A Worm in the Bud is the third episode of the fifth series of the popular ITV crime drama Midsomer Murders. It was first shown on 23rd June 2002.
Synopsis[]
Some of the residents of Midsomer Worthy are trying to prevent James Harrington from turning Setwale Woods into a housing estate. Led by a solicitor, Bernadette Sullivan, and a local farmer, Simon Bartlett, who also happen to be having an affair, they have not had much success in court. When Bartlett's wife, Susan, is found dead in the woods, Barnaby and Troy must first determine if her murder is related to the planned development or something as yet unknown. The information provided by two inquisitive children, who see the investigation as a fascinating game, proves invaluable in solving the crime.
Plot, Part 1[]
In the country, a tractor is tilling the field. Childen are playing in the woods.
Julie Fielding tells her brother, Sean Fielding a story.. "The children walked through the woods for hours and hours. The trees got bigger and bigger and it was getting dark. There was lots of thunder and animals made horrid rustling noises in the night - foxes and wolves and a huge big bear."
MURDER 1: Sean says, "There's no bears. Julie says, "There was then, with fangs to eat you." Sean wants to go home, but Julie says the bear is coming and runs away. Sean follows her. Someone is picking wildflowers in the woods. They leave when they hear the children. Julie and Sean roll onto the ground. Julie sees a pair of feet. She goes to investigate and sees a woman lying on the ground. A dog comes up barking and scares Julie off.
At court, the judge says, "I understand the feelings of the Midsomer Worthy community. Setwale Wood has been a place of recreation for generations. Children play there, people walk their dogs, picnic, and I'm sure all sorts of things. But none of that alters the fact that the land belongs to Mr Harrington. As for this long list of objections, nothing warrants an injunction to prevent Mr Harrington selling his wood, or Whitley Estates felling it." The audience sighs.
Barnaby and Troy exit the courthouse. Simon Bartlett and James Harrington get into a fight. Barnaby goes over and breaks it up. James goes to a playground and speaks to his wife, Caroline Harrington. He has won the court case and will sell his farm and then they can put their separation behind them. Caroline says she can't trust him as long as Susan Bartlett is around.
Bernadette Sullivan, Simon's lawyer, goes through papers on her desk. Simon Bartlett comes downstairs putting his shirt on. Bernadette plans to use old English Common law to argue a new case against James.
A drunken James runs out of the pub in the rain. He drives past Victoria Bartlett and splashes her. He almost hits another car.
Julie tells her mum and dad about a lady in the wood. "We nearly found the robbers' hideout in the wood, Dad. There was a lady they knocked out. Their dog came after us." Her dad tells her to go to upstairs. He doesn't want to hear anymore of her stories.
James sits in his truck in the rain and the woods and drinks from a flask. In Jonah Bloxham's home, there are photos of children playing all over his walls. There is the sound of children giggling. Julie gets out of bed and looks out the window. It is storming out. In the woods, someone drags the body of a woman to the lake.
In the morning, cows are grazing, a tractor is going over some land and Simon Bartlett drives around his land. Hannah shoots a bird and picks it up. Trees are being felled in Setwale wood. James drives his tractor past Bernadette's car and knocks her side view mirror asquew.
Julie digs around in her mother's garden. She watches Victoria Bartlett next door. Julie goes over to speak to Victoria. Her mom, Denise Fielding, watches her and talks to her husband, Sam Fielding. "She's doing it again. Victoria Bartlett, garden inspection. Every time she tells me how well it's doing she means 'must try harder'." She adds, "Julie's still sulking. She normally forgets these stories after five minutes. I've got to exercise the hounds so she can come with me. I'll go up where they were playing, have a look."
At St. Mary's Church, Victoria is arranging flowers. Hannah Harrington is in the church with her gun. She says, "I could hardly leave it outside. That would be terribly irresponsible of me." The minister, Edmund Nelson, says that Bernadette feels there are legal avenues to explore regarding Setwale Woods. Bernadette comes in and tells the minister that James has forestry people up in the woods already. Bernadette and Edmund go to review documents.
Sam Fielding is walking the Midsomer Hunt pack hounds when they all run off to the lake. There is a dead body floating in the lake. He tells Julie "I want you to go straight home and tell your mother to phone the police and an ambulance. Tell her to phone the kennels too. We'll need the lorry to take the hounds back." Sam goes into the lake and pulls the body out.
