Ep 3. A Worm in the Bud

In the episode "A Worm in the Bud" of Midsomer Murders season 5, the tranquil village of Midsomer Parva is disrupted with the brutal murder of a landowner, Hector Bridges. Hector's widow, Annabel, is seemingly heartbroken but it becomes evident that she may not be as devastated as she appears. As Detective Chief Inspector Tom Barnaby and Sergeant Gavin Troy investigate the case, they soon discover that Hector was not well-liked in the village and had plenty of enemies.

The investigation leads the team to an organic farming cooperative known as the Midsomer Life Centre. The center is run by charismatic New Age guru, Jez Haydock, who preaches about his alternative views on life and death. The investigation becomes more complicated when Jez is found murdered in a nearby field. The detectives must juggle between suspecting Annabel and the various religious followers and members of the co-op in order to solve the case.

As they delve deeper into the secrets of the Midsomer Life Centre and its members, they discover that greed and jealousy may have a role to play in the murder. The detectives must also contend with a threat from the past when one of the co-op members goes missing, leading them to suspect that the killer is still on the loose.

As the investigation reaches its climax, Barnaby and Troy face a perilous situation that tests their bond and skills to the limit. Overall, "A Worm in the Bud" is a thrilling episode that explores the extremes of human behavior and the tension that can arise when contrasting lifestyles collide.