Ep 4. Hunting the Stag

The Brokenwood Mysteries season 1 episode 4, "Hunting the Stag," follows detectives Mike Shepherd and Kristin Sims as they investigate the murder of a local hunting club president, Bob Warner. The episode begins with Warner's son finding his father's body hanging from a tree in the woods, surrounded by hunting gear.

Shepherd and Sims arrive on the scene and begin their investigation, questioning members of the hunting club and Warner's family. They quickly learn that Warner was a controversial figure in the town, with many people disliking him for his passion for hunting and his tendency to brag about it.

As they dig further into the case, the detectives discover that Warner had recently been threatened by an animal rights group that was opposed to his hunting activities. This leads them to suspect that the group may be responsible for his murder.

While investigating the animal rights group, Shepherd and Sims discover that one of its members, Simon Dudson, has a criminal record and was recently released from prison. They bring him in for questioning, but he denies any involvement in the murder.

As the investigation continues, the detectives also discover that Warner's wife was having an affair with his best friend, and that his son had a motive for killing him as well. With so many potential suspects, Shepherd and Sims must carefully sift through the evidence to determine who is responsible for the crime.

In addition to the murder investigation, the episode also explores the tension between animal rights activists and hunters in the community. Shepherd and Sims must navigate this delicate issue while solving the case, as they try to bring the killer to justice and restore peace to the town.

Overall, "Hunting the Stag" is a gripping and suspenseful episode of The Brokenwood Mysteries, with a well-crafted plot and a cast of intriguing characters. Fans of the show and of crime dramas in general will find plenty to enjoy in this episode.