Barnaby and Troy arrive. Troy tells Barnaby the deceased is Susan Bartlett, local farmer's wife. Sam says, "I pulled her out. I couldn't leave her in there. I knew there was nothing I could do for her. She must have been dead since yesterday afternoon. My daughter saw the body. We didn't believe her. But not in the pond. Somewhere in the bushes. I just thought it was one of her stories."
James Harrington is furious when he finds out the police have cordoned off the wood. He confronts the Rev. Nelson. Simon drives his cart over to the dairy. Jonah is checking equipment. They go into Simon's office. Simon has received an email, purportedly from his wife. "I have to face the truth now. No more pretending. I'd rather be dead than live with it. At least you can start again. Susan"
Simon runs through the house looking for Susan. The police drive to Grange Farm. Simon is driving away from the farm. They nearly collide. Barnaby tells Simon he needs to talk to him. Simon shows them the email from Susan. "The body was found in Setwale Wood this morning. It appears she drowned." Troy goes to interview Jonah. Barnaby speaks to Simon. Simon says he was at Bernadette's talking about the failed court case. He and Susan had separate bedrooms. Dairy hours work unsociable hours. He explains that he and Susan were trying to start a family for the past 8 years. There was never going to be a baby. Susan had trouble accepting it.
Barnaby goes to interview Julie and Sean. Julie says she saw the body in the bushes. Sean saw a shoe. It was a lady. She could have been knocked out by a robber. But later she thought she was asleep. Julie says the dog was a Jack Russell and she could pick him out.
Victoria overhears Simon calling Bernadette. She tells him, "If there's anything you can do to stop people believing her suicide was your fault, you should do it. I know you didn't have much time for her in life lately, but I'd like to think that in death you can do something more decent than rush off into the arms of your mistress." Simon starts to cry.
Baranby and Troy go to speak to James Harrington. He immediately goes at them, "You've got a bloody cheek. Don't think you're going to get away with it. My woods, my timber - that's what the judge said." Barnaby says, "There is a police investigation going on in Setwale Wood. Nobody is allowed in until I'm satisfied the scene has been preserved and the evidence is safe. Mrs Bartlett's body was found in a pond in Setwale Wood this morning. She was dead. The wood belongs to you." James explains that he and Susan dated in their teens. Then he went away to college and she married Simon while he was gone. His wife, Caroline, knew eventually. Recently, Susan made a play for him. James realized he didn't want her. He wanted Caroline, his sons. James says he was in the pub when Susan was killed. He says aren't husbands at the top of the list of suspects? Barnaby says, "I may not know a lot about farming, but I'm very used to separating the sheep from the goats."
At the police station, Barnaby says Susan Bartlett drowned between 10pm and 2am. No sign of struggle. Except Julie Fielding saw Susan's body lying in Setwale Wood earlier that afternoon. It doesn't make any sense. Barnaby concludes, "As I was walking up the stair I met a man who wasn't there. "He wasn't there again today. I wish, I wish he'd stay away."
Later that evening, someone lurks outside Victoria Bartlett's home. They watch her through her window. She turns out the lights. The lurker starts cutting flowers.
Barnaby interviews Bernadette. She says Simon was with her. They were having an affair. Bernadette says Susan was depressed.
Hannah Harrington walks through the gate to Victoria's house. She notices the cut flowers. In the side yard, blooms are arranged to look like a body.
Bernadette phones Simon. Troy and Barnaby are searching his house. Barnaby says the email suicide note was sent from Susan's computer. It was sent when Susan had been lying in Setwale Wood for at least 6 hours. Whoever emailed it, it wasn't her. Barnaby thinks she was murdered.
Troy goes to search James' farm. James gets a phone call for Troy from his mother. Julie packs sausages in her backpack. She grabs Sean and they go to look for dogs. Troy investigates the flowers at Victoria's house. Arranged like a dead body. Julie sketches Jack Russell's. Simon and James encounter each other in the grocery store. They have a loud argument.
Barnaby greets Julie and Sean. He says Troy is hot on the trail of every Jack Russell for miles. Julie says he won't even know what it looks like.
