Beyond the Grave is the fourth episode of the third series of Midsomer Murders and originally aired on 5th February 2000.
Barnaby and Troy are called in to investigate at the museum in Aspen Tallow when the painting of a local historical figure, Jonathan Lowrie, is slashed. When the museum's curator is subsequently assaulted and Lowrie's direct descendant is murdered, the detectives must unravel another mysterious knot. Barnaby does focus on one important clue, however: a packet of smoked mackerel inadvertently dropped in the cemetery. Meanwhile, they are joined by Nico, Cully's actor boyfriend, who has landed a part in a TV series as a detective sergeant.
Tropes:
- Amicable Exes: Alan Bradford and Sandra Mackillop were earlier in a relationship and in the episode they are friendly to each other and working together. Probably helps that Alan never was attracted to Sandra, since he's gay.
- Cramming the Coffin: The 'body buried in the grave beneath a coffin' variant is used.
- Gaslighting: Sandra Mackillop goes through this, due to her brother-in-law and her therapist conspiring to make her think she's going insane and seeing her husband's ghost.
- Oh, Crap!: Barnaby and Troy's reaction when they learn that Ralph Bailey, a escaped murderer, is hiding at Jim Tate's cottage, which Cully and Nico (Cully's actor boyfriend) are on their way to to search for clues.
- Robbing the Dead: An inscription on his grave points to Jonathan Lowrie being buried with the family silver, leading several people to try and open the grave to get the silver, including one of his descendants.
- Tag-Along Actor: Cully's actor boyfriend rides along with Barnaby and Jones to research the role of a detective sergeant. It's a comment of his that gives Barnaby the "Eureka!" Moment.
