The Killings at Badger's Drift is the pilot episode of the popular ITV crime drama Midsomer Murders and was originally broadcast on 23rd March 1997.
When gentle spinster Emily Simpson is murdered in her own home in the seemingly tranquil village of Badger's Drift, it attracts the attention of DCI Tom Barnaby and DS Gavin Troy of Causton CID. When her friend, Lucy Bellringer, is unconvinced that Miss Simpson died of natural causes, she voices her suspicions.
Suspects include Iris and Dennis Rainbird, and the Lessiter family, which includes Trevor, the local GP, his wife Barbara, and daughter Judith. Other persons of interest are Henry Trace, the landowner, who is engaged to young Katherine Lacey; his estate manager, David Whitely; Katherine's artist brother, Michael; and Phyllis Cadell. Barnaby also learns of the shooting of Henry's first wife Bella almost two years ago.
Tropes:
- Blackmail Backfire: Iris and Dennis Rainbird make a lot of money by blackmailing their neighbours, but they bit off more than they could chew when they try their spiel on murderous couple Michael and Katherine and get brutally killed.
- Brother–Sister Incest: an old woman discovers a brother and sister in an incestuous relationship and they murder her to keep her quiet. Later, a busybody and her son, who likes to know everyone's secrets and is not averse to a spot of blackmail, end up dying as well. In the end, the brother and sister end up committing a double suicide.
- Country Matters: The way Dennis pronounces the word "Constable" leaves no doubt as to what he means.Dennis: Oh! I see you've got a right cunt-stable there.
- Driven to Suicide: Phyllis kills herself in custody… believing herself to have committed a murder which was in fact done by the Laceys.
- Faux Affably Evil: Iris Rainbird acts incredibly sweet and jolly… especially when she is blackmailing her victims.
- Foreshadowing: The play that Cully is rehearsing, 'Tis Pity She's a Whore by John Ford, deals with incest between siblings, which is also something dealt with in this episode.
- Murder the Hypotenuse: Katherine kills Bella Trace to be able to marry her husband Henry. However, she is a Gold Digger with zero romantic interest in Henry.
- Not the First Victim: Whilst investigating a series of murders in the village, its established that the wealthy Henry Trace's first wife Bella died in a Hunting "Accident" two years previously. We're led to believe that she was killed by Phyllis Cadwell, who was besotted with Henry in a moment of desperation. However, at the climax, Inspector Tom Barnaby concludes that Phyllis's attempt failed, and Bella was actually murdered by the episode's killer, who had their eye on Henry's money.
- Old Maid: Emily Simpson is a 83-year-old spinster and lives alone. Had it not been for her neighbour and close friend Lucy Bellringer Spotting the Thread in the suspicious circumstances before Emily's death, nobody would have been around to think there was foul play.
- Parental Incest: Heavily implied between the Rainbirds, with one scene having them angle for what looks like a kiss on the lips before Fade to Black.
- She Knows Too Much: Emily is murdered because she sees siblings Michael and Katherine Lacey having sex.