Barnaby goes to Mrs Harrington's house. Victoria says the flowers will grow again. Barnaby wants to know if there Is anyone she would regard as being an enemy or someone her son would? Victoria says people often fall out with each other but she doesn't know anyone who would do such a thing.
Simon and Bernadette have words. Simon doesn't care about a court case against Harrington anymore. Bernadette says Simon will get Abbey Farm when this is all over. Ever since they've met Simon banged on about what you could do with more land. Bernadette says she can make that happen. Simon says, "Can't you wait till she's buried?" Bernadette retorts, "What is the period for abstaining from carnal knowledge of your mistress when your wife dies? If she'd walked out you'd have thrown a party. It's the same woman."
Barnaby speaks to Hannah Harrington. Barnaby says, "You've known Mrs Bartlett a long time?" Hannah says, "Forever. When we were kids there was hardly a day we didn't meet, usually in the wood. There's the ruins of a cottage there. We didn't think anyone else knew it. Of course everybody did. It's even marked on the map....They were burning witches here up until the 17th century. One of the things the witches were accused of was putting the evil eye on people. When I saw those flowers laid out in the shape of a dead body, another dead body, it made my blood run cold."
Julie spies the dog from the woods. Julie and Sean follow the dog. The barks and comes after them. Sean tosses him sausages. Jonah comes out and says no one comes here. he says, "I know who you are. You come again and I'll have you. You will know the winepress of the wrath of God."
Denise Fielding asks her husband if he took a pound of sausages. Sam says, "Course I did. I always take a pound of raw sausages to work, everybody does. I don't want to be the odd one out, do I?" Denise calls the kids to tea. Julie shows him all her her drawings of the Jack Russells. She says they did find the dog. Sam says, "That's it. No more! From now on you don't leave the house or the garden on your own. You go to school and then you come home." Julie protests, "But Mr Barnaby said..." Sam says, "You don't understand these things. It's not a game. Playing detective. It's got to stop." Denise says, "Sam, we've got to find a better way of stopping it than shouting at her." Sam says, "Susan Bartlett didn't kill herself. Someone murdered her. Julie and Sean are out there following... "
James is at a phone booth at night making a call. "Hi, how's it going? Shut up. I'll tell you when I see you. Don't keep me waiting. Any trouble and you know what's going to happen." Simon goes to James house at night and yells for him and blasts his horn. No answer from James.
Julie tells Sean, "I've got the card. Chief Inspector Barnaby lives in Causton. We've got to tell him about Mr Bloxham's Jack Russell. It'll just have to be a secret."
At the pub, Caroline tells James, "There's things we need to talk about. It's not a conversation to have here." James says, "We're celebrating. There's money in the bank from now on. And every time I draw some, it's going to make me feel so very good." Caroline offers to take James home. James says, "Night, mother. Bad manners to leave a wake early, I know, but you can put a long face on with the best of them." Hannah slaps him. Hannah says to Caroline, "Can't you keep him under control?" Caroline says, "No, Hannah. That's why I left him." Caroline drops James off. The murderer drives up to James' house. They give the dog a chunk of meat. They go in the house and switch James' bottle of alcohol. Then they dump James body on a forklift.
Julie and Sean catch a bus to Causton to see Mr. Barnaby.
Plot, Part 2[]
MURDER 2: James' body is found dumped in a pond in Setwale Wood. Hannah Harrington identifies James' body. "Yes, that's James, my son. You won't need a doctor to pronounce him dead... I'll be in the yard. George is still alive. At least we might be able to save him." George is the dog.
Julie and Sean arrive at the Barnaby residence. "Is this where Chief Inspector Barnaby lives? We've come a long way on the bus about clues and everything," says Julie. Joyce invites them in. "Are you Mrs Inspector Barnaby?" asks Sean. "I'm ever so hungry."
Sam tells Barnaby that something knocked the dog out. Hannah says she will bring him through. Barnaby asks Troy to collect the dog vomit.
Joyce tries to contact Barnaby but his phone is turned off. The station says he's gone out to Midsomer Worthy. Julie says, "I didn't want to tell him there. It's got to be a secret, you see." Sean asks, "Can I have some more cake?"
