The Killings at Badger's Drift

The Killings at Badgers drift is a brilliant pilot episode. The locations used for filming have that old nostalgic feel as though you've stepped back in time a little, country cottages, country mansions, suspects including the local doctor, gamekeeper, etc. Barnaby is shown to be a fairly realistic depiction of a detective, a loving husband and father who doesn't drink himself silly or get into exciting car chases or anything. Troy is also a good sidekick for him. The range of slightly Eccentric characters is well done without pushing it and it's all really well and nicely acted. There is a slightly dark undertone to the plot but it's nicely balanced. The story has just the right amount of pacing that it never feels rushed or like it's dragging. The formula they established here would go on to serve them well.

Hard to believe, but after 16 years, Midsomer Murders is still in production, now with a new star, Neil Dudgeon, who plays the original Inspector Barnaby's cousin. John Nettles left the show in 2011, at the age of 68, and appears to have retired, as has his character.

"The Killing at Badger's Drift," from 1997, was a good start to the series - a good, dark story that introduces the audience to Barnaby and his assistant at that time, Sgt Gavin Troy (Daniel Casey).

When an elderly woman is found dead in her home, it looks like it could have been an accident. On further investigation, though, it seems as though she was murdered. She had called a helpline after returning from a sojourn in the woods, where she was looking for a particular orchid, and then she made a call that wasn't completed. Her neighbor believes she was murdered because she didn't padlock her bicycle, and she slammed her door, which she never did.

The helpline operator is unable to tell Barnaby and Troy much, except that the woman was upset and said, "Just like poor Annabella." Who is Annabella? They don't know.

Two other murders follow, and soon the case involves not only murder but blackmail, false alibis, a previous accident that perhaps wasn't one, a confession, and something else extremely unpalatable and unexpected.

In this episode, we're also introduced to Barnaby's wife Joyce (Jane Wymark) and his daughter, aspiring actress Cully (Laura Howard).

Daniel Casey left the series in 2003, but shows up for Cully's wedding in 2008. I've always had a soft spot for him, maybe because he was Barnaby's first partner.

I love this series, and this was a great beginning.

Midsomer Murders is one of my favorite detective shows, it's just great in virtually everything. I love it for its color, rustic atmosphere, bright characters, humor, intriguing stories, originality, creepy music and wonderful main characters. "The Killings at Badger's Drift" is a good episode and one of the best starts in the detective genre. Most TV series and, consequently, their pilots, do not do without a finding-its-feet feel, but not Midsomer Murders and not "The Killings at Badgers Drift". The plot of this episode is quite intriguing, quite twisted, although it does not do without a few nonsense and stretch. In this episode, a whole host of colorful characters, namely: Iris and Dennis Rainbird, Lucy Bellringer and Phyllis Cadell, all brilliantly played and superbly written. The atmosphere is great, creating a truly classic episode of such a great show. The music is perfect, both the main theme and the rustic composition at the beginning. However, even such a seemingly exceptional episode is not without its drawbacks. I frankly did not like one of the final moves, which was quite unpleasant, and there are a lot of plot stretches and nonsense. However, I can't say that this episode is annoying or objectionable, because there are too many great things in it. I also love the last few minutes of the series so much, when Barnaby is in the theater, it's really great, and it gave me goosebumps. All in all, a great, if not perfect episode, and one of the best starts that can be. 9/10

I have known about Midsomer for over 20 years, and I have watched the odd episode every now and then and really enjoyed it. it was purely coincidence that I came across this first episode and series link it so I could watch every episode in order. This first episode is great, really good introduction to all the characters and a great storyline. I am now looking forward to watching each episode in order over the summer months

The saddest thing about this first episode is the question: How will they match the first one. The case is as complex as it can get. An elderly lady is out looking for a wild orchid species to photograph when she sees something. She is stunned and gets on her adult tricycle and scoots back home. She manages to make a phone call, but soon someone is at her door and it results in her death. She has been bludgeoned. Soon we are in the middle of a gaggle of characters from a young gay undertaker who lives with his snooping/blackmailing mother. A doctor who has a wife who is sleeping all over the place and spending all his money. A wealthy family whose mother has been killed during a quail hunt and where an older man in a wheelchair is going to marry his beautiful young Ward. I'm not scratching the surface of the intrigues that are going on. We are also introduced to DCI Barnaby and Sgt. Troy (his less than stellar partner). It is Barnaby who is the brains of the outfit. He is insightful and thorough, frequently giving of his time to search down leads. Of course, hardly anyone is forthcoming. I had heard about this series for years and am glad I am embarking on the journey.