The BEST episodes of Heartbeat
Every episode of Heartbeat ever, ranked from best to worst by thousands of votes from fans of the show. The best episodes of Heartbeat!
Heartbeat is based on the Constable books by Nicholas Rhea, set in the fictional 1960s Yorkshire town of Aidensfield. The first seasons focus on the lives of London policeman Nick Rowan, who moves to the village with his doctor wife Kate. Nick's police colleagues feature in the series, under the leadership of the crusty but kindhearted Sergeant Blaketon. Blaketon's nemesis is Claude Jeremiah Greengrass, poacher and occasional small-time fence. Greengrass is a regular patron of the Aidensfield Arms hotel, run by George Ward and his pretty niece Gina. It's here at the pub that we see much of the day-to-day social interaction in the series.
#1 - Difficult Times
Season 13 - Episode 18 - Aired 4/18/2004
Dennis Merton is called to Ranby Hall to investigate the sudden death of racing driver Jack Maclean from a massive insulin overdose while he was under the care of Liz Merrick and Dennis's wife, Jenny. Meanwhile Vernon bumps into an old friend who offers him a gilt-edged business opportunity which leads him into serious trouble.
#5 - Brought to Book
Season 13 - Episode 8 - Aired 11/2/2003
Steve tries his hand at community policing when he takes a group of troublesome lads on an outward bound course. Vernon tries to get involved with Eastern mysticism when a visiting guru needs premises for a meditation course.
Watch Now:Amazon#6 - State of Mind
Season 13 - Episode 9 - Aired 11/9/2003
An elderly man appears to be losing his mind, but Steve and Liz are determined to prove that he doesn't need to go into a home. Vernon is frustrated when he's called to jury service, leaving David with an impossible work schedule to juggle.
Watch Now:Amazon#9 - The Dear Departed
Season 13 - Episode 12 - Aired 3/7/2004
A recently widowed woman arrives in Aidensfield wanting to bury her late husband in the family grave, but the dead man's brother refuses to co-operate because of an old feud. Vernon and David pay a visit, hoping to persuade him otherwise - only to find themselves held at gunpoint - and when it emerges the coffin is full of money and the deceased is alive and well, a shocking case of fraud is uncovered. Meanwhile, Oscar is among the locals under suspicion when a widely disliked, hardened criminal returns to the village - and soon ends up murdered.
#10 - One Thing Leads to Another
Season 13 - Episode 16 - Aired 4/4/2004
After a petty thief is hurt in a car crash, Crane discovers that Merton's wife Jenny is involved in one of his shady schemes. Meanwhile, Liz is given a surprising offer when she tries to help a sick man regain his job, and David, Bernie and Vernon enter the Ashfordly Gazette poetry competion.
#11 - No Hard Feelings
Season 13 - Episode 17 - Aired 4/11/2004
Crane and Merton have their hands full when a sniper strikes during a clay-pigeon shoot, and Bellamy's fiery temper only serves to make matters worse. Elsewhere, Vernon decides to venture into the bed-and-breakfast market - but his cooking skills leave a lot to be desired.
#12 - The Leopard's Spots
Season 11 - Episode 13 - Aired 1/20/2002
Sgt. Merton, freshly demoted from CID, arrives at the police station to take on the new roll as Sergeant. When Ventress brings a disqualified driver in, Alf is threatned if he takes the further, the driver will reveal his past. Oscar presuades Alf to come clean, and Merton is understanding. The driver is later arrested on a drugs case. David attempts to get fit at a gymn, but things don't go too smoothly.
#13 - Swan Song
Season 13 - Episode 20 - Aired 5/2/2004
Alf Ventress is stunned to learn that a change in working regulations means that he will have to retire from the force. Meanwhile, Merton and his team go in search of a phantom sheep shearer, and romance is in the air as Blaketon acquires an admirer and Gina is asked out on a date by hunky Australian Kevin Kelly.
