Bantling Boy is the fourth episode of the eighth series of Midsomer Murders. It originally aired on 16th January 2005.
DCI Barnaby and DS Scott investigate the murder of Bruce Hartley, a horse trainer who was found dead at Lodge Stables. The man was badly beaten and the murders seem related to the thoroughbred horse he was training, Bantling Boy. The horse was owned by a syndicate and there was some dispute over selling him. However, as the murder count continues to grow, Barnaby learns how the syndicate came to own the horse and who owns it now that they are all dead. He also learns that the murders were to hide a family secret and restore the Bantling name of a Bantling Boy.
Tropes:
- Bastard Angst: This plays a large part in Peter's motivations.
- Child Prodigy: Peter Craxton
- Double-Meaning Title: "Bantling Boy" is both the name of the racehorse seemingly at the centre of the murders, but also describes the murderer Peter Craxton and the motive for the killings, as Barnaby realises just before the denouement when he discovers that 'bantling' is an archaic term for 'bastard'.
- Enfant Terrible: Peter Craxton grew up obsessed with everything medieval. Thus upon discovering the truth of his parentage, he was overcome both with a belief in his own genetic supremacy and with shame at what his medieval codes told him was the ultimate disgrace. Together with his unusually high intelligence led to him manipulating his mentally disabled uncle into killing everyone who knew his secret.
- Murder Simulators: Discussed and played literally. Barnaby is disturbed by the violent video game The Secret of the Ring that Peter Craxton is obsessed with, and comments on the implications of killing for entertainment. Later is discovered that Peter has modified the game and is using it as a training tool for his mentally handicapped uncle: allowing him to rehearse the murders before he commits them.
- Obfuscating Disability: Trevor Machin pretends to be confined to a wheelchair as a benefits fraud.
- Royal Bastard: Peter Craxton is secretly the child of the former Lord Hartley of Bantling Hall, who raped his mother while she was his carer. Due to Ray Craxton's career in making weapons and armour for medieval reenactments, Peter grew up obsessed with everything medieval. Thus upon discovering the truth of his parentage, he was overcome both with a belief in his own genetic supremacy and with shame at what his medieval codes told him was the ultimate disgrace. Together with his unusually high intelligence led to him manipulating his mentally disabled uncle into killing everyone who knew his secret.
