Original subtitles

[music playing]

I don't want you to go.

Why do you have to go?

Come on, Anna.

We talked about this.

It's mommy and daddy's anniversary.

I don't care.

I don't want you to go.

We'll be home later.

Don't you want us to have a good time?

No.

Are you off then?

We're just going.

You'll be all right with Mrs. Foster.

You'll have a nice time.

No, I won't!

[music playing]

[car starts]

[music playing]

[dish breaks]

Oh, you naughty child!

You go straight up to your room!

You'll watch no television tonight.

I don't care.

I hate you!s

You just wait until your parents come home.

Just wait until I tell them!

[owl hooting]

[music playing on tv]

[dark music playing]

[chatter on tv]

NARRATOR [ON TV]: It was a pleasant enough room

and as he had requested, it overlook the sea.

He liked the sound of the surf, he said.

The cold light of dawn revealed a grim sight.

In addition, it had broughtwith it a note of tragedy.

The owner of the car had been discovered.

His remains had been found beneath the debris

of a gutted caravan.

MAN [ON TV]: Well, there's nothing

here to indicate how he died.

[suspenseful music playing]

[screaming]

No!

No!

[screaming]

[music playing]

[laughing]

[car doors shutting]

[dark music playing]

What is it?

I don't know.

Mrs. Foster?

Mrs. Foster?

[screams]

[scary music playing]

[gentle music playing]

Annabel?

[quivering]

Oh, thank god!

Oh, thank god.

[gentle music playing]

[music playing]

Oh, Ray.

You don't want to be late.

I'll be back in an hour.

I don't know why you're wasting your time going.

They're all snobs.

It's for the village, Jack.

That's why I'm going.

[music playing]

Marcus!

It's 5 to 11:00.

We ought to be on our way.

Righty-o.

Marcus!

I'm coming.

I'm coming.

Don't blow a fuse.

Hi, mom.

Where you are you going, dear?

I don't know, just out.

I'll see you.

[dog panting]

There, that's a good boy.

It feels much better.

Is he still limping?

Not really.

Well, we'll keep him onthe pain pills a bit longer.

But I think it's going to be OK.

There's a good boy, Jackie.

His name's Lucky.

VET: Right.

If you don't mind removingyour hand from that dog's

ass, Gordon, darling.

It's time to go.

[dog panting]

[insects buzzing]

MARCUS: We come now to themain item on the agenda of the,

Perfect Village Competition.

As we all know, it's only four days away now.

It's July the 10th.

That's it.

And let's not forget the first prize of 5,000

pounds that's at stake.

We could rebuild the Village Hall with that.

Absolutely, Ray.

So we're leaving nothing to chance, Bella.

Oh, yes.

Thank you.

The tent's going up onthe green the day before.

So lunch will be served at 1:00.

Yes, I've got all the food sorted, Mr. Devere.

We're going to have sausages,chicken wings, and pasties.

I'll do the village proud.

And at the same time, I'll be serving

some of Marcus's homemade wine.

The apricot andelderberry has turned out

absolutely tip-top this year.

Oh, it'll certainly make an impression.

[laughter]

Entertainment-- amusical gala on the green

to accompany lunch, Mary.

Nothing to worry about there, Marcus.

I've been working with the village orchestra.

In fact, we've been goingat it hammer and tongs.

Well, not literally, I hope.

[laughter]

It's important to show these judges

that there's still some youngblood in Midsummer Mallow.

Absolutely.

GORDON: I don't suppose we know yet

who the judges actually are.

Well, Rosemary Thurman, theeditor of "Country Matters"

is going to be one.

And I think Frank Mannionhas agreed to join the panel.

Frank Mannion.

He does the gardening program on television,

"Along the Garden Path."

That's right.

And I believe Annabel Crosshas also been asked to join.

Oh

And there's also a member of the public.

- Oh? - Yes.

Uh, they ran a competition.

And someone-- I've got her name here somewhere.

Anyway, the winner will beasked to join the panel.

She'll probably be the easiest one to impress.

Find her an extra sausage.

And her vote will be in the bag.

Hm.

So you're going to be a judge.

What's the first prize?

That was the first prize, Tom.

It means a week away fromhome, first class travel,

and a big dinner at the end.

Away from home for a week.

Mm-hmm.

Don't worry.

I've already phoned Cully.

She's coming tomorrow.

Is she not working?

She's as, a matter of fact.

She's writing a book.

A book?

Well, that's different.

It's something to do with the theater.

I'm sure she'll tell you all about it.

The Perfect Village Competition--

I don't suppose any the Midsomer villages made

it through to final, did they?

There is one, yes, Midsomer Mallow.

Ah.

JOYCE: Tom, don't tell me you're investigating

some grisly murder there.

No, no, no, it's very quiet at the moment,

apart from one thing.

We've had a spate of burglaries.

[music playing]

[kissing]

[sighs]

I've got to go.

Pity, have you?

Yeah.

And so have you.

Why?

Where are you going?

I've got business.

There's someone else, isn't there?

[scoffs]

No.

I couldn't bear it if there was.

I really couldn't.

[car horn honking]

[kisses]

You better get home.

Your mom and dad will kill youif they knew you were here.

[scoffs]

They'd kill you first.

[music playing]

Gray Friar's house.

Are you sure about this?

He said he was going to bein London, not back until late.

I mean, [sighs] it's too much too soon, mate.

We're going to get caught.

- You losing your bottle, Jack?- No.

[sighs]

I hope not.

Come on.

[suspenseful music playing]

[glass shatters]

[suspenseful music playing]

[items clanking]

[heavy breathing]

[suspenseful music playing]

[WHISPERING] What is it?

[WHISPERING] I thought I heard something.

[grunts]

[bowl shattering]

[WHISPERING] There's nothing here.

Let's go.

[suspenseful music playing]

You old fart!

[slashes picture]

[suspenseful music playing]

Come on.

Let's go!

[van engine starts]

Piece of cake.

[suspenseful music playing]

How many is this, six?

Seven.

Seven?

Seven burglaries in two months.

It's an epidemic, Troy.

Who was it this time?

His name's Edward Allardice.

He's a retired actor.

He lives here alone.

Big house for one man.

And where was he last night?

TROY: You can ask him yourself.

He's inside.

[birds chirping]

I had to go to London yesterday,

a meeting with my accountant.

I didn't get back to 1:00 in the morning.

It's almost as if I knew.

Did you tell anyone about yourtravel plans, Mr. Allardice?

No.

I keep myself to myself.

Oh, I may have mentioned something

to Ray Dorset, the butcher.

You can't go in there without chatting.

And there was no one in the house?

My wife died some years ago.

And I live alone.

But, uh, I may be able to help you.

Sir?

Well, when I was drivinghome, I saw a white van.

I was quite near the house.

And it was doing a turn.

That's why I noticed it.

I don't suppose you got a--

Registration number?

Well, yes, I got most of it.

M293, then a F--

or it could have been an E--

something, W. It was going too fast.

TROY: That may be very helpful, sir.

If ever I get my hand on thelittle bastards that did this,

I'll kill them.

[scoffs]

It wasn't just what they stole.

It was the damage they did.

That portrait was painted by Lucian Blake.

And the bowl they smashed, whichwas given to me by Olivier--

irreplaceable.

We'll do it we can, sir.

Now let me ask you, sir.

How do you know there were two of them?

I'm sorry?

You said, little bastards, plural.

There could have been just one.

Well, I assumed.

They always come in pairs, don't they?

[suspenseful music playing]

You don't think he was lying, do you,

about being out of the house?

