Ep 1. The Green Man

The episode starts with a group of villagers who are in a heated discussion about a proposed supermarket project that would change the character of the village. Meanwhile, a group of Morris dancers dressed up as the Green Man, perform at a pub. The lead dancer collapses and dies in front of the audience. Detective Chief Inspector Tom Barnaby and Detective Sergeant Dan Scott are called to investigate the death.

As they start to investigate, they find that the Green Man has been a symbol of the village for many years and there are many who would like to preserve the traditions of the village. Barnaby and Scott soon discover that the Morris dancers have been threatening the developer who proposed the supermarket. When they start to dig deeper, they find that there is a lot of tension in the village between those who want to modernize and those who want to preserve the traditions of the village.

As the investigation progresses, Barnaby and Scott find that there are many secrets hidden in the village and that many people have hidden agendas. They soon discover that the victim was not all that he seemed and that there are many who had motives for wanting him dead.

The investigation takes many twists and turns, with many red herrings along the way. As the detectives close in on the killer, they find that they themselves are in danger.

The Green Man is an enthralling episode of Midsomer Murders, filled with intrigue and suspense. The picturesque village setting provides the perfect backdrop for the investigation, as the detectives try to unravel the mystery behind the murder of the lead Morris dancer. The episode raises important questions about the tensions between the preservation of tradition and modernization, and the lengths that some people will go to in order to preserve their way of life.

The characters in the episode are well-written, with many complex motives and backstories that add depth and nuance to the plot. The performances are outstanding, with John Nettles and John Hopkins delivering excellent performances as Barnaby and Scott, respectively. The Green Man is a must-watch episode of Midsomer Murders, with enough twists and turns to keep viewers on the edge of their seats until the very end.