The Killings at Badger's Drift, Commentary and Credits.

Let it be known that from now on, my commentaries will indeed ALWAYS have SPOILERS! 

Now let's begin!

The first onscreen murder victim of the series, the lovely Ms. Emily Simpson

SEASON 1, EPISODE 1.

The Killings at Badger's Drift

Opening credits

No shortage of creepy, deviant behavior shown from murderers and villains in this dark episode based on Caroline Graham's book. Still, it's always nice watching DCI Tom Barnaby shine the light of justice on these dark deeds! And I'm glad I can fast forward through all the immoral bits displayed, hooray for Netflix! Anyhow, I mostly watch for the quaint exteriors and interiors of the show. I also very much enjoy the characters of Tom, Joyce, and Cully. I love Cully's relationship with her Dad as it's so loving! There's the running gag of how Joyce can't cook well and here you'll see a shot of her first meal of the series!

The two words that best describe this first ever episode of Midsomer Murders, "The Killings at Badger's Drift," are Delightful and Disturbing. The delightful part being the introduction to the regular cast members and the cozy, loving Barnaby family and home. The disturbing part being the entire plot of the script, based on Caroline Graham's novel. Let's start with the delightful bits shall we? 

DETECTIVE CHIEF INSPECTOR THOMAS GEOFFREY "TOM" BARNABY

He is intelligent, persistent, charming, and kind. A loyal husband and loving father, he's the kind of man you want on your side.

JOYCE BARNABY

As Tom's long-suffering wife, she's all too aware of the chaotic life she shares with him. She's no fool when it comes to holding her own opinions and interests. A warm home-maker, she may not be the best cook, but she's never too scared to try and experience new things.

CULLY BARNABY

Tom and Joyce's only child. She's a loving daughter and intelligent student of the arts, especially drama. She's been studying Art History, but now that's she's landed the lead in a big production, she may just jump into an acting career.

SERGEANT GAVIN TROY

As Tom's sidekick and right hand man, Troy is eager to learn and make his own mark in Midsomer. Though he's a terrible driver at times, he's always a reliable assistant to his boss.

DR. GEORGE BULLARD

He's the Medical Examiner that provides the technical insight and info that Tom needs to find the truth. Often in the midst of terrible, bloody gore, George is steadfast and level-headed every time.

The relationship between Cully and her father is a treasure to behold. She'll meet him at the door and greet him with a smile. Tom always shows his delight and love toward his grown daughter, gently teasing her as most funny Dads do after having missed their college aged child. 

"What happened to the green hair and the tattoo?" 

Cully's equally gentle in her replies, a bit embarrassed.
"That was last term, Dad." And "It washed off."

Ah, let's give us a hug!

Both Joyce and Cully know that Tom's job is a 24/7 deal, and he usually can't sit through an entire dinner without having to deal with a case. 

There is a running gag, especially in the early episodes, about Joyce's somewhat-less-than delicious cooking. Here she serves up some burnt vegetables with a mystery protein.

"Not much meat on this chicken, is there?" asks Tom.

"It's not a chicken. It's a quail."

Obviously, Tom.

And here's a shot of her first meal in the series: "Stewed neck of lamb with mushroom dumplings." 

Mmm. That sounds and looks...interesting?

Cully doesn't fancy her Mum's food all that much either. 

"Mum, I thought maybe we could go out tonight," Cully desperately suggests.

No, no, I've got a nice pot of au feu in the deep freeze," Joyce insists.

Oh that's just awful au feu, but Cully agrees politely.

Ever the thoughtful daughter, she knows how her Dad must suffer at home. 

"Dad, I bought you a present from Cambridge...It's chicken and ham."

Tom's very, very grateful.

What's this? Looks like a lovely meal. 

"It's only Marks and Sparks," says Joyce.

Tom has no problem with only Marks and Sparks, Joyce.

Despite the lack of tasty dinners, Tom would never complain to Joyce. They're the most supportive and affectionate that any couple in a crime series can get. They're often seen sitting down to dinner (as long as Tom isn't called away), discussing his cases as well as all of her personal hobbies.

The Barnaby clan just may be the most supportive and loving family on any murder mystery show, EVER. Tom and Joyce both beam with pride as they help Cully rehearse her lines. Cully returns the encouragement to her father who is feeling discouraged at the slow progress of his latest case. 

