The Blacktrees Prophecy is the first episode of the twenty-third series of Midsomer Murders and first aired December 12, 2022.
Dr. Warren Kaine, a doomsday prepper, collapses and dies in a bunker at the Blacktrees farm shortly after receiving a message with messages of a nuclear alert. It turns out, that the killer reconfigured the venting systems and Kaine suffocated to death. Clodagh Kaine, Warren’s widow, is revealed to be having an affair with her best friend’s husband, Guy Burrows. Clodagh told Guy that she was so happy to get rid of Warren, but when Guy Burrows is killed as well after being struck by a life boat, the suspicion soon falls on Clodagh, now that both her lover and husband are dead. Randall Salt realises that his time has come and he is the last victim to fall by the hands of the killer. The Blacktrees Prophecy is accomplished and Barnaby realises that the killer is seeking vengeance for a previous death.
Tropes:
- Crazy-Prepared: Kaine's group and his ex-wife Lara are all prepared for multiple apocalypses, with Warren having a nuclear bunker and Lyra living on the land with traps all around her place.
- Crazy Survivalist: Lyra Kaine, has the flannel, the gun and her bear traps nearly take off Winter's foot.
- Not Blood Siblings: Zane thinks this way, but his adopted mother and his sister (who is he attracted to) do not agree.
- Rescue Equipment Attack: Warren Kaine collapses and dies in a bunker at the Blacktrees farm shortly after receiving a message saying nuclear missiles have been launched on the radio. It turns out that the killer reconfigured the venting systems and Warren Kaine suffocates to death. Later, Guy Burrows is killed as well after being struck by an inflatable life boat.
- Poisoned Drink Drop: Warren's bottle drops just before he hears the voice on the two-way radio which confirms - he's been poisoned.
- Secret Relationship: Turns out that Guy the second victim is having one of these - He is sleeping with the wife of the first victim.
