Ep 2. The Witches of Brokenwood

The Brokenwood Mysteries season 7 episode 2, titled "The Witches of Brokenwood," tells the story of a pagan festival in the titular town. As the locals prepare for the annual celebration, the body of a prominent member of the community is discovered in a shallow grave.

Detective Senior Sergeant Mike Shepherd (Neill Rea) and his team, including Detective Kristin Sims (Fern Sutherland) and DC Sam Breen (Nic Sampson), are called in to investigate. The victim, a wealthy businessman named Reginald Dwight, appears to have been killed in a ritualistic manner. As the detectives speak to the suspects, they learn that Dwight was not well-liked in the community.

The investigation leads Shepherd and his team to the festival's organizers, a group of women who call themselves the Witches of Brokenwood. The Witches practice a form of paganism and are known for holding controversial rituals. The group's leader, Magda (Elizabeth Hawthorne), is particularly hostile towards the detectives and refuses to cooperate with their investigation.

As the detectives delve deeper into Dwight's life, they discover that he had his fair share of secrets. He was involved in several shady business dealings and had numerous enemies. The team is also thrown off track when a second body is discovered, leading them to suspect that the murders may be connected to the festival in some way.

The investigation takes a supernatural turn when strange occurrences begin to happen, including unexplained fires and eerie chanting. The detectives start to question whether the Witches are involved in the murders or if there is something more sinister at play.

Throughout the episode, tensions rise as the detectives race to uncover the truth before another victim is claimed. The stunning scenery and small town charm of Brokenwood provide a captivating backdrop for this intriguing murder mystery.