Those were made last night.I've checked them.

They don't match his car.

They could belong to the white van.

DCI BARNABY: Quite possibly, Troy.

But these tracks are quiteclearly turning that way,

aren't they?

And surely, the London road's over there.

So if Allardice was coming from London--

He couldn't have seen the van.

So he is lying.

Or obfuscating, certainly.

[slicer whirring]

You must be the police officers

come investigate the break in.

Yes, sir.

You must know a lot aboutthe village working here.

I suppose I do.

Has there been anyone in herewho is new to the area, someone

perhaps showing a special interest

in other people's movement?

No.

No, the last person to come tothe village was Mr. Allardice.

That was quite recent, five, six years ago.

No one more recent than that?

Well, I don't like topoint the finger at anyone.

Go on.

You might want to talk to Peter Drinkwater.

He's Mary Drinkwater's nephew, great nephew.

He came back to live in thevillage earlier this year.

He lived with her for a while.

And then he moved into theold farm, Windy Whistle Farm.

It's deserted now.

Peter Drinkwater.

Young lad, a bit on the wild side.

[suspenseful music playing]

Peter Drinkwater, that name rings a bell.

Do you want to go talk to him?

Unless you have other plans.

Why'd you have to do that?

Why'd you have to talk about Peter that way?

I could have said more than I did.

He's my friend, dad.

He's trouble!

And he's leading you into trouble.

I wish you'd never come here.

Sometimes, I want to--

What?

Nothing.

[music playing]

What time is it?

[sighs]

12:00.- Gordon will be done soon.

He has afternoon surgery.

You've got to go!

All right.

You don't care, do you?

What?

Stay or go, you don't care.

Maybe that's what I like about you, Peter,

that you're so bloody heartless.

You're like an animal.

Watch it.

I'm complimenting you.

Oh, if Gordon ever found outabout you, he'd neuter you.

Do you know that?

He's good at that.

If you don't like Gordon, whydo you talk about him so much?

Good question.

[kissing]

Don't ever change.

I like you just the way you are.

And you know what I like about you?

What?

Your generosity.

I hadn't forgotten.

You still seeing that girl,Devere girl, Caroline?

I wonder what she'd say if she knew about me.

Get lost, Laura.

Just piss off, all right?

You start threatening me,you can look for your 50

quid thrills elsewhere! - Peter.

Maybe you should try Jack.

He'd do it for 30.

And he might even enjoy it.

God, you little bastard!

[suspenseful music playing]

[birds chirping]

[suspenseful music playing]

DCI BARNABY: Windy Whistle Farm.

If you wanted a place to stash some stolen loot,

this would be it.

TROY: All these outbuildings.

It's got to be here.

Yes.

Here he is now.

You're Peter Drinkwater?

And you're police, aren't you?

Detective Sergeant Troy, Corston CID.

This is Detective Chief Inspector Barnaby.

It's the same smell.

You can always tell.

Would you mind stepping out the car?

We'd like to talk to you abouta break-in at Gray Friar's House

last night.

Would you?

And what if what I want to talk to you?

You realize I could be back here

in a couple of hours with a warrant,

search this entire place.

Search it. [revs engine]

I don't give a damn.

[car speeds away]

Charming.

Yes.

Do you want to take a look around?

No, Troy.

I'll do this one by the book.

Let's get the warrant first.

BELLA: Hi.

What's for lunch?

I've been out walking.

I'm stivvy starving.

What is it?

Peter Drinkwater.

What?

You're seeing him again, aren't you?

No.

Don't lie to me, Caroline!

I found these in your room.

Mommy!

Letters, love letters, this disgusting letters.

How could you?

You shouldn't be searching in my room.

That boy is a snake in the grass.

He is nothing but trouble.

And you will listen to me!

No, I won't.

I'm 20 years old now.

I can do what I like.

Look, maybe I should goand have a talk with him,

just the two of us, mano a mano.

No, daddy, no.

I love Peter more thananyone in the whole world.

We're going to live together.

And there's nothing you can do!

[slams door]

Oh, afternoon, Caroline.

Is something the matter?

No.

Did you know, I was talkingabout you earlier this morning.

I was rather hoping I'd bump into you.

Mrs. Brierly.

I was talking to Peter Drinkwater.

I know he's a friend of yours.

But perhaps there's somethingyou ought to know about him.

And I'm going to tell you.

[suspenseful music playing]

Sir?

Sh, sh.

I thought I knew that name, Peter Drinkwater.

He's got a record, nothing very serious,

two police cautions, takingand driving away, shoplifting--

oh, and a six-month suspendedsentence for assault.

And you think he's graduated to burglary?

What have you got?

The registration number of the van.

I had to go around in circlesa bit, but I finally got there.

M923FBW, a white Renoir Trafficregistered to Ray Dorset

in Midsomer Mallow.

Oh, Ray Dorset, the butcher?

He has a 21-year-old son, Jack Dorset.

I think it might have beenhim working in the shop.

And the shop is the centerof gossip in any village.

People tell Ray when they're going

to be away for the weekend.

And Jack tells his mate, Peter.

I think so.

Who shall we go for first?

Oh, Peter.

He's an obnoxious little sod.

Let's start with him.

All right.

[band playing]

[hitting baton]

All right, everyone.

Can you calm down, please?

Thank you.

Now this is our lastrehearsal before judgment day.

And you all know how important it is that we

make the right impression.

[trumpet plays]

[laughter]

Thank you, Richard.

I want lots of energy, lots of pizzazz.

Now everyone together now.

1, 2, 3, 1, 2, and--

[band playing]

[birds chirping]

[caroline crying]

[suspenseful music playing]

[engine starts]

[suspenseful music playing]

You finish it.

I'm going out.

Where are you going?

Just out.

[suspenseful music playing]

[birds chirping]

[suspenseful music playing]

[pounding on door]

Jack?

[items clanking]

[knocking on door]

[suspenseful music playing]

[door creaking]

What?

[suspenseful music playing]

[pitchfork stabs]

[peter gasps]

[suspenseful music playing]

TROY: That was van, M923FBW.

Do you want me to go after it?

No, that was the butcher,Ray Dorset, driving.

We'll catch up with him later.

[suspenseful music playing]

Get yourselves around the back.

Don't want him getting away.

[suspenseful music playing]

Sir?

There's a computer on the inventory

taken from the Allardice house.

Oh, I wish they were all as easy as this.

Now all we need to do is find Mr. Drinkwater.

POLICEMAN: Tom?

[suspenseful music playing]

Oh, for heaven's sake.

[police radio chatter]

MEDICAL EXAMINER: Nasty way to go.

Yes.

Quicker.

One of the prongs cracked a rib and went

straight into the heart.

It must've taken quite a lot of strength.

Are you saying it was a man?

Or a very strong woman.

It skewered him like aspud on Guy Fawkes night.

I wouldn't be surprised if it shattered

the spleen and the kidney, too.

Is that right?

[coughs]

It's certainly one for the books, though.

Death by a pitchfork.

Personally, I've never seen anything like it.

How long ago did it happen?

Well, the body's still warm to the touch,

no sign of rigor mortis--

half an hour to an hour, tops.

Shame you didn't get it a bit sooner.

Yes.

What did you want him for?

Burglary.

[scoffs]

Well, I suppose that's rough justice then.

Breaking and entering, that'swhat someone did to him.

[scoffs]

You mind if I take him?

- Yeah, you go ahead. - Right.

Uh, Cyril?

Oh, whoa.

Wait a minute.

What's that, Troy?