Simon goes over to Bernadette's. He says, "I went to Abbey Farm last night. I didn't know someone was going to kill James. He wasn't even there. I'm frightened, Bernadette. I went to the farm. I went home. I was on my own. He could have been there dead when I was." Bernadette says, "Did anyone see you at Abbey Farm? No. Then you weren't there. And you weren't on your own, you spent the night with me. An alibi from an eminent barrister should even shut Barnaby up."
Joyce brings the kids over to where Barnaby is. Sean asks if he can put the siren on. Barnaby says no. Julie says it was Mr Bloxham's Jack Russell that they saw.
Simon tells his mother he is selling the farm. As soon as Susan's funeral's over, Grange Farm goes on the market. Victoria says, "Simon, you can't throw away a lifetime's work. And what about all the other lifetimes? Your father's, your grandfather's, down the generations. We are a part of Midsomer Worthy. We matter here. It's madness. No. The answer is no." Simon says, "I can buy another farm. I can't buy my way out of what's going on in here." Simon points to his head. Jonah is outside watching the conversation.
Barnaby tells Sam about the children. He says, "Denise will go ballistic. Anything could have happened. Why didn't the school... There's somebody out there who's killed two people. Julie and Sean have seen things, they are witnesses, aren't they?" Barnaby says, "Nobody knows that. Look, I'll make sure the house is patrolled, OK?" Sam says, "This dog business." Barnaby says, "I don't hold out much hope there." Sam says, "Julie's very sure, though. Julie. Julie, tell Mr Barnaby all the names of the hounds you know. Go on." Julie says, "That's Barnard, that's Chaser, that's Sable - he's got more black. There's Pharaoh, Tess, Floppy - with the funny ears. Brandy - she had pups at Christmas. That's Kestrel, and ET."
Barnaby knocks on Jonah's door. He's outside. Barnaby asks him about his dog, who was seen in the wood in the afternoon at a time when we know Mrs Bartlett's body was already there. Jonah says, "He goes where he wants. Anywhere there's vermin. Plenty in Setwale Wood." The dog barks and Jonah lets him in. Barnaby reaches down to pet him and the dog bites him. Jonah gives Barnaby a bottle which he says will see off any infection. Herbs. Nature's remedies.
Dr. Bullard says, "The cause of death is clear. Asphyxia. The direct result of liquid animal waste entering the breathing passages. He had consumed a great deal of alcohol and valerian. The root of valeriana officinalis. It's a sedative used for nervous conditions. A popular cure for insomnia. It's in any chemist. It looks to be a very concentrated form of valerian. Susan Bartlett was killed by the same- paralysis, unconsciousness. Barnaby says that Julie said she seemed asleep. Bullard says, "Tom, I know you're not a great believer in coincidences, but I was struck by where Mrs Bartlett was found. Setwale Wood? Valerian has had various names in its long and ancient history but in the Middle Ages it was called setwale."
Barnaby and Troy discuss the case. Harrington was drunk when he got home. He wouldn't have noticed if his whiskey tasted a bit strange. And Susan Bartlett was taking pills, some with valerian in them. Small doses, but it wouldn't have been hard to substitute the concentrated stuff. Ms Sullivan confirms that Simon was with her. Harrington's life was insured for 400,000 pounds. Two policies paid for by his wife.
Jonah sneaks up to Simon's room and steals some hair from his hairbrush.
Barnaby speaks to Caroline. She's been separated from James for one, nearly two years now, yet she still kept up the payments on his life insurance. He had no contact with the insurance companies. All the correspondence came straight to Caroline. She says there was no point talking to James about money. It only meant a row. As for correspondence, he ignored every envelope that came through the door. Caroline did call Susan to see if James was seeing her. She laughed. Caroline slammed the phone down.
Jonah makes a phone call to the police and reports that Simon Bartlett went to Harrington's farm and killed him. He also killed Susan Bartlett and he used the ATV to get her body into Setwale Wood.
Barnaby goes to speak to Simon who explains that he drove to Abbey Farm. James wasn't there. He turned round and came home. He was never at Ms Sullivan's at all. The police find whiskey in the barn spiked with valerian. The hair on the ATV is human. The police arrest Simon. Victoria watches them drive off with him.
