Orchis Fatalis is the third episode of the eighth series of Midsomer Murders and first aired 9th January 2005.
All is not well with the members of the Midsomer Malham Orchid Society. DCI Barnaby and DS Scott find themselves investigating the murder of Madeline Villiers, a member of the Society and as it turns, someone who was selling very rare orchids for huge sums. The autopsy reveals she was poisoned with hemlock. They soon after find Henry Plummer, also a member of the Orchid Society, hanging from the rafters in his garage and his entire orchid collection destroyed. What they learn is that for many members of the Society, collecting orchids is as addictive as drugs and there is no shortage of possible suspects as a result.
This episode includes examples of the following tropes:
- Artistic License – Linguistics: The producers clearly wanted to suggest a botanical name with this episode's title, "Orchis fatalis." Orchids get their name from a resemblance to the testicle, so the title could be translated as "Fatal testicle."
- Convenient Escape Boat: Subverted. While fleeing from Barnaby and Scott after being exposed, the killer climbs atop a wall alongside a river. Looking down, he sees punts moored on the river and leaps from the wall into one. In a Surprisingly Realistic Outcome, he crashes through the bottom of the boat and is badly injured. The next scene shows him hospitalized and arrested.
- Cover Identity Anomaly: Infamous orchid smuggler Jimmy Fong initially pretends to be a Chinese takeaway delivery driver so as to be Beneath Notice while he goes about his business, even adopting Elective Broken Language. Barnaby isn't fooled because despite these touches, Fong's still driving a flashy car far above the salary of a delivery driver.
- Cutting the Knot: Confronted by a locked safe, Scott gets an axe and chops the back panel off with a single blow.
- Gardening-Variety Weapon: Munro Hilliard, the third Victim of the Week, is stabbed in the back with a gardening fork while he is toasting the Yellow Roth.
- Life's Work Ruined: Someone takes revenge on an orchid collector by pouring weedkiller over his priceless orchid collection.
- Never Suicide: The first victim, a classics teacher seems to have drunk hemlock, the second victim is found hanged in his garage. It's proved they are both murdered by the same person.
- Shovel Strike: When exposed, the murderer attacks Barnaby and Scott with a spade and then attempts to escape.
- Surprisingly Realistic Outcome: While fleeing from Barnaby and Scott after being exposed, the killer climbs atop a wall alongside a river. Looking down, he sees punts moored on the river and leaps from the wall into one. However,instead of stealing a Convenient Escape Boat, he crashes through the bottom of the boat and is badly injured. The next scene shows him hospitalized and arrested.
- Visual Innuendo: Professor Margaret Winstanley flirts with both Barnaby and Scott. At one point she tells Barnaby that orchids are like testicles and then cups two round roots that are very suggestive.