[suspenseful music playing]

A credit card, sir.

Oh, so it is.

The name of Gordon Brierly.

I suppose it must have been stolen.

Do you think this has got anything

to do with the break-in, sir?

Hard to say.

We need to know more aboutthe late Peter Drinkwater,

don't we?

He had an aunt living in the village.

He also had an accomplice.

We have an eyewitness who places your father's

van at the scene of at leastone of the houses broken into.

We have also recovered several of the missing

items from Windy Whistle Farm.

And I must warn you, we're going to have

those checked for fingerprints.

They were using my van?

Yes.

OK, I'll tell you what youwant to know but on my own.

- If you wouldn't mind, sir?- Jack.

It's all right, dad.

We were at school together, Pete and me.

The break-ins was his idea.

But you had a good job with your father.

Why did you get involved with him?

I hate the bloody job, bowing and scraping

by the bloody meat counter.

That's no life.

[scoffs]

So how many were there?

What?

Burglaries.

Oh, too many. I told him that.

But he wouldn't listen.

What, you argued?

No.

No, you couldn't argue with him.

He wouldn't listen.

Would do you say he had any enemies?

Who hated Peter Drinkwater?

[scoffs]

It would be easier to ask who didn't.

You had no idea what he was up to?

Of course not.

If I'd known, I'd have--

What?

I'd have stopped him.

I'm sorry, sir.

But I'm afraid I'm going to have to charge

your son with various offensesconnected with the break-ins.

It wasn't his fault. Hedidn't know what he was doing.

It was that other one.

Peter Drinkwater?

DCI BARNABY: You think Peter Drinkwater

led yours son astray?

Is that why you went to see him this afternoon?

What?

TROY: We saw you just before 3 o'clock.

We were driving up to Windy Whistle Farm.

You passed us on the road.

I wasn't up at the farm.

No, I was making my deliveries.

I was on my way to Corston.

So you drove past the entrance to the farm?

Yeah, but I didn't stop.

TROY: You didn't see anything?

There was a car coming out ofthe yard, a Renoir, bright red,

one of the newer models.

I don't suppose you got a number?

No.

I didn't see who was driving, either.

It had tinted windows.

Mr. Devere has got a Renoir.

It's bright red.

It's got tinted windows.

Perhaps you should be talking to him.

[suspenseful music playing]

Screamy.

That's 1, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 10, 14plus 15, 16, 17, 18, 21, and 50

for using all my letters--

71.

That's jolly good.

Uh, it's not actually aword, though, is it, screamy?

What?

You could have scream.

It is a word!

Some films are screamy.

It's in the dictionary.

- If you say so. - Have you heard?

What?

CAROLINE: He's being killed, Peter.

Everyone's talking about in the village.

The police were up at the farm.

They say he was stabbed.

What?

Caroline.

I thought I loved him.

But I didn't.

And now he's dead.

And I don't care.

But you got what you wanted, both of you.

So I hope you're glad.

[stomps away]

[door slams]

[cheerful music playing]

Hello, dad.

DCI BARNABY: Hello, you.

What news then of the judging?

They've booked us intothe Castle Hotel at Wisdon.

And the first meeting's on Friday.

Do we know the other judges?

JOYCE: There's RosemaryFurman and Frank Mannion.

Along the garden path?

JOYCE: And they were goingto have Anabel Cross.

But at the last minute, she's let them down.

They've managed to getSamantha Johnstone to step in.

She writes the "Sister Clare Chronicles,"

a life in an English villageseen through the eyes

of a retired nun.

How long are you going to be away?

JOYCE: Only a week.

We're in some way calledLittle Kirkbridge the day

after tomorrow and then MidsomerMallow the day after that.

Midsomer Mallow?

I was there myself today.

Another burglary?

DCI BARNABY: No.

I think we found the burglar.

Have you made an arrest yet?

No.

Well, I thought you just gotthat you've got the burglar.

Yes.

Well, I'm afraid he didn't have much to say.

Good morning, sir.

Morning, Troy.

That looks like the red Renoir Ray

Dorset was telling us about.

Oh, Lothlorian.

That's "Lord of the Rings," eh?

Huh?

J.R. Tolkien.

Oh, I've never read it.

I started "The Hobbit" once.

DCI BARNABY: And?

TROY: Well, it's all dwarves and fairies.

I like books that are a bit more--

you know.

DCI BARNABY: I can imagine.

MARCUS: Peter Drinkwater.

Of course, I knew him.

Everyone in the village knew him and probably

wished they didn't.

I-- I can't imagine why youwould wished to talk to us

about him, Chief Inspector.

Well, I'd be very interested to know,

when was the last time you sawPeter Drinkwater, Mrs. Devere?

The last time?

Well, I couldn't tell you.

A week ago.

I saw him loungingoutside the Crooked Billet.

It had to have been last Thursday.

I didn't speak to him, though.

So neither of you have seenhim in the last 24 hours?

No.

Then how would you explain the fact

that your car was seen leaving Windy

Whistle Farm just before 3:00o'clock yesterday afternoon?

TROY: Exactly the sametime Drinkwater was killed.

What?

I don't suppose anyone else drives your car?

Oh, your daughter?

She doesn't drive.

Then it must have been one of you.

Yes, is was.

Actually, it was me.

Marcus?

Who was it who actuallysaw me, just out of interest?

Ray Dorset, the butcher.

He was on his way to Corston.

Ah.

That landed me in it, hasn't he?

Huh.

That's not like Ray.

So you did see Peter Drinkwater.

No.

No, I didn't.

I did go to see him.

But he wasn't there--

at least, I tooted, you know.

And there was no answer.

So I drove away.

May I ask, why did you go to see him?

Well, it's a bit personal, really.

The fact is, he's beencarrying on with Caroline.

Our daughter.

MARCUS: I wanted to knowwhat his intentions were.

So I thought we wouldhave a chat, mano a mano.

Those were my exact words, weren't they?

Do you remember what time you left home?

Maybe would be about half 2:00.

You've just gone up for your nap.

She always dozes off in the afternoon.

And that's when I went.

It was half past 2:00, yes.

TROY: But you didn't see anyone on the farm?

Only Ray.

Yes, he drove past.

You're certain it was Ray driving the van?

Yes, he had the window down.

He was smoking a cigarette.

[scoffs]

Ray smokes all the time.

JOYCE: You can't really think my husband

had anything to do withwhat happened, Mr. Baranby.

[scoffs]

He was with the "NationalWestminster" for 37 years.

Yes, I worked in the city.

This your-- your daughter, Caroline?

Yes.

That was taken on her 18th birthday.

DCI BARNABY: It's very nice.

I wonder, would it be possibleto, um, have a word with her?

Do you know where she is now?

Oh, she has a summer jobat the Corston Nursery.

Children?

Mm?

Uh, flowers.

[laughs]

CAROLINE: You're not lookingvery happy today, are you?

No.

You're never going to go to a nice home

if you don't cheer up a bit.

I always talk to the plants,you know, like Prince Charles.

It helps them grow.

When did you last see Peter Drinkwater?

Peter?

I don't know.

I suppose it was the day before yesterday.

Were the two of you, um, in a relationship?

I suppose Jack told you.

Peter told Jack everything.

Well, we were in a relationship.

But it was over.

I ended it.

Why did you do that?

Because of Laura Brierly.

Brierly?

Yes.

Laura told me lots of thingsabout Peter, private things.

But I knew she was telling the truth.

And I didn't want to see him again.

Were you angry with him?

I could have killed him.

But I didn't have to, becausesomebody did it for me.