Barney and Troy go to interview Bernadette. She immediately says, "Simon Bartlett is my client. I'd like to know precisely why he's been arrested." Barnaby says, "You're under a misapprehension as to why you're here. You provided Simon Bartlett with a false alibi for the night of James Harrington's death. You won't need legal advice from me to understand the implications of that."
Jonah buries cans, pans, funnels, etc. in the ground.
Bernadette admits that she made a mistake giving Simon an alibi. She says, "I believed a weak man was something else. I believed he wasn't still in love with the dull, stupid woman he married. When he told me he'd been at Harrington's I saw the fear. I lied for him. It seemed more reliable than a marriage licence. Simon couldn't kill anyone." Barnaby says, "We have evidence that says he did." Bernadette says, "Then look at it again." Barnaby says, "Setwale Wood. You know a lot about that. You know what 'setwale' means? It's referred to as 'the devil's herb'. Both bodies contained large amounts of valerian. You were trying to stop Harrington felling the wood, using some old feudal laws. Why did you need to know anything about herbs and potions?" Bernadette says, "It interested me." She got her information from church records, the library. A local historian wrote a piece about the Bloxham family back in the '50s. Jonah Bloxham is a descendant. The woman they burnt as a witch was called Mary Bloxham. Even after the War the villagers went to his grandfather for remedies. Old people trusted him more than the doctor. Barnaby says, "The ATV. There couldn't have been any forensic just sitting there on Bartlett's ATV. Bloxham spent a morning cleaning it."
At Jonah's house, someone comes in and hits him over the head with a wrench. He falls to the floor. All the photos are removed and the place is set on fire.
Jonah is rescued and the fireman says that he took in a lot of smoke and he's got a nasty crack on his head. Sam tells Hannah that he thinks that Valerian knocked the dog out. It doesn't stay in the system or leave any after effects but the dog must have taken a hell of a lot. At the remains of Jonah's house, Barnaby says there were lots of pictures, old black-and-white photographs.
Hannah arrives at Victoria's house and points a gun at her. They get into a car. Julie sees it. Julie goes down and tells her mum. Barnaby goes to Victoria's house and sees the old photos in the fire. Denise comes over and says, "This doesn't make any sense. But, well, I had to say something. Julie was looking out of her bedroom well, she's very sure..." ..Julie says, "Mrs Harrington took her away. And she had her shotgun pushing in her back."
Hannah drives to Setwale wood and points the gun at Victoria's back. Victoria pulls a branch and it flips back to hit Hannah in the face. Victoria runs away.
Plot Denouement[]
Barnaby recalls Hannah mentioning a cottage out in the wood. The detectives drive to the wood. In a clearing, Hannah points the gun at Victoria. She says, "No further to run, Victoria. You murdered my son. You killed Susan, too. I knew as soon as I heard the word valerian. Remember how you'd pick the plants with Jonah? You'd catch rabbits and squirrels, see how long they stayed unconscious. Mostly they died. Not a very nice hobby for the prettiest girl in Midsomer Worthy. Your parents were relieved when you discovered boys. (the detectives run into the woods looking for the women). Poor Susan. Wasn't there an easier way to get rid of her? No. Despite everything, he wouldn't leave her. And finally you knew there'd never be a Bartlett heir. My God, is that it?" Victoria says, "He didn't have the guts to kick her out. I put my son first. I looked at James, a drunk, who couldn't keep his life together because of her. She was dangerous. The Bartletts have farmed here for 500 years. You don't let that disappear. There's a debt to the future. For God's sake, Hannah, even your waster of a son could produce children." Hannah says, "Is that why you killed him?" Victoria says, "I didn't want to. He saw my car here. He was blundering about in the wood, drunk, I suppose. I don't know what he was doing. But he knew, once the police came. He phoned me. He wanted money from me. He wanted me to pay him to keep quiet. That's not all he wanted. He wanted to rub our noses in the dirt. To destroy us." Barnaby and Troy run up. Barnaby says, "It would be a good idea if you put the gun down, Mrs Harrington." Victoria says, "I'd like to go home now, Mr Barnaby. We're really not friends any more."
MURDER 3: Hannah shoots her dead. Hannah says, "We've been friends all our lives, Mr Barnaby. I wouldn't even let a dog of mine suffer more than it had to."
