Bergerac | Episode 1 - PBS

A member of one of Jersey’s wealthiest families is murdered.

A member of one of Jersey’s wealthiest families is murdered.

When a member of one of Jersey’s wealthiest families is murdered, Chief of Police Uma Dalal wants their best detective on the case. Patriarch Arthur Wakefield is keeping his cards close to his chest, while a man from Bergerac’s past surfaces to make a shocking accusation. Will Bergerac be able to solve the crime and stay on track?

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When a member of one of Jersey’s wealthiest families is murdered, Chief of Police Uma Dalal wants their best detective on the case. Patriarch Arthur Wakefield is keeping his cards close to his chest, while a man from Bergerac’s past surfaces to make a shocking accusation. Will Bergerac be able to solve the crime and stay on track?

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Before you submit an error, please consult our Video Help page.

Bergerac is available to stream on pbs.org and the PBS app.

JIM: They talk about the five stages of grief.

[operatic singing] I think that's a myth.

Or maybe it's the same five and I'm-- I'm caught in this loop, going through the same ones over and over again.

[operatic singing continues] And, of course, what drink does, what drink did, was flatten it out.

- [objects clanging] - [woman] Stop!

[woman grunting, exclaiming] ♪♪♪ [woman] No!

Because love doesn't end with death.

For this part of our marriage, I'm absent.

[crying] I drank because it hurt too much.

I've stopped because it's meant to.

[applause] Thanks for listening, folks.

[dark music] [phone buzzing] [phone buzzing] Jim Bergerac.

She was having a meal in a restaurant.

They think it's a bit odd, 14-year-old kid on her own, but whatever.

Then the bill comes and she tries to do a runner.

So, called you, but you were unavailable.

She got bored after a bit, so gave us the number of her grandmother, and she-- Oh, God, don't tell me-- CHARLIE: So kind of you to pop by.

Anyway, I'll take things from here.

I'd like to make sure my granddaughter's all right.

Now, did you drive, or do you need a thing for the car park?

After your next meeting, buy a packet of mints.

Look... we've been through something unimaginable, after which a period of adjustment is to be expected, but this?

Keep things in perspective, shall we?

Who has been arrested and is now in a cell, apparently next to somebody called Vegas.

As soon as you stop talking, I will deal with it.

Uh, it's because you don't work here any-- You're on leave, so the thing doesn't... Uh, hang on, I'll make you a guest pass.

You think-- you think because you're my daughter that I just say the word and this gets forgotten?

Well, just tell them I'm acting out.

I mean, this is just so unnecessary.

Did they tell you what restaurant it was?

- Where we'd all go to-- - No, I know.

[gentle music] Listen, let's-- let's just-- Can we just stick a pin in it?

- Well, I'm saying that-- I'm-- I'm just, I'm saying... one thing at a time.

I'd like to stay with Granny for the weekend.

But, uh, no, uh... You need some space, you know?

That's-- that's actually a really good plan.

- [dog barking] - [birds chirping] [grunting] [dramatic music] ♪♪♪ ♪♪♪ [tense music] REPORTER: Returning to our top story, the body discovered by police at St.

Brelade's Bay has now been identified as that of Kate Wakefield.

Reporters spoke earlier to Chief Constable Uma Dalal.

REPORTER 2: Chief Constable, is this a murder inquiry?

I am not in a position to release any more details at this time.

Security police don't have much experience in crimes of this nature.

You sure your officers have the necessary skill set?

Serious crimes of this nature are rare, that's true.

But the team will be working tirelessly to bring this matter to a swift conclusion.

Oh, I wasn't sure what you needed, so I grabbed, uh... - everything.

Oh, my God, my bed is so comfy, and Grandma made me an omelet this morning and it was amazing.

Well, maybe I should-- I should come and stay.

JIM: I-- Well, I'll come and pick you up on Monday.

We have decided that Kim should stay here indefinitely until you are in a position to better help her process what has happened.

She needs an environment that is calmer.

Yeah, no, the last few months have been... But, yeah, I know I'm turning a corner.

I don't know if you saw on the news, the, uh-- the body they found at St.

You're going to be investigating that?

Uh, it happened very-- They've asked me to lead.

That feels like a... big step, Dad.