[music playing]

[scoffs]

[doorbell ringing]

[birds chirping]

Looks like the Brierlys are out, sir.

Oh, we'll catch up with them later on.

In the meantime, Troy, has it occurred to you

that someone actually threatenedto kill Peter Drinkwater

while we were actually there.

If I ever get my hands on alittle bastards who did this,

I'll kill them.

- Edward Allardice? - Yeah.

Let's take his property back to him.

I want to know why helied about that white van.

Or obfuscated, you mean?

What I say is, I think wewant to put it to the vote.

The judges will be arriving the day after tomorrow.

The question is, do wecall the whole thing off?

What?

No, it's too late to cancel.

It's not just us.

It's the whole village.

You don't think the fact that we've just

had a brutal murder committed won't damage

our chances just a teeny bit?

Well, they didn't need to know.

The judges, nobody needs to tell them.

That's right.

What do you think, Ms. Drinkwater?

Well, I suppose I'mthinking of the children.

The village orchestra-- we'vebeen rehearsing for months.

And-- well, I know itwas Peter who was killed,

my own flesh and blood.

I had to go and identify the body.

And-- [coughs]

Steady on, old thing.

Shall I get you a drink?

No, I'm all right.

Peter never did anything for the village.

And it seems to me that, if we let his death

spoil Saturday, well, he's still spoiling

things, even though he's gone.

So I'm afraid I agree with Ray.

Well, are we ready to put it to the vote?

Let's take the ayes first.

I say, this is a perfect village.

We have no reason to be ashamed.

I'm with that.

And me.

Yes, I say we go on.

Well, I say you're all crazy.

You can't have music and chicken wings

three days after a murder.

That's a no then.

GORDON: It doesn't make any difference.

Ray, Bella, Mary, and me, that's a majority.

And

I'm afraid I'm with the others, Gordon.

So the ayes have it.

Judgment day goes ahead.

I very much appreciate this, Mr. Barnaby.

Well, just look upon itas part of the service, sir.

What about the rest of it?

It's at the station.

You'll have to come in and sign for it.

Well, I suppose it allended fairly satisfactorily.

Yes, though not for PeterDrinkwater, would you say.

The man broke in.

Yes, I'm sorry.

You did say you wanted to kill him, though.

Oh, that was just words.

Anyway, I-- I didn't know who he was.

I was wondering, yousay you saw the white van.

You got part of the number.

But you didn't recognize the van itself,

though you must have seen itoften enough around the shop.

What exactly are you suggesting,

Detective Chief Inspector?

You sure you weren't home that night?

You could have been here.

You could have seen him.

I told you, I was in London.

There was no one else in the house?

I live alone.

My wife Jane died in a car accident.

I was almost killed myself.

And I resent your questions!

In fact, if you don't mind, Ithink I'd like you to leave,

now!

[engine starts]

[suspenseful music playing]

All right, they've gone.

We're going to have to be careful.

They might be coming back.

[suspenseful music playing]

JOYCE: Tom?

I really ought to get going.

Oh, yes.

Have you seen the paper?

Uh, it hasn't arrived yet.

Come on.

Mom, we're going to be late.

Are you sure about this, Cully?

I could have taken a cab.

Goodbye, Joyce.

[kisses]

I'm quite nervous.

What do you think theother judges will be like?

[music playing]

ROSEMARY: Ed, this is Rosemary.

I'm phoning from the car.

Look, we're going to have to do something

about the September cover.

Darling, I said autumnal.

That doesn't have to mean bloody funereal.

[cheerful music playing]

No, I can't.

I'm out of London all week,this sodding competition.

We're on the N40 now.

The repeat blooming shrub rose.

For me, it's the crowningglory of any garden.

And what better choice than ourold friend the English cottage

rose.

Tough little fella withthat lovely, ripe fragrance.

[cheerful music playing]

[sniffing]

JOE: And, cut.

[tape rewinding]

That's it, Joe, my darling I'm out of here.

I've got a taxi waiting.

I'll see you all in a week's time.

Toodaloo.

[cheerful music playing]

[bottles clink]

[cheerful music playing]

Thanks.

Are you going in?

Yes.

Do I look all right?

You look fine.

Do you want me to come with you?

No, no.

Thank you for the lift.

Oh, god.

Country hotels, teas made inthe bedroom and teenage waiters

with acne at reception.

I'm so glad you could make it, Samantha.

I thought you might have been back

in that-- what's thatpsychiatric place you go to,

the retreat?

No.

Depression is a terrible thing.

Have you thought about Prozac?

Oh, hello, Rosemary.

Ah, Samantha, darling, how are you?

[kissing]

I heard you'd stepped in at the last minute.

I love the new book, by the way.

I'm your biggest fan.

Thank you.

ROSEMARY: Hello, Frank.

I haven't seen you since--

Since you fired me, Rosemary.

Oh, yes.

[sniffles]

Well, you've got that television program now.

Mm.

And doing very nicely, thank you very much.

Yes.

I suppose it allows you to pursue

your interest in pansies?

Mm.

Hello?

Joyce Barnaby?

Yes.

Hello.

My name's Rosemary Furman.

I'm editor of "Country Matters."

And this is Frank Mannion.

Well, how lovely to meet you.

I often watch your program.- Ah.

Now these are green fingers.

I'm sure that you're a wonderful gardener.

I can always tell.

[scoffs]

Well, I--

And this is Samantha Johnstone.

Nice to meet you.

How do you do?

Oh--

[phone ringing]

Oh, sorry, the phone.

And do you read "Country Matters?"

Yes.

- And do live in the country?- Yes.

Well-- well, sort of.

I live in Corston.

Corston.

I don't think I know it. - It's in Midsomer.

Ah, yes, Midsomer Mallow.

That's not far from us.

Coffee?

No, thank you.

ROSEMARY: Right.

Well, I think we should get going.

We've got Kirkbridge this afternoon

and Midsomer Mallow tomorrow.

Does anyone actually knowwhere Midsomer Mallow is?

I see you are as wellinformed as ever, Rosemary.

Joyce here lives quite near it.

Yes?

It's a nice place.

I've passed through it once or twice.

Ah.

Well, I've had notes doneon all the finalists.

We should take a look at those before we go.

This coffee's cold.

Frank, why don't you see if youcan get your hands on a waiter?

Fine.

ROSEMARY: But not literally.

Right?

Right.

[cheerful music playing]

[alcohol pouring]

[cheerful music playing]

Oh, Troy.

Come take a look at this.

This might interest you.

What is it?

Edward Allardice, I've been checking up on him.

He was telling the truth about that car crash.

It was six years ago.

He was driving.

And according to that report, he was drunk.

So he killed his wife.

Well, that's just the thing.

There's no death certificate.

Her name was Jane Rochelle.

She was in the same business, an actress.

And as far as I can see, she survived.

So where is she now?

Good question.

But why lie about it?

Dunno.

Nothing in this case is straightforward.

Allardice threatened to kill Drinkwater.

But it was Marcus Deverewho was there on the day.

And Ray Dorset driving past.

Did you check up on that?

Yeah, he was in Corston at 3:00.

There's still something wrong.

It's the van passing the farm.

I don't know.

And then there's this.

Gordon Brierly's credit card.

You know, we still haven't spoken to him.

It's time we did.

[birds chirping]

Gorden shouldn't be long.

He's over at Poplar Farm.

They've had an outbreak of leptospirosis

in their dairy cattle.

Milk?

No, I'll have mine black, thanks.

Oh.

