Death of a Stranger is a truly great early episode. I can remember this one when it first went out on New Year's Eve 1999, the opening scenes of The Barnaby's sat enjoying lunch, they had cemented themselves as firm favourites. The mystery that followed was particularly good. For me, it's the show at its best, some huge characters, a poignant story, a dramatic conclusion, and some fun at the expense of Joyce's cooking.
We get some huge characters, Linda Wagstaff, Ron Pringle and James Fitzroy. The performances are terrific, James Bolam was great as the slightly bumbling ex Detective desperate for a different life, and to pull one over on Barnaby, Jeanne Hepple is wonderful also as Linda Wagstaff, the very zany woman living in a Railway carriage.
I think they hit on the exact perception many people outside of the UK have about middle England, Range Rovers, infidelity, Fox hunting, poachers, and slightly odd people living in strange forest dwellings. It showcases some wonderful eccentric characters, when in reality here, the killer comes from an unlikely source, someone who seems normal throughout.
They don't make them this good anymore sadly. 9/10
We get some huge characters, Linda Wagstaff, Ron Pringle and James Fitzroy. The performances are terrific, James Bolam was great as the slightly bumbling ex Detective desperate for a different life, and to pull one over on Barnaby, Jeanne Hepple is wonderful also as Linda Wagstaff, the very zany woman living in a Railway carriage.
I think they hit on the exact perception many people outside of the UK have about middle England, Range Rovers, infidelity, Fox hunting, poachers, and slightly odd people living in strange forest dwellings. It showcases some wonderful eccentric characters, when in reality here, the killer comes from an unlikely source, someone who seems normal throughout.
They don't make them this good anymore sadly. 9/10