Barnaby and Scott are drawn into an investigation concerning a barman at a Midsomer Worthy pub, Maid in Splendor. The young man was Jamie Cruikshank. The bar has changed hands amid some controversy: it's now owned by Stephen Bannerman, a property developer, who wants to make the local hangout more high end. The pub previously belonged to his father, Michael, who didn't approve of Stephen' plans. He also didn't approve of Stephen's affair with Bella Monday, the daughter of his lifelong friend Audrey.
Then Stephen is killed, and Barnaby wonders if Cruickshank's death was a mistake.
Good episode, and a dark one, literally as well as figuratively as there are a lot of night scenes. As usual, the locations are beautiful. Scott is much different from Troy, Barnaby's old partner. Where Troy was more subtle about his desire for various members of the opposite sex, Scott is an open flirt who drives Barnaby crazy. I like the interaction between the two; it can get very spirited.
A fine episode, and a rather sad one.