Ep 4. The Lions of Causton

In Midsomer Murders season 20 episode 4, entitled "The Lions of Causton," DCI John Barnaby and DS Jamie Winter return to investigate another murder in the idyllic English countryside. This time, the duo heads to a local zoo, which is owned by the wealthy and influential Fielding family.

The episode opens with a night watchman at the zoo encountering a group of vandals who have let the lions out of their enclosure. The next day, the body of the zoo's owner, Helena Fielding, is found in the lion enclosure, mauled to death by one of the escaped animals. The investigation initially focuses on the vandals, but it quickly becomes clear that there are many more suspects with motives for wanting Helena dead.

The Fielding family is a complicated one, with several members vying for control of the zoo and Helena's substantial estate. There's Helena's ne'er-do-well nephew, Owen, who's been cut off from the family fortune and is struggling to make ends meet. There's also Helena's adopted daughter, Isla, who's been locked in a bitter dispute with Helena over her inheritance. And then there's Helena's ex-husband, George, who's been thrown out of the zoo by Helena and is now living in a nearby caravan park.

As DCI Barnaby and DS Winter dig deeper, they uncover more secrets and lies within the Fielding family. It soon becomes clear that Helena's death wasn't just a tragic accident, but a carefully planned murder. But who was behind it? Was it one of the Fieldings, or someone else entirely?

Along the way, DCI Barnaby and DS Winter encounter a colorful cast of characters, from a self-proclaimed lion whisperer to a suspiciously friendly zoo employee. They also navigate the complicated relationships between the Fielding family members, which are fraught with jealousy, greed, and resentment.

As the investigation unfolds, DCI Barnaby and DS Winter race against the clock to catch the killer before they strike again. With tensions running high and suspects lurking around every corner, the detectives must use all their wits and experience to solve the case and bring the culprit to justice.

Overall, "The Lions of Causton" is a gripping episode of Midsomer Murders that will keep viewers guessing until the very end. It's a must-watch for fans of the series and anyone who loves a good whodunit.