DCI BARNABY: Mrs. Brierly, I'm afraid I've

got to ask you some questionsabout your relationship

with Peter Drinkwater.

Ah.

I understand that youand he were, um, involved.

[sighs]

Well, I suppose we might aswell be an adult about this.

It was a question of supply and demand.

And the truth is, Gordon's always

been a bit short in the supply department,

if you know what I mean.

Milk?

Please.

Did he come to the house?

Occasionally.

So it's quite possible hecould have taken something

of your husband's from here.

Something of Gordon's?

Such as what?

[suspenseful music playing]

Laura?

Gordon.

These are policemen.

They seem to have found something of yours.

Your credit card, sir.

That's mine, all right.

Of course.

Where did you find it?

At Windy Whistle Farm.

Peter Drinkwater was squatting there.

What, and he'd taken my credit card?

Unless you were up there yourself,

sir, and somehow managed to drop it.

I haven't been up to Windy Whistle Farm.

I'd be interested to knowwhere you were around 3

o'clock, sir, on Wednesday?

Wednesday.

I was operating on Wednesday.

A cat had to be spayed.

You didn't go out?

No.

Laura was here.

She helped me.

We stayed in together.

[suspenseful music playing]

[engine starting]

Well, why did you tell them that?

What?

You went out on Wednesdayafter you'd done the cat.

Did I?

Where did you go?

No, I didn't, Laura.

I was here all the time.

Do you understand?

I never left!

TOWN MAN: The village of Little Kirkbridge,

today you have it seen.

And we finish now where webegan upon the village green.

Is he serious?

To celebrate your visit andto hope you'll come again,

our merry team of Morrismen are here to entertain.

[band playing]

ROSEMARY: Oh, god.

[sneezes]

JOYCE: We've got long sword dancing,

clog and Molly dancing, a Norfolk

border dance with sticks.

And finally, they all put onantlers for something called

an Abbots Bromley Horn Dance.

How many points did you give them?

Well, I thought they were rather fun.

But I don't think theothers were very impressed.

What, the other judges?

How were they?

JOYCE [OVER PHONE]: Rosemary has hay fever.

Samantha, the writer, well,she's completely depressed.

Frank Mannion's all right, although I'm

afraid after dinner he disappeared

with one of the waiters.

Come home.

I'll see you tomorrow, Midsomer Mallow.

Bye!

[depressing music playing]

Oh, would you like to join me?

Oh, yes, all right.

I'm so pleased to meet you.

I don't know what's happened to the others.

Barman, two large whiskeys, please.

What are you going to have?

Why don't you tell her?

What?

Well, Mom, about the murder.

Ah, well, I don't really know.

It, uh, didn't seem to be fair somehow.

To her or the village?

Both.

I don't see how you canbe a perfect village when

you've got a homicidal maniac running

around with a pitchfork.

Ah, maybe that's my point.

I didn't want to influence her judgment.

Anyway, I'm not entirely surethat it was a homicidal maniac.

So who wanted to kill him?

Quite a few people, actually.

He was having an affair with the vet's wife.

And he was carrying on withsomeone else's daughter.

- At the same time? - Mm-hmm.

And then there were the burglaries.

He was breaking into people's houses.

Yes, but you don't murdersomeone just because they

burgled you, do you?

Ah, well, as a matter offact, one of the victims

threatened to do exactly that, Edward Allardice.

He said as much to me.

If I ever get my hands on thelittle bastards that did this,

I'll kill them.

Edward Allardice, the actor?

Yeah, do you know him?

Dad, Edward Allardice didfour seasons at The Playhouse.

You know he was married to Jane Rochelle?

Back in the '60s, she wassaid to be one of the most

beautiful women in the world.

She made a lot of films in America.

But then she died in a car accident, I think.

Is he really living in Midsomer Mallow?

Yup.

Do you think I could meet him?

You could tell meeverything I need to know.

Yeah, well, I suppose it would be all right.

But he's still theoretically a suspect

in my murder investigation.

Come on, dad.

He wouldn't murder a local delinquent.

He's a famous actor.

Well, maybe not, but someone did.

[music playing]

GORDON: Laura, aren't you ready yet?

It's 5 to 7:00.

Gordon.

What were these doing here?

They need to go in the wash.

But this is blood.

Yes.

Well, why did you putthem in the cupboard then?

How did the blood get there?

Is it animal blood?

Oh, yes, it's animal allright, a nasty little creature.

It's all right now.

I've put it out of its misery.

Now let's go.

I don't want to be late.

[cheerful music playing]

[digging]

BOY 1: Right there.

BOY 2: It's straight.

BOY 1: It's straight.

BELLA: That's fine.

BOY 1: Yup.

[cheerful music playing]

[doorbell ringing]

Yes?

Mr. Allardice.

I'm writing a book about The Corston Playhouse.

I just found out that you live here and--

No, no, I'm sorry.

I'm not interested.

You met my father, Tom Barnaby, Detective

Chief Inspector Barnaby.

He was here.

Yes, he came about the burglary.

Yes.

Well, very well.

The police brought back the restof my property this morning.

I'm very grateful to your father.

It was nothing of any greatfinancial value, but some of it

was sentimental.

You heard what happenedto the man that broke in?

Yes.

He must have had a lot ofenemies, someone like that.

It seems he had one too many.

This is "Hamlet," the 1955 production.

Yes.

Olivier directed it.

I was Laertes to his Hamlet.

He set it--

In a doll's house with just seven actors.

Yes, that's right, yes.

He said he wanted to get to the core of the play.

But of course, really, he wantedmore stage time for himself.

I'd like to have seen it.

Mm.

Well, I imagine you'd have been too young.

Well, how could I help you?

Um, I'm writing a book about The Playhouse.

And I wondered if I could interview you.

Well, I'm not really interested in being

interviewed.

It's been a long time nowsince I was in the public eye.

Six years.

I know you retired.

After the accident.

I was quite badly hurt.

And of course, my wife was--

I know.

I'm sorry.

[sighs]

Still I might be able to helpyou in what you want to know.

I was in Corston for seven years.

That's one of the reasonsI decided to settle here.

But I'd rather you didn'tmention the name of the house.

I don't like people coming here--

well, the public, you know?

Whatever you say.

You don't mind if I tapeit, though, just for myself?

No, no, no.

[band playing]

Now is everyone ready?

They'll be here any minute.

That's right, Alex, I wantall the glasses in lines.

Good.

Oh, Ray, that smells good.

Thank you.

I don't know how you can gothrough with this so soon--

You miss him, do you?

Peter Drinkwater.

Not particularly.

Nor do I. Nor does anyone.

But if are missing him, here'ssomething to remember him by.

This was his.

[suspenseful music playing]

[car horn honking]

Here they are.

1, 2, 3, and--

[band playing]

MARCUS: Mrs. Furman?

Yes.

As head of the Midsomer Mallow Committee,

I'd like to welcome you and your fellow judges

to Midsomer Mallow.

As you can see, we've arrangedperfect weather for your visit

to our perfect village.

This is Joyce Barnaby, one of our readers.

How do you do?

- Frank Mannion. - How do you do.

And Samantha Johnstone.

How do you do?

I'm afraid it's very tight schedule.

We only have an hour and a half.

Excuse me.

What is it, Mrs. Devere?

I thought I saw someone take something.

Marcus?

Yeah.

Oh, yes, yes, sorry.

Uh, I'd like to introduceGordon Brierly, who's lived here

and been our vet for 11 years.

It will be his job to giveyou the full historical tour.

From the third century AD to the present day.

