The Killings at Badger's Drift

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 never been disappointed with any of the mysteries from across the "POND". The plots are always so unique and absorbing. The acting is always superb making you feel as if you were actually there. Some of the dialects can be such that it is imperative that one is not distracted whilst viewing. I must admit I get so absorbed that nothing can cause me to be distracted. This particular offering is another masterpiece and certainly maintains the standard which we are accustomed to.

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.

I can't believe this was done back in 1997, how young to Barnaby and Troy look!!

In brief (without giving the game away) Emily Simpson is found murdered at her Cottage after witnessing something going on in the woods whilst searching for rare flowers. DCI Tom Barnaby, and his young Sergeant, Troy are called in to investigate, there is no shortage of suspects in the neighbourhood.

We get to know more about Tom Barnaby, we meet his wife and wannabe cook Joyce, and their daughter Cully.

Overall this is an excellent episode, some of these earlier episodes were so gloriously written, the characterisations were big, and somehow easily recognisable.

Renee Asherson although only a small part for her is excellent as Emily Simpson, as is fellow old lady Lucy Bellringer played by Rosalie Crutchley, who sadly died soon after this went out.

The Rainbirds are a great double act, Richard Cant and Elizabeth Spriggs bring some welcome humour, they bounce of each other brilliantly, no wonder they would both return in 2006's Dead Letters. I've mentioned a few cast members already, but there is a host of acting talent here, Jessica Hynes, Emily Mortimer, Jonathan Firth, Selina Cadell. It's a wonderful cast.

Midsomer Murders boasts one of the best theme tunes of all time, it's haunting melody is perfect for a Murder mystery.

Clearly The Killings at Badger's Drift worked, at now in 2015 the series is still going strong. It stands up to the tests of time very well, only Daniel Casey's curtains really give the game away.

I applaud the Killings at Badger's drift, it's a dark and macabre tale, gloriously acted. The duo work extremely well, and would for years to come.

9/10