This is a new-- It's a new chapter.

And then-- You know, then you can come back.

Well... no, there's something else.

Yeah, well, we do... - talk about her.

I mean, it's weird that you think that, but, uh, you know, of course, we will.

♪♪♪ Sorry, Jim, she's actually just really busy - just at the moment.

No, I was just passing and Wendy said you could squeeze me in.

I'm just drafting a brief to the minister.

Can we set something up for next week?

You said you've assembled your team.

He did a good job standing in for you.

Though, obviously, he's not had to deal with anything like this.

I mean, at the start of an investigation, there's established protocols.

You know, my concern would be when it's up and running, because then it becomes about instincts.

Well, it's been seven, eight months now, and, um, nobody's denying I've-- I'm doing okay.

A high-profile victim, it's a different game.

Minister starts breathing down your neck.

You need someone with experience who can bring this in quickly.

I'll make a referral to Occupational Health.

I'm not just going to drop this on him.

[melancholy music] [phone buzzing] ♪♪♪ [inhales, exhales] Jim!

My God, it's so bloody good to see you.

Look, uh, I just wanna say, again, how sorry I am.

I'll be honest, I'm not thrilled about this as a process.

I mean, you were head of crime services, then I was.

And now you're back, but you're not back-back.

So, victim is Kate Wakefield, 26, married to Julian Wakefield, 30, and daughter-in-law of Arthur Wakefield, CEO of AWE.

That's Arthur Wakefield Engineering.

They and Kate's baby daughter, Lily, are all resident at Arthur's house in St.

AWE's brand is ethical practices, environmentally friendly materials.

Arthur's on various planning boards, advisory panels, governmental bodies.

They're popular, connected, and as far as we can see, clean.

Lily's nanny, Mia, 31, Portuguese, and Margaret Heaton, Arthur's chief of staff.

So, last night, Arthur, Julian, and Margaret attended a charity event at the opera house.

- Kate was meant to go, but she had a headache, stayed home with Lily.

60-plus witnesses, reams of mobile footage showing them arriving at 8:00 and then returning home about two and a half hours later.

And the statements from all three say they returned home at 11:00 to find the annex door hanging open.

Upstairs, they found Kate dead with severe head wounds.

House like this must have security-- Cameras up the wazoo, but the, uh-- the system's been down for a couple of weeks due to a dispute with the company that installed it.

Minds are open, but everything points to burglary gone wrong.

Thief or thieves are interrupted by Kate, reach for the first thing that comes to hand.

That's where it all gets a little bit Cluedo.

Kate takes two blows, one to the temple, one to the back of the skull.

It's gone to forensics, but we're not holding out too much hope for prints.

There were some blood traces, but they were smeared, which would suggest that the murderer wiped it clean afterwards.

Okay, first we need to establish who knew there was no CCTV.

I'm putting a list together now, including employees of the company that Arthur's in dispute with.

We need the names of the Wakefields' current and ex-employees, household and business.

And anyone who's applied for work with them but been refused.

All right, shall we head to the house, guys?

[dramatic orchestral music] [car horn honking] WOMAN: Excuse me, excuse me.

[overlapping shouting] Well, well, well.

Did you see who was in the passenger seat?

Maybe that's why they were late getting here.

Had to search every pub in Jersey to find him.

- He's gonna be like, "I should probably just check on your wine cellar."

Detective Inspector Barney Crozier.

Let me introduce Detective Chief Inspector Jim Bergerac.

Uh, this opera gala night that you were at, Kate was planning to go with you, but she developed a headache.

So, who knew about the change of plan?

[scoffs] I didn't think a woman with a headache merited a press release, actually.

I hear you're in dispute with the company that installed your security system.

Yeah, well, when they realized who I was, a lot of extra costs suddenly started to magically appear.

It's a long time to leave your home unprotected, Mr.

You know, I thought protecting the public was your job, Inspector.

Yeah, that did sound a smidge like victim-blaming there, Jimbo.

Didn't we all have to do a course on that?

- All right, come on, - I'll show you the scene.

So, I have an understanding of what you're going through.

There's something I wish someone had told me when-- when I was where you are.

There's a temptation to destroy everything, including you.

I get a bit sick of these tired old hacks.

Solved the Armstrong kidnapping ten years ago.