Barnaby explains to Troy, "Susan Bartlett had to be replaced by any woman who could provide a grandchild. But Harrington worked it out. He put the flowers in Victoria's garden. Not to say, "You're next." Just, "I know you did it." Troy says, "But why would Bloxham frame Simon Bartlett?" Barnaby says, "He found out what she'd done, but he wasn't part of it. Yes, she learned all about valerian from him some 40 years before. But Bloxham was trying to incriminate Simon because Simon was about to break his mother's heart by selling the farm. The farm was everything to Bloxham. He grew up there. And Victoria, she was five years younger than him, but she was like a kid sister. Hannah said she idolised him. And he loved her. But they couldn't stay kids forever. So he turned the only time he was happy into a private world. He had to protect it. Even Simon was expendable. Victoria didn't see it like that."
Hannah comes out of the house after she has changed clothes. She says, "Thank you for waiting for me, Mr Barnaby. She picks a flower and gets in the police car.
Barnaby winces as his hand hurts. "Bloxham's damned dog!" he says.
Cast[]
- John Nettles as DCI Tom Barnaby
- Daniel Casey as DS Gavin Troy
- Jane Wymark as Joyce Barnaby
- Gillian Barge as Hannah Harrington
- Rosie Cavaliero as Denise Fielding
- Wendy Craig as Victoria Bartlett
- Janie Dee as Caroline Harrington
- Ian Driver as Edmund Nelson
- Charlie Hicks as Sean Fielding
- Ian Hogg as Jonah Bloxham
- Clarista Hoult as Julie Fielding
- Barry Jackson as Dr. George Bullard
- Emily Joyce as Bernadette Sullivan
- Adam Kotz as James Harrington
- Paul Venables as Simon Bartlett
- Chris Walker as Sam Fielding
- Jeffry Wickham as Judge
- Andy Capie as Fireman
- Jeremy Peters as Bus Driver
Galleries[]
Body Count[]
Drugged with valerian after the quantity in her pills and potions was increased and left in Setwale Woods. Then a suicide note was sent from her computer and later that night she was drowned in the nearby lake.
Drugged by consuming whiskey spiked with valerian after getting home drunk. He was then taken and drowned in a nearby slough.
Found in her garden and forced at gunpoint to drive into Setwale Woods, where she was subsequently shot in the chest with a shotgun.
Supporting Cast[]
Episode Images[]
Arrests[]
- Victoria Bartlett for the murders of
- Susan Bartlett
- James Harrington
This is the 15th time a murderer has died before arrest. Previous episodes where the murderer died before being arrested are The Killings at Badger's Drift, Written in Blood, Death's Shadow, Strangler's Wood, Dead Man's Eleven, Death of a Stranger, Judgement Day, Destroying Angel & The Electric Vendetta.
- Hannah Harrington for the murder of Victoria Bartlett
Notes[]
The following actor and actresses who appeared in this episode have also appeared in the following episodes:
- Rosie Cavaliero - A Vintage Murder
- Emily Joyce - The Christmas Haunting
- Adam Kotz - The Dagger Club
Trivia[]
- DCI Barnaby quotes the Hughes Mearns poem "Antigonish" to Sergeant Troy.
- When Denise Fielding is clearing the dinner table, the children have not finished their meals - they both still have food on their plates and are both still chewing food.
- Filmed in Bledlow, Buckinghamshire, England, UK
The Trials and Tribulations of DS Gavin Troy:
- Barnaby asks Troy to collect the dog vomit.
Quotes[]
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Goofs[]
- When the body that's found in the lake face down is turned over, the actor clearly swallows.
- Hannah Harrington mentions witch burning, however, witches were hanged in England, not burnt.
- When the flowers are discovered on the lawn in the shape of a body, a label is clearly seen above one of the shoulders, but when the police arrive the label has gone.
- In the final showdown in the woods, a shot to the chest from a 12-bore/gauge shotgun from only a few feet away would inflict rather more damage than just a neat entry hole.
- When Jonah Bloxham is knocked out cold with the wrench, the unconscious man puts out a hand to break his fall just before he hits the floor.
Video[]
Midsomer Murders - Favourite Leading Lady E06
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