Ep 1. Well-Schooled In Murder

Well-Schooled In Murder is the first episode of season 1 of the Inspector Lynley Mysteries, a British television detective series. The episode initially introduces us to the two major characters of the show, Thomas Lynley and Barbara Havers, both police detectives working for Scotland Yard. Thomas Lynley is an aristocrat who is well-educated and talented, while Barbara Havers is from a more humble background and often clashes with Lynley over her unorthodox methods of investigating crime.

The episode opens with a young boy named Matthew Whately going missing from a prestigious boarding school, Bredgar Hall. The school is situated in a picturesque location, surrounded by the beautiful English countryside, but there is obviously something rotten beneath the surface. Detective Inspector Thomas Lynley is called into the case by the headmistress, Alison Carter, who is old friends with Lynley's family. She is concerned about the wellbeing of the boys at the school and needs Lynley's help in finding out what happened to Matthew.

Lynley is initially reluctant to take on the case, as he believes that there is more to the headmistress's request than meets the eye. However, when he meets her in person, his suspicions are confirmed. Alison is clearly disturbed and has a history with Lynley's family that goes beyond just being friends. Lynley's brother, Peter, was a victim of a murder which was never solved, and Alison was one of the main suspects. The unresolved death of his brother looms over much of Lynley's personal life, and it becomes clear that this case will provide an opportunity for him to address some of his own emotional baggage.

Once Lynley and his partner, Barbara Havers, arrive at the school, they quickly realize that they are not welcome. The staff seems edgy and suspicious, and the boys are hiding something. Lynley immediately senses that there is something sinister going on at the school, and he begins to unravel a complex web of deceit, blackmail, and corruption. He discovers that Matthew was not the only boy to go missing from the school, and that other families have been paid off to keep quiet about their sons' disappearances.

The closer Lynley and Havers get to the truth, the more dangerous their investigation becomes. They are threatened, intimidated and attacked, but their determination to find out what happened to the missing boys keeps them going. Eventually, they uncover a shocking secret that implicates several members of the staff at the school, as well as some powerful people outside of the school with a vested interest in keeping everything quiet.

Well-Schooled In Murder is a gripping and complex mystery that sets the tone for the series. It is a classic 'whodunit' with a twist, as Lynley and Havers must navigate their way through a maze of motives and lies to get to the truth. It is also a story about class, power, and corruption, as the wealthy and influential use their positions to cover up their crimes. The characters in the show are well-drawn and compelling, especially Lynley and Havers, who are both flawed and human. The cinematography and settings are stunning, and the attention to detail is impressive.

Overall, Well-Schooled In Murder is a fantastic introduction to the Inspector Lynley Mysteries. It is a layered and nuanced mystery that will keep you guessing until the very end. It is a showcase for some fantastic acting by Nathaniel Parker and Sharon Small, who bring their characters to life with depth and authenticity. If you are a fan of British crime dramas, then Inspector Lynley Mysteries is definitely a show worth checking out.