Mike and Bellamy uncover a heartbreaking tale of domestic abuse and family tragedy when they investigate a spate of unusual burglaries and learn that money can't buy a person happiness. Meanwhile, Vernon experiments with hypnotism when he tries to put an end to Gina's arachnophobia, but it soon backfires and has a very strange after-effect on David, while Merton and Jenny discover a mutual love of jazz.

Merton and Mike are left to pick up the pieces when a bankrupt farmer heads into Aidensfield to air his grievances in a memorable way when he is abandoned by everyone closest. Meanwhile, David's Auntie Beth's horseradish sauce becomes the subject of Vernon's latest get-rich-quick scheme, whilst Blaketon's warnings fall on deaf ear when Gina begins a whirlwind romance with a dangerous criminal.