You're actually standing on what we believe

was once a Saxon burial ground.

Oh.

[band playing]

Mommy, you all right?

I thought I saw someone.

Alex, did someone just take a bottle?

No, Mrs. Devere.

That's very strange.

[scoffs]

Oh, well, we better get on with it.

I thought we'd start with the medieval arms

houses, small parts of which actually

date back to the 14th century.

Oh, it looks as if thejudges have already arrived.

See?

Are we going to join the tour?

No, no, no.

I've seen enough of thisvillage if you want the truth.

We'll wait till they get back.

[applause]

Thank you very much for talking to me.

I enjoyed it.

I like the idea of your book.

We should talk again.

I'd like that.

Do you have a car?

No, I'm walking into the village.

Oh.

Well, I'll come with you if you don't mind.

I've got a bit of shopping to do.

Sure.

There was a time you didn't have to lock up.

Should we?

[suspenseful music playing]

CULLY [ON RECORDER]: Actually,I'm an actress myself--

or at least trying to be.

You must know howdifficult it is these days.

My boyfriend, Nico, he wasthe one who suggested that I--

[recorder drops]

[suspenseful music playing]

GORDON: And that brings us backto the green where we still it

and also to the present day.

[band playing]

We have a fate here every summer,

bonfire nights, pancakeraces, and Easter egg hunts.

Midsomer Mallow isn't just a village.

It's a community.

And in conclusion, I have to say,

we certainly find it perfect.

Bravo!

Well said.

[clapping]

Are you looking for someone?

I-- I'm not sure.

Well, you must be hungry, stivvy starving

after all that walking.

We have homemade wine, and all the food

is locally grown, if youwould care to step this way.

Mr. Barnaby.

Mr. Devere.

You're not, um--

I don't suppose your investigation could

wait just a minute or two?

Well, I wouldn't want to obstruct justice.

But the thing is that we're inthe middle of this competition.

So I see.

It was a committee decision to go ahead.

But we were rather hoping that no one

would actually mention the--

the murder.

Do you think it'll spoil your chances?

Well, absolutely.

Don't worry, Mr. Devere.

We are here in an unofficial capacity.

One of the judges is my wife.

Mrs. Barnaby, of course.

And I haven't said a word.

Oh, well, that's all right.

And come have a sausage roll.

[band playing]

Good afternoon, your honor.

Did you find MidsomerMallow guilty or not guilty?

[kissing] - Tom.

How is it?

Terrible.

Can we go somewhere quieter?

What?

The music's so loud.

[SINGING] In an English country garden.

You're not serving beer, I suppose, mate?

No.

It's homemade wine.

Oh, forget it.

It was nice to meet you, Cully.

And you.

I'm meeting my parents for a drink.

Do you want to join us?

No, thank you all the same.

These village events aren't for me.

Goodbye then.

[band playing]

I can't believe it.

Rosemary Furman hates the countryside.

She lives in London.

And as far as I can makeout, she never leaves it.

You mean she edits "Country Matters"

from the heart of Soho?

Exactly!

She and Frank Mannion areat each other's throats

the whole time.

He cannot stand her.

Here's Cully.

[kisses]

Your mother's just beinggiving me an insider's

view of the judging panel.

The only decent one is Samantha Johnstone.

I think I'd better go and rescue her.

Did you see him?

Yeah, he's nice.

You're right about the house, though.

It's creepy.

JOYCE: Are you all right, Samantha?

No.

No, I'm not all right.

I've just seen someone from the retreat.

In the street?

Mm, you can get meanother of those, please.

Would you like to come and meet Tom?

No, no. No, I'm all right.

That lady over there, she wants another drink.

[chatter]

Hello.

I've always been a very big fanof your program, Mr. Mannion.

Oh, please, make that Frank.

Do you have a garden?

Yes.

Nothing grand, just alittle patch out the back.

That's all you need.

[applause]

Oh, thank you so much.

But-- but--

God, that's disgusting!

What is it?

Elderberry and apricot.

Let's go back to the hotel.

I'm dying here.

Not soon enough, my dear.

Boy.

You all right, darling?

Yes, I'm fine.

I'm glad you're here.

I think it's fun, daddy.

I bet we're going to win.

Is she all right?

Another glass of wine,I'll have to carry her out.

I've never seen anyone--

Dad.

Mommy?

[choking]

[suspenseful music playing]

Bella.

[table crashes]

Oh, my god!

Let me through, please.

Police.

Stand back, sir.

Give her some air.

[chatter]

How is she?

Still breathing.

She must have some sort of attack.

[screaming]

Someone, help me!

Someone, do something!

[gasping]

[crying]

[suspenseful music playing]

MEDICAL EXAMINER: I'll need to run a few tests.

But I'll bet your bottom dollar it's cyanide,

rat poison, or something.

Uh, you see the skin?

Abnormally pink.

Her red cells have been oxygenated.

Classic.

Cyanide, that's got no taste, does it?

Right.

And one in four people can't smell it, either.

Not a lot of people know that.

Hide it in a glass of wine, shewouldn't have known a thing.

So that's her-- now the other woman.

Bella Devere.

Yeah.

She was lucky.

She only took a sip.

Where is she?

Well, the doctor sent her home.

There's not much you can do,plenty of water and rest.

That's about it.

LAURA: There-- there wasis this little boy carrying

a glass of wine on a tray.

And-- and she took it.

She drank it and--

Were there any other glasses on the tray?

What?

How many glasses was the little boy carrying?

Just the one.

She took it and drank it.

GORDON: Laura?

Leave me alone.

Just leave me alone!

Was it you?

Did you poison her?

You've gone mad, haven't you?

Just go away.

Are you all right?

Tom, the editor, Rosemary Furman?

Dead, I'm afraid.

Cyanide poisoning, do you believe it?

- Oh. - But why?

Who would want to kill her?

Well, she might not have been the target,

Joyce-- a crowded tent,bottles and glasses everywhere.

Was anyone else poisoned?

Don't know.

All the glasses were brokenwhen Bella fell over.

Look, I've got a lot of work to do.

You go on home.

I'll catch up with you later, right?

Hm?

[kissing]

I didn't see anything.

I had nothing to do with the wine, you see.

I was looking after the food.

Do you know who opened the wine?

Uh, Mr. and Mrs. Devere and Caroline.

She saw him, you know?

Mrs. Devere, just after the judges arrived

and that lady introduced us, that's when

she saw something in the tent.

Doing what?

Taking one of the bottles.

That's what she said.

I didn't see who it was.

I'm not even sure if it was a man.

Well, the sun was in my eyes.

And it was dark in the tent.

And he was taking a bottle?

He had a bottle in his hand.

Or perhaps he wasn't taking a bottle

but rather putting a newbottle in with the others.

I-- I don't know.

Did anyone else come over to the table

while you were serving?

I was there and the little boy, Alex.

He came over with an emptyglass, and Mommy filled it.

Was this before or after you took

a drink yourself, Mrs. Devere?

[sniffles]

I don't know.

I don't remember.

I don't think this is theright time to be asking my wife

questions, Chief Inspector.

No, they have to.

They have to find out who it was.

Because don't you see?

It was me they were trying to kill.

MARCUS: Sh, sh, sh, sh.

[birds chirping]

[drink pouring]

Biscuit?

I didn't kill him, Peter Drinkwater.

I know that's what you're thinking.

I wanted to.

I saw him leaving here.

That must have been when he stole my credit card.

I know what the two of you were up to.

I think it's disgusting.

You're old enough to be his mother.

But the trousers, the ones that I found.

