Saints and Sinners is the fifth episode of the eighteenth series of Midsomer Murders and originally aired 10th February 2016.
When Zoe Dyer, leader of an archaeological dig to find the remains of St Cicely Milson, is murdered, her colleague Penny Henderson suggests that she disturbed robbers after supposed treasure but Barnaby finds resistance to the project by locals who claim they already have the saint's relics on display in vicar Peter Corby's church. The one exception is Peter's brother Christopher who regards his brother's claim to be false and encourages the dig, falling out with Zoe's husband Alex, whom he accuses of exploiting the situation. Two victims later Barnaby discovers instances of fraud, extra-marital affairs and false identity before he solves the case, differentiating between saints and sinners.
Tropes:
- Artistic Licence – Art: The portrait of Benedicta Milson is actually of Margaret Tudor, eldest daughter of Henry VII of England. To fit in with the story, the picture has been altered to include a treasure chest and a necklace around her neck. Her right arm has also been moved to rest on the chest. Originally both her arms were folded across her body, supporting a small monkey which is now partially floating in mid air.
- Beachcombing: An archeological dig searching for the bones of a local saint is threatened by a group of detectorists camped in the next field looking to raid the site for the treasure the saint was supposedly buried with.
- Buried Alive: Zoe Dyer is buried alive in an archaeology trench.
- The Great British Copper Capture: When Barnaby arrives to to arrest the killer, they grab Kam and hold a knife to her throat; holding Barnaby and Nelson at bay long enough to deliver their Motive Rant. Barnaby eventually distracts the killer long enough for Kam to break free, at which point the killer is collared by Barnaby and Nelson.
- Raised Hand of Survival: As Zoe Dyer is being Buried Alive, her hand thrusts up through the earth in a desperate attempt to escape. But it is a futile gesture, and her hand collapses even as the next scoopful of earth buries her completely.