Tracked down the girl to a basement.

From that, worked out she'd been kidnapped by this guy John Blakely.

Sure enough, found her DNA in his car.

Blakely gets ten years, Bergerac gets a medal.

First of three commendations and the start of a glittering career.

Then, six months ago, his wife dies.

He's put on compassionate leave, hence the drinking.

Twenty minutes ago, you didn't know who he was.

Just shoved in there like someone packed in a hurry.

I take it that's not the candlestick?

You want me to play devil's advocate, right?

These jeweled egg things, someone could easily stuff them in a bag or a pocket as they go past.

You reach the top, your eyes are drawn this way to the bedrooms.

But no, you go that way to the nursery.

What are-- what are you gonna find in there?

Wait, what thief takes things on the way in?

It's pitch black, they're confronted by Kate.

She scrambles back, yells for help, they follow her in, try to shut her up.

JIM: No, before it was used on Kate.

I'm guessing on the opposite side of this little island.

So yeah, they're in the doorway trying to shut Kate up.

I'm not saying that it wasn't burglary gone wrong.

I'm saying let's not exclude everything else.

Wakefield's principal private secretary.

Uh, there's a bag packed in the nursery.

and his wife are away for the night, Mia will take Miss Lily back to her own apartment.

Okay, do you know where Mia is now?

I believe she's already been interviewed.

He'd also like to ask you a few questions.

I know what a difficult time this is.

Um... was there anything else, Margaret?

Oh, I just thought if there's anything Mia can't answer.

Kate and Julian had a lot of engagements.

Some days, I couldn't wait up for them to return, so... I would take Lily home.

MIA: I was going to, so that... Kate could go to that opera thing, but... She changed her mind, stayed home.

Right, because in the nursery there is, um... there's like a little bag with baby clothes in it.

Kate must have just forgotten to unpack it.

How are things between Kate and her father-in-law?

And between Kate and-- and Margaret?

MARGARET: Have you shown them the letters?

Who knew about the CCTV being down?

Aside from myself, you, and Julian.

Kate could have told someone, I suppose, but other than the staff, there's no one.

But this is-- Have you shown them the letters?

[loudly] This has noth-- [quietly] This has nothing to do with the damn letters.

I'm Detective Inspector Barney Crozier.

last night, a young woman was killed.

She has been identified as Kate Wakefield.

Uh, Chief Inspector Bergerac, have you identified a prime suspect?

As you can see, Jim Bergerac is assisting us on the case.

- We're asking-- - Are you sure you should be involved in such a serious case, Mr.

I'm not sure I understand the question.

Well, have you had to reassure the family that you'll be able to stay focused?

We're incredibly lucky to have someone with Jim's experience on the team.

Anyone with any information should contact police immediately.

- [reporters clamoring] Jesus, was that a reference to your wife?

Well, someone had to tell the burglar there was no CCTV.

I thought we agreed that the burglar was just one option.

Um, she thinks Kate packed it before she changed her mind about going to the opera.

I want you to go through all the calls to the incident room, give 'em a ring, see if there's anything worth chasing up.

Normally you get a TC to do that, and 99% of those calls are bullshit.

Besides... you want to enhance, don't you?

Individuals who applied to work for Wakefield's company but were rejected.

When sorrows come, they come not as single spies, but in battalions.

I've asked him to look through the call logs.

- I need to tell him about this, - he was the one who-- - Whoa, whoa.

That's just a name on a list for now, yeah?

If he sees that, he's gonna get distracted, so why don't we keep this between us?

In the meantime, you look into his movements last night.

Hi, this is Detective Chief Inspector Jim Bergerac.

You left a message saying you had some information which may assist us in our investigation.

I'm not sure if it's any help, but last night, I had this dream... [dialing] MAN: I think it was the husband.

I just think he looks - really shifty.

- [pen scribbling] [line ringing] MAN 2: Actually, it's not about that.

It's about the bastard upstairs and his bastard flamenco.

The, uh-- the name you wanted checking out.

So put that bit on high priority and that bit on medium priority.

Uh, Pete Benedict, your new counselor.

Look, I mean, we're not scheduled to start until tomorrow and I was just passing by.