The blood came out ofthe surgery, cat's blood.

And the gold chain, I bought that.

I know what you think of me, Laura,

how you've always thought of me.

But just for a little while, I wanted you

to believe I had killed him.

I wanted you to think I had the strength

to shove a fork into him.

It amused me, made me feel good.

Gordon.

You disgust me!

I want you to move out of my house.

I don't want to see you again.

I don't want to know you.

[crying]

God, Troy, what a mess.

Poisoning in front of our very eyes

and we still don't know whoit is, who was meant to die.

You think this is connected with the death

of Peter Drinkwater?

It's got to be, unless itan attack on a whole village.

To spoil their chances in thePerfect Village Competition.

Right, I think so.

[laughing]

DCI BARNABY: So here we have Marcus and Bella

Devere serving the wine.

Bella opens a fresh bottle.

Which must have been tamperedwith by whoever it was she saw.

Do you know what bothers me, Troy?

The judges had just arrived,the big four, including Joyce.

This is the momentthey've been waiting for.

So why look into the tent at all?

According to your wife, Samantha Johnstone

asked for a glass of winejust before it happened.

You spent to Joyce?

A few questions, yeah.

Hm.

Samantha Johnstone asked for wine.

Yep.

She was here.

There was a 12-year-old boy,Alex James, he went and got it.

And according to Caroline Devere,

he was only carrying a single glass.

Laura Brierly says the same.

Could it be that thepoisoned wine was intended

for Samantha Johnstone?

Perhaps.

But nobody even knew she was coming.

She was a replacement.

So why would anyone decide to kill her?

Where is she now?

[suspenseful music playing]

Hello, reception?

I wonder if you could help me?

I need a telephone number.

It's in Gloucestershire--

[knocking on door]

Uh, one moment.

[suspenseful music playing]

Mr. Mannion.

No, I'm sorry, no autographs now.

I'm Corston Police, Mr. Mannion.

Are you leaving?

Yes, I am leaving.

They tried to bore us todeath in the first village.

And when that doesn't work, theytried to poison us in the next.

Well, I've had enough.

Have you seen Samantha Johnstone?

No, I have not.

[sighs]

She's in Room 200 opposite mine.

[elevator dings]

[suspenseful music playing]

Police, is that your pass key?

Thank you.

[sighs]

Damn.

I think we are a little late.

- Dead? - She was stabbed.

But--

Dad, what's going on?

I need you to think very carefully, Joyce.

There is somebody extremelydangerous in Midsomer Mallow.

First, Peter Drinkwater,then what could have been

a mass poisoning, and now this.

And you think they're all connected?

I think the first death prompted the next two.

But I don't quite know how.

That's why I need your help.

You were the last person tospeak to Samantha Johnstone

in the tent, Mrs. Barnaby.

DCI BARNABY: What did she say?

I don't know.

The music was so loud.

I can't be sure I heard.

She was worried aboutsomething, something or somebody

she'd seen.

She said, I've just seen someone in the street.

That's what it sounded like.

In the street?

But there wasn't anybody in the street,

except Cully and that man.

Edward Allardice.

Was he on the green?

He didn't go anywhere near the tent.

He came in to do some shopping.

Wouldn't the village shop have been closed?

Did you get to knowSamantha Johnstone at all?

Yes, yes, I did.

I had a drink with her.

We talked for about an hour.

Did she tell you anything?

Yes.

She was an unhappy person,clinically depressed.

In fact, she hinted thatshe tried to commit suicide.

She was committed for a while.

She spent six months at aplace called Sebdon Manner.

Did she say where that was?

- It wasn't in Gloucestershire? - Yes.

She tried to make a phonecall to Gloucestershire

just before she died.

Just one last question, Joyce.

Did any of the other judgesknow about the murder

of Peter Drinkwater?

Oh, yes, we all did.

Frank Mannion had read about it in the paper.

He made a joke about it on the bus.

Right.

- Where are you going? - Gloucestershire.

Don't wait up.

Marcus.

How are you feeling, old girl?

Mm, I'm tired.

I brought you something.

[scoffs]

It's been quite a day.

[laughing]

Yes.

[music playing]

You're sure you're feeling better?

Yes.

I'm all right now.

You gave me quite a scare, Bella, my dear.

[music playing]

[kisses]

I love you.

You know that?

Marcus.

Everything is going to be all right.

[music playing]

[buzzing]

It's Detective Chief Inspector Barnaby.

I called you earlier.

MAN [OVER SPEAKER]: That's right.

[music playing]

Mr. Barnaby?

DCI BARNABY: Yes.

I'm Dr. Sellers, Mark Sellers.

I head up the psychiatric staff.

How can I help you?

I wanted to ask you aboutone of your former patients,

Samantha Johnstone.

Do you have some ID?

Oh, yes, thank you.

Detective Sergeant Sergeant Tory?

Troy.

Oh, yes.

I have mild dyslexia.

Samantha Johnstone, yes, I remember her--

the writer.

Come in.

You have to understand that Sebdon

Manner is not a psychiatric hospital

in the strictest sense.

Very few of our patientshave actually been sectioned.

Those that have are usually very close to the end

of their terms of the sentence.

They see us more as a sort of halfway house.

Had Samantha Johnstone been sectioned?

No, she committed herself.

An attempted suicide-- yes,this was 22 years ago--

marital breakdown, lack of self-esteem

leading to alcoholism, and problems with dogs--

drugs.

How long was she here?

18 months.

She arrived just before I did, which

is probably why I remember her.

DCI BARNABY: Did she get to know anyone?

Was there anyone she was particularly close to?

It's funny you should ask that.

I was about to say.

Yes, she formed quite aclose friendship with one

of our most notoriousresidents, Annabel Weston.

I don't suppose the name means anything to you.

No, please, go on.

The Weston case was veryfamous in its time, 1955.

Annabel was seven years old then.

I don't want you to go, mom.

Why do you have to go?

Come on, Anna.

We talked about this.

DR. SELLERS: Her parents werewealthy and hard working.

The father was an accountant.

They had a big place nearthe coast, a charmed life.

Are you off then?

DR. SELLERS: Probably whatmade it all so shocking.

You'll be all right with Mrs. Foster.

No, I won't!

[dish breaks]

Oh, you naughty child!

You go straight--

DR. SELLERS: It was one night in June.

Nobody knows exactly whathappened, except the child must

have had some sort of argumentwith the housekeeper, Mrs.

Foster.

[suspenseful music playing]

Anyway, the child went down into the kitchen.

She pulled out a knife.

And, well, she watched the housekeeper,

stabs her seven or eight times.

[suspenseful music playing]

No, no!

[screaming]

DR. SELLERS: Then she went to bed.

She was asleep when her parents got back.

Anna?

[anna hums]

Oh, thank god.

DR. SELLERS: The knife was being held

by one of her stuffed toys.

There was never anyquestion that she'd done it.

She admitted as much to her parents.

She didn't like thehousekeeper, so she killed her.

She had no idea thatshe'd done anything wrong.

And they sent her here?

Oh, no, no.

She went to various secure institutions

before going to Broadmoor.

She was there for over 10 years.

She certainly wasn't athreat to anyone anymore.

So she eventually ended up here.

And Samantha Johnstone?

More or less took her under her wing.

There was something of achild still about Annabel.

Both her parents were dead by this point.

Samantha became something of asurrogate here in the retreat.

I'm sorry?

What?

What did you call this place?

The retreat.

Sebdon Manner sounds so prim and Victorian.

Everyone calls it the retreat.

