The Fisher King is the third episode of the seventh series of Midsomer Murders and originally aired 18th January 2004.
Over 30 years ago, archaeologist Paul Heartley-Reade claimed to have found a Celtic spear and chalice in Midsomer Barrow. The relics vanished and there has over the years been extensive debate in academic circles about the find. When the spear is used to kill Gareth Heldman, Barnaby and Sergeant Scott find themselves investigating several local villagers including Harry Green who was fed up with Gareth's advances toward his girlfriend, Vanessa Stone, who had a disagreement with Gareth when he threatened to pull out of a business deal. When a second murder is committed, the police start to unravel a complex web of interrelationships among virtually all of the suspects.
Tropes:
- Conspicuous Gloves: Per Hanson wears white gloves that he claims he wears because he has eczema as a result of too many years grubbing about in the earth. He actually wears them to conceal burn scars that might give awy his true identity.
- A Fête Worse than Death: David Heartley-Reade is murdered during the Solstice Ceremony. David climbs to the top of the barrow and readies his arrow to fly. Barnaby tells Joyce, "He's adding his light to the sun's. He thinks it'll give him power to save his marriage." David shoots his arrow at the sun and someone shoots an arrow into his back.
- Revealing Injury: Barnaby identifies Per Hanson as really being Paul Heartley-Reade after seeing him without his gloves.Surgery may have given you a new face but you don't have eczema, do you? And you didn't want to get your gloves dirty while you ate your hot dog. Because your hands are still scarred from the burns when your car caught fire.