"You'll get there Dad. You always do."

Now here we come to what is, in my opinion, the best and most important conversation from the entire Midsomer series. It explains the general premise and tone of the show.

Cully: "Was it very horrid, the bodies?"

Tom: "I've seen worse. I think...you know what really bothered me, Cully? I didn't feel anything, not for Iris Rainbird or her son."

Cully: "Well they weren't very nice people."

Tom: "Well, they were people...[but] all I could think about was it's another death...But I'm one step further down the road."

This goes to show that even though most of the victims on Midsomer are immoral and unlikable people, it doesn't matter to Tom in his pursuit of justice. He's one for the truth, no matter how gruesome and long the road.

Detective Chief Inspector (DCI) Tom Barnaby is a master at consuming the details in every case. He's aware, vigilant, astute, and has almost a sixth sense. He feels it in his gut when something is amiss, he literally dreams about the cases, and he even notices when he's being watched from above.

Ah, yes. Troy. Is it his fast-paced or absent mind that distracts him whilst he drives? What's a near miss here or there? He gets to where he needs to go, though it may drive his boss up the wall (or off the road). 

Troy's bad luck on the road and subsequent outburst 

is just what Tom needs to open up the door to the mystery!

"Why can't you look in your mirror?!" Troy yells at another driver, sparking a thought in Tom.

"You've done it Troy. That's it!"

Nevertheless, Tom's staying on the safe side. "I'll drive."

Tom carries a briefcase and wears a posh suit with vest included, while Troy seems to dress with a bit less tact. Funny ties that.

Oh and of course. Who needs traffic jams when you've got lamb jams in the idyllic countryside?

And now for the disturbing dark side...

There are multiple deaths in this episode including the deaths of many birds during a hunting scene. The human killings involve a lot of savagery and blood, so viewer beware.

When a suspect commits suicide while in lock-up, Tom is devastated. Troy doesn't help much by saying, "Maybe you should have put her on suicide watch, sir."

Tom replies, "Is that a reprimand, Troy? 'Cause you're right. This is my fault."

Tom shouldn't blame himself. Clues can be tricky things to decipher or even notice. Do you see the clue about the motive here among these books?

How about this nearly missed clue as Tom's hand brushes THIS BOOK.

Hmm? Figured it out yet? Well even though Tom is a master mystery magic man, other do try to steer him into a certain direction. But if the viewer can not be sure, who are we to blame the detective in his search for the killer?

"Katherine Lacey."

"Well, it was Katherine Lacey."

"If you ask me, Katherine is the one to look out for."

Did you get that, Tom?

It's Katherine BLOODY Lacey!

There's a unique scene in this episode during a funeral in which Tom selects each suspect and explains the suspicions surrounding him or her, giving the viewer a better sense of the complex characters in this complex plot. Furthermore, this case is so consuming that Tom literally dreams about it, the clues coming together in this other unique scene as he has a trippy nightmare like no other.

Are you familiar with John Ford's play, "'Tis Pity She's a Whore"? If not, then these clues will zoom right over your head and shock you once the truth is revealed. If you weren't ready to crawl out of your skin while watching the scene in which mother Rainbird gives her son a disgustingly long kiss on the lips, then you're just not human. For the rest of us, here's a tip: when you see the nanny Mary wake up in the night, have your hands ready to cover your eyes! Otherwise you will regret having seen what you've seen in this scene (nudity alert), and you'll also regret it when a certain painting is unveiled. Don't look or else your jaw will drop just as far as Tom's.

These shall be your reactions as well, I'm afraid to say...

I'm warning you. It will disturb you to no end. BTW, you may also cringe in this way at Troy's crude reference to homosexuals made early in the episode. 

But despite the dark, we are brought back to the light. 

Joyce says, "You know who did it, don't you? I can always tell." 

Yes, Joyce! And that's what makes you such a good wife, i.e., an intelligent woman!

Aha! Even though Tom and us viewers may have been at a loss when it came to certain clues, watching the final scene as Cully takes the lead in John Ford's play, it all comes together nicely.

It all comes down to the final act. 

"Yes, well, I suppose it's the last act that really matters."

Not only in this play and episode, but in every Midsomer Murders episode to follow. 

And with an appreciative touch of humor and warmth, you'll become a fan for life. I did. 

Let's move on to S1E2, "Written in Blood".