We like to think of ourselvesas a shelter, one step away

from the real world.

We've got to get back to Midsomer Mallow.

Annabel Weston.

She's there, Troy.

Cully told me as much, a homicidal maniac

running about with a pitchfork.

And for once, Cully was right.

[suspenseful music playing]

Where are you going?

Oh, Gray Friar's house.

I left my tape recorder there.

[kisses]

Later.

DCI BARNABY: RosemaryFurman's death was a mistake.

The poisoned wine was aimed at Samantha Johnstone.

Because Annabel Weston knew her?

Because Samantha Johnstoneknew Annabel Weston.

Think about it.

A murder has taken place a few days

before at Midsomer Mallow--

and no ordinary murder.

It's psychotic, pitchforkthrough the chest.

Annabel Weston's living in the village.

Under another name, right.

And the one person who knows her secret

is suddenly right there in front of her.

The timing couldn't have been worse.

One word from Samantha and Annabel is exposed.

So Samantha has to die.

[music playing]

Hello?

Is anyone there?

Hello?

[suspenseful music playing]

[floor creaking]

[gasps]

Who are you?

What are you doing here?

Who are you?

EDWARD: Cully.

I'm sorry.

This is Cully Barnaby,the girl I told you about.

Oh, I'm sorry, Cully.

I didn't mean to frighten you.

But I've been so afraid.

I-- I thought I heard someone.

I picked up the knife.

It's all right, my dear.

It's ever since we were burgled.

I-- I'm sorry. I shouldn't be here.

I just came to get my tape.

Cully, let me introduce you.

This is Jane Rochelle, my wife.

[birds chirping]

[rings doorbell]

Mr. Barnaby.

Yes, come in.

[birds chirping]

I'm afraid Bella isn't here.

You know it's her we've come to see.

Oh, yes.

Bella, short for Annabel.

Yes.

You knew she'd killed Peter Drinkwater.

I suppose I'd better tell you the truth.

It wouldn't make a jot of difference

now to Bella or to me.

Yes, I knew.

She told you?

MARCUS: She didn't have to.

I knew at once as soon as Iheard he'd been found dead.

You knew who she was when you married her?

Annabel Weston, yes.

Yes, I knew.

[sighs]

She answered an ad that I putin the newspaper, lonely hearts.

And I fell in love with her just like that.

Of course, I soon found out the truth about her.

It couldn't be avoided.

She was still under supervision then,

reporting to the home office.

But it didn't matter to me what she'd

done when she was a child.

I loved her.

So it was her driving your carthat day at Windy Whistle Farm?

Yes.

It had to be one or the other, Troy,

the daughter or the mother.

You knew I was lying?

Yes.

[suspenseful music playing]

Jack?

[suspenseful music playing]

[pounding on door]

[suspenseful music playing]

What?

[suspenseful music playing]

[pitchfork stabs]

DCI BARNABY: Peter Drinkwaterwas killed shortly before 3:00.

The killer was seen leaving the farm

a few minutes later by RayDorset, who was on his way

to Corston.

You tried to pretend it was you, didn't you?

I knew you were lying.

It just a little while to work out why.

You're certain it was Ray driving the van?

Yes, he had the window down.

He was smoking a cigarette.

Ray smokes all the time.

[chuckles]

DCI BARNABY: Ray Dorset was driving

to Corston on the same side ofthe road as the farm entrance.

So the driving seat wouldbe on the other side

away from the farm.

There's no way you'd be ableto see if the window was

open or closed-- or for that matter,

if the driver was smoking.

Yes, I was having tothink on my feet, rather.

And there was something else you said.

Troy asked you what time you left.

It would be about half 2:00.

You'd just gone up for your nap.

She always dozes off in the afternoon.

And that's when I went.

It was half past 2:00.

Yes.

DCI BARNABY: That business about Bella

going upstairs for her nap, you weren't asking

her to corroborate your story.

You were purposefullytrying to give her an alibi.

She was asleep you, and were in the car.

You were trying to protect her.

Yes.

Why did she kill him?

What was the point?

She thought he was going to marry Caroline.

She couldn't let it happen.

Very devoted mother.

See all the photographs, Troy.

Unfortunately, she carriedher devotion a little too far.

She poisoned Rosemary Furman and herself.

Yes.

Bella had no idea that Samantha Johnstone

had been chosen to be a judge.

If she had, she's had nevershown her face on the green.

It must have been a great shock when she saw

Samantha getting off the bus.

[band playing]

MARCUS: Mrs. Furman?

Yes.

MARCUS: As head of theMidsomer Mallow Committee,

I'd like to welcome you and your fellow judges

to Midsomer Mallow.

As you can see, we've arranged perfect--

Excuse me.

What is it, Mrs. Devere?

I thought I saw someone take something.

LAURA: Frank Mannion

DCI BARNABY: She was improvising.

All she knew was that shehad to get away from Samantha

before she was recognized,before Samantha actually

greeted her by her real name.

I didn't know anythingabout Samantha Johnstone.

I didn't know it was going to happen.

I believe you.

But Bella decided then andthere that Samantha had to die.

Can you get me another one, please?

DCI BARNABY: It would have been easy for Bella

to go home and doctor abottle of wine with rat poison

while the judges were beingshown around the village.

Then all she had to do was wait.

That lady over there, she wants another drink.

[drink pouring]

[music playing]

DCI BARNABY: While thelittle boy carried the glass

to Samantha, Bella poured the poison

bottle into the other glasses.

And then-- and then--

she took a little sit itself.

And that was the clever bit.

[band playing]

[coughing]

Bella?

[table crashes]

TROY: When she fell, she smashed all the glasses.

DCI BARNABY: Yes, she made itlook as if she might have been

the intended victim and at the same time

destroyed the evidence.

All those broken glasses around, we'd

never been able to tellhow much poison there was

or where the poison came from.

But then Rosemary Furman drank the wine.

ROSEMARY: Thank you so much.

But-- but--

God, that's disgusting!

What is it?

DCI BARNABY: Yeah, well,her death was an accident.

So later on the same afternoon, Bella caught

up with Samantha in the hotel.

I didn't know, you know?

She was lying upstairs in bed.

I thought she was asleep.

But you knew she'd killed Peter Drinkwater.

You must have known she wasresponsible for the poison.

What were you going to do?

Stand around, and let her havewife have the entire village?

No.

I'd already decided what I was going to do.

And I've done it.

Where is Bella?

She's upstairs.

You said she wasn't here.

She isn't.

[suspenseful music playing]

Troy.

You'd have to put her backin the bin, wouldn't you?

I couldn't let you do that.

It would have destroyed her.

I gave her sleeping pills and,um, then a pillow, you know?

Quite painless.

It was better for her, so much better.

I only wanted her to be happy.

Oh, it was horrible, dad.

Jane Rochelle wasn't killed in that accident.

She was just very badly burned.

I told you, she was so beautiful.

And there they were, the twoof them, living in that house,

hiding from the world.

Sad.

You know, for a while, I was certain that he

was responsible for the deaths.

Why?

Well, actually, it was your fault.

You said that, just before she died,

Samantha Johnstone told you she'd seen

someone she knew in the street.

Well, that's what I thought she said, yes.

But Edward Allardice wasthe only person in the street.

That is true.

But what she actually saidwas that she'd seen someone

she knew from the retreat,meaning Sebdon Manner.

Well, the music was very loud, Tom.

And I did say I wasn't sure.

You still misled me.

Tom!

I relied on you, Joyce.

Well, nobody's perfect.

It's probably just as well.

[music playing]