I recently started watching the long-running TV series Midsomer Murders on Netflix. The main character Chief Inspector Tom Barnaby is very dedicated to his job and capturing the murder(s). He is excellent at his job. While on a murder case he is very focused on his work, 24/7 until the murders(s) are caught and charged.
Chief Inspector Barnaby loves his job. It gives him purpose. He coaches and trains his sergeants to be dedicated, knowledgeable, reliable and very good detectives.
Trust is something hard to win, easy to lose and never to be taken lightly. ~ Chief Inspector Tom Barnaby, Midsomer Murders
In one episode Sargeant Dan Scott was getting rough with a suspect. After the incident and they were both alone in the vehicle Chief Inspector Barnaby told Sgt. Scott, you will not conduct yourself like that ever again under my watch. As a leader, Inspector Barnaby is not afraid to address bad behavior with his employees.
Do you see a lesson in this? ~ Chief Inspector Tom Barnaby, Midsomer Murders
Due to Chief Inspector Barnaby’s dedication to his job, he ends up disappointing his wife Joyce continuously. He is a good man. He loves his wife, but his job always comes first. He does have a habit of not showing up when working a murder case.
He will set up dinner dates with his wife while he is still investigating his case. He may even take her to a restaurant and be watching a suspect. Joyce will get up early to cook him breakfast and usually he rushes out without eating her prepared meal. They will plan on meeting up for a party or some other occasion and he either arrives late or not at all.
The cleverest lies are those were already inclined to believe. ~ Chief Inspector Tom Barnaby, Midsomer Murders
Joyce wants to spend more quality time with her husband, but he is always on the job 24/7. Does any of this sound familiar?
In one episode, Chief Inspector Barnaby was suppose to meet his wife Joyce at home and go with her to a party. He didn’t show up and Joyce went without him and had a wonderful time. He was locked in a cellar with Sgt. Scott all night and she didn’t even realize he didn’t come home. I think it surprised him that she wasn’t even worried about him.
In another episode, Joyce and his daughter Cully wanted to purchase a houseboat. Thinking a houseboat would create more family time together. The houseboat Joyce and Cully were looking at turned out to be the killers. No houseboat was purchased.
In another episode, Joyce wanted Chief Inspector Barnaby to start planning for his retirement and to become a mystery writer. She thought he would make more money and be around more. It wasn’t Chief Inspector Barnaby’s idea of retirement after the murder investigation.
What now? I’m going to have my cake and eat it.~ Chief Inspector Tom Barnaby, Midsomer Murders
In the TV show Chief Inspector Tom Barnaby is considered a family man. When he does arrive home for dinner, he is usually called out again.
How does his marriage survive? No work-life balance here!
Of course, he is a fictional character.
Do you think this is why he is still in a relationship?
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This blog reminded me about my dad a complete workaholic and too be honest i can be a little to lol. Believe me it drives my mum crazy and can drive a lot of my siblings partners crazy too. A bit of a family trait lol
Hi, Eileen – Yes, I am a workaholic as well. I have to create boundaries so I am not over the top and driving my family crazy. There is nothing wrong with loving your job and being a hard worker. 🙂 Just having some work-life strategies and spending quality time with love ones is important. Thank you so much for sharing. 🙂 I really like Chief Inspector Tom Barnaby and enjoy watching how he tries to balance his family life by taking them to functions where he is watching potential suspects.