#14 - Strangers on a Train
Season 13 - Episode 21 - Aired 5/9/2004
David has a near miss when a man is thrown from a train and rolls down the embankment into the road and the path of his oncoming car. Merton's subsequent investigation turns up a lad called Tommy fleeing the scene of the crime, and a thieving auctioneer about to make off with some valuable antiques. Meanwhile, Vernon decides to open up a donkey sanctuary and Ventress takes up a civilian administration post at the police station.
#15 - A Call to Arms
Season 13 - Episode 22 - Aired 5/16/2004
When Harry Hawkswell, a retired policeman and former colleague of Alf Ventress, turns up in the village he manages to put everyone's backs up by making himself a little too much at home at the police station. Meanwhile, Vernon is in a state of panic as he awaits a visit from the Inland Revenue, and Liz Merrick is confused by Ben Norton's behaviour.
#16 - Friends and Relations
Season 14 - Episode 19 - Aired 4/17/2005
Clare finds herself under suspicion when a wild party ends in tragedy with a drugs-related death, and Miller is annoyed to have to reprimand Walker once again when he discovers his participation in the drunken revelling. David is put in a tricky situation when his Aunt Peggy arrives in Aidensfield and sets up an illegal vodka still, while Ventress is quick to reveal the newcomer's dubious history to Oscar and Gina.
#17 - The Good Samaritan
Season 15 - Episode 8 - Aired 11/13/2005
Walker investigates when sibling rivalry and greed result in a fatal car crash. A devout couple are faced with money problems when their baby is diagnosed with a life-threatening condition. Meanwhile, Peggy is up to her usual tricks as she frightens some holiday-makers, and Jack and Gina get a scare whilst creating a picture of the moors when it starts to rain.
Watch Now:Amazon
#18 - Auld Acquaintance
Season 15 - Episode 12 - Aired 12/18/2005
The police are on high alert when a mysterious visitor arrives at Ashfordly Hall, and a runaway boy causes trouble in the village. Blaketon and Peggy are at loggerheads once again when a festive conflict of interest results in a Santa showdown.
Watch Now:Amazon
#19 - Living With The Past
Season 15 - Episode 13 - Aired 1/1/2006
Convicted murderer Henry Stoddard's release from prison coincides with a spate of vandalism, and locals presume he is responsible for the petty crime. But when the former jailbird insists he did not kill PC Machin all those years ago, Walker reopens the case and races to stop Machin's son exacting revenge. Meanwhile, Peggy sees the chance to make some money when her birth certificate suggests she is related to Lord Ashfordly.
Watch Now:Amazon
#20 - Wine And Roses
Season 15 - Episode 21 - Aired 5/21/2006
A dead body is found in the river. This puts Debbie Bellamy under suspicion as witnesses describe her fleeing the scene. David and Peggy are invaded by hippies. Rob and Helen attempt to make friends again and patch things up. Rob proposes to Helen.
Watch Now:Amazon
#21 - Keeping Secrets
Season 15 - Episode 23 - Aired 6/4/2006
It is Helen and Rob's wedding day and Rob does not know that his sisters have organised a surprise reception with the help of the local community. There are persistent noisy neighbour complaints and the police are called in. However, things soon take a nasty turn when the complainant's mentally ill wife decides to take the law into her own hands. Gina discovers that Jack's nude painting of her is to go on public display, she gets help from Rosie to burn the portrait, Jack therefore apologises to Gina but she tells him its too late and its over between them.
Watch Now:Amazon#22 - Closing the Book
Season 11 - Episode 12 - Aired 1/13/2002
A man dies of a heart attack on the village green. The police invesitgate a robbery of banknotes from the station. The theives hire & use a holiday caravan of Vernons, as a get away. However its not long before the caravan breaks down and the notes are discovered Craddocks wife, meanwhile, has turned up in Aidensfield and when he tells her that she matters more than his career, they decide to make up and leave Aidensfield together.
#25 - The Great Ming Mystery
Season 11 - Episode 15 - Aired 2/3/2002
The owner of a large house has recently acquired a ming varse. While he is on holiday, David looks after the house, however he leaves after he learns some other people have moved in. It turns out they are responsible for the missing vase.