The Green Man is the first episode of the seventh series of Midsomer Murders and originally aired 2nd November 2003.
A cave in of a local canal tunnel under restoration reveals the skeletons of eight individuals. While most of the skeletons are from a cave in when the canal was under construction in the 19th century, one is obviously of a more recent vintage. Dental records identify him as Eric Edwards who was reported missing in 1965. DCI Barnaby delves into the history of the canal to see if he can find a connection. DS Troy is over the moon when he learns that he has qualified as a Detective Inspector and that there may be a job for him in another county. In what may be his last case in Midsomer, he follows up on an anonymous tip that teenagers are harassing a local hermit, Tom. When one of those teenagers is shot through the head, Barnaby leaves "Inspector" Troy in charge of the case.
Tropes:
- Anachronistic Clue: Eight skeletons are discovered during the renovation of canal tunnel. Seven of them are from a cave in when the canal was under construction in the 19th century, but one of them has modern fillings.
- Bear Trap: Simon Mayfield gets a phone call and leaves to drive into the woods. He walks in towards a car with headlights on and steps in an animal trap. Someone gets out of the car and shoots him.
- Incoming!: This exchange between Daniel Webster and Cully:Daniel Webster: Trouble.
Cully Barnaby: What?
Daniel Webster: Incoming. My dynamic dad. - The Outsider Befriends the Best: Tom is a homeless man rejected by most of the community yet is under the protection of a retired appeals court judge. Some of the villagers joke that Tom is the one who's friends with someone beneath his station.
- Screw the Rules, I'm Doing What's Right!: In the course of Barnaby's investigation he discovers that a local officer and the aforementioned court judge were both party to covering up Tom's murder of his abusive father, Eric Edwards. When he confronts the pair about their actions, they argue that there's no good in dredging up a thirty year old crime when all it'll do is ensure Tom is locked up in a mental asylum. Despite his misgivings, Barnaby agrees: when later asked about the investigation he lies that he didn't get anywhere with it.