Yeah, look, tomorrow's not great, but, um, when things calm down, I'll give you a call and we can sort something out.

Look, this is a mandatory stipulation of your involvement in the case.

Listen, no offense, Pete-- Already love where this is going.

I only agreed to this to appease Uma.

Not because I need it, because I'm actually here to solve a fucking murder.

But fine, I feel like it's all getting too much, I'll give you a call.

Nothing of any use on the call log.

[soft, inquisitive music] [dramatic music] Someone to see you, John.

JIM: Life on the outside treating well, John?

JOHN: Oh, it's not without its challenges.

I need to know your whereabouts between 8:00 p.m.

Around the time the Wakefield girl died, right?

This is gonna be a regular thing, then.

Every time there's a major crime on the island, I can expect a visit from you.

Except we both know that I don't have an offending profile.

Two weeks after you were released, you applied for work on a Wakefield construction site.

Oh, I don't like to dwell on these things.

Get rid of all bitterness, rage, and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice.

JOHN: Oh, there's a lot of time to kill in prison.

And with His light came the power to forgive.

Although some days are easier than others.

You sang the same fucking song all through your trial.

To God's plan in my case, and to the truth in yours.

Tell me where you were last night, John... and you won't see me again.

In light of recent events, I'm afraid we'll be letting you go.

You'll see it's just above the NDA clause.

I believe you have a set of keys to Mrs.

When I spoke to the policeman, I didn't say a word.

[Lily crying] When Barney and I visited the crime scene this morning, in the nursery we found a small bag of clean baby clothes which looked like they'd been gathered in a hurry and shoved in a bag.

On the way into the nursery, there were several small, expensive items, all left untouched.

We've been looking at this all wrong.

Kate wasn't killed because she walked in on a burglary, but an attempted abduction of Lily Wakefield.

It could be a business rival, a former member of staff, someone with a grudge.

It's a long list, but one name really sprang out.

Now, for some of you, this was before your time, so a bit of background.

John didn't pop onto our radar until his early 20s.

Credit card fraud, one count of resisting arrest.

He got a job at a building site as a joiner and he calmed down for a bit.

But then he gets sacked after getting into a fight, and so he kidnapped the 14-year-old daughter of the construction company's CEO.

What Jim is too modest to mention is that he found the girl and he brought John to justice.

John was sentenced to 15 years, released after 10 on parole, then he applies for a job at a building site run by guess who?

His application is rejected out of hand, then an ANPR camera picks up a car registered to John Blakely half a mile from the Wakefields' house at the time of the crime.

Now, look, this afternoon, I spoke to John at work.

But for someone with John's history, a rejection like that from Arthur Wakefield's company is all it would take.

Bit of a coincidence that your crime suspect is your famous collar.

That kidnapping's not the only crime I've solved, Barney.

And with your wealth of police experience, you don't need me to remind you that you pitching up at John's work like that, I mean, that could be seen as harassment.

We're going full bells and whistles on this one.

[overlapping chatter] ♪♪♪ What do you reckon?

Detective Chief Inspector Jim Bergerac leading, along with DC Steve Hobson.

JIM: You work at Winsford's Boatyard.

This is a work placement since your release - from La Moye Prison.

What time did you leave work last night?

I drove three of my colleagues, including my boss, Tom Wisford, to a pub on La Rue De La Falaise.

And having dropped your colleagues, what did you do then?

Zagreb is the capital city of which country?

At which point, I drove my colleagues to their respective homes.

Kate Wakefield was murdered around 9:00 p.m., wasn't she?

Would've taken five minutes to find that out.

WOMAN OVER PA: Hundreds of customers live... ♪ You stretched for the stars and you know how it feels ♪ ♪ To reach too high ♪ ♪ Too far ♪ ♪ Too soon ♪ REPORTER: Police haven't shared any further information at this time, but local sources have named - Mr.

Blakely was convicted of child abduction after a high-profile police investigation ten years ago.

But his arrest and subsequent release are something of an embarrassment for the polic, and questions are already being asked about their handling of the inquiry.

[dramatic music] ♪♪♪ ♪♪♪ Jesus, no.

Join Judith, Suzie, and Becks as they race against the clock to stop a killer in their tracks.

Professor Tempest and the police return to solve more complex and intriguing crimes.