Meanwhile, the script is smart and thought-provoking with some nice humour and colourful characters, the role of The Pudding Club is incredibly intriguing here. Nothing felt inconsequential, everything had a point, everything intrigued and any loose ends were tied together nicely. Barnaby and Troy drive to the Talbot home. There, Marcus says, "My sister Arabella is in the 6th form at Devington, sir, and she and Daniel were, well, an item. You know, seeing each other. It didn't seem important until I heard that you'd arrested Paul Starkey. He was always pestering Arabella, hanging round the Annexe and so on. He was sort of stalking her. Barnaby asks, "Marcus, do you know someone called Dave Winch? I believe he works in the school kitchens." Marcus says no. He also denies going to the Chalk and Gown. The Chalk and Gown is strictly out of bounds.

Troy says, "I've just been talking to Charlie Meynell. Apparently, Marcus Heywood has gone missing." Barnaby and Troy talk to Arabella. They find out that Marcus is hiding in Arabella's room. The production values are usually wonderful here. Beautiful music, clever direction by Peter Smith helps the scenery a lot. Dudley tells Barnaby that the Pudding Club is all about money. The acquisition of wealth. That's the true purpose of the Pudding Club. Diplomats enjoy many privileges- Immunity, freedom of movement, diplomatic bag. Sir Walter's health had been deteriorating and with it his influence over the school. And a struggle for control of the Pudding Club has been raging. Archie Bellingham was a victim of that struggle. As was poor Daniel. Then, when Dudley finds out that Barnaby was at the race, he says he can't trust him anymore and tells him to leave. Barnaby assumes Winch set Paul Starkey up. Or he didn't send the message in the first place. Troy gets a call. It's Anthony Talbot. At the pub, a celebration is going on to welcome Charlie to the Pudding Club. Marcus says, "Quiet, please! Quiet! Right. Well we're here today to celebrate Charlie's admission to the Pudding Club. There was a time when I thought Charlie wouldn't come up to scratch. But I'm pleased to say he seems to have come good in the end."There is an echo of a teacher scolding.. " Don't run in the corridor, boy. Why aren't you in lessons, boy?" The Devington school has a long history of educating the privileged members of society and many have gone on to illustrious careers, such as in the Diplomatic Service. The Talbot family in particular has a long association with the school with three generations having attended. Barnaby and Troy investigate when there is a murder at the school. They find ongoing feuds between the school and villagers, a conspiracy theorist who thinks the school is the centre of criminal activity, students who are having drinking parties at the local pub, and the ongoing affairs of the school's secretive Pudding Club. The discovery of a long-held school secret leads to the discovery of the murderer.

The story of this episode is very compelling, filled with many twists and turns. Agree that "Murder on St. Malley's day"'s a exposition heavy murder mystery, so lots of patience- focus is needed when watching, but it doesn't hurt the narrative a bit. Barnaby says, "Marcus Heywood and Charlie Meynell have been giving us the runaround since the very beginning, haven't they?" Troy receives the forensic report. There are traces of cleaning fluid on the roller and Carew's clothing. They can release Paul Starkey then. Troy says he knows where Charlie Meynell and Marcus Heywood will be tonight. The motive for the killings are agreed on the far-fetched side. Wished they would have been a lot stronger for a good case like this. Murder on St. Malley's Day is the fifth episode of the fifth series of Midsomer Murders. It was first shown on 22nd September 2002. Sometime later, Julia puts flowers on Daniel's grave. Miranda sees her. "Don't go. You were Daniel's friend, weren't you? I'm pleased to meet you at last. What's your name?" Julia says, "Julia. I'd better go." Miranda says, "You don't have to. Stay for a bit." Julia says, "Alright."At night, the pudding club boys go to Charlie's room and carry him to the pudding club room. Anthony Talbot says, "Gentlemen! If I may have your attention, please, for one moment. The police have arrested the man who killed my son, Daniel. He's a villager. But that doesn't mean it's over. Outsiders will see this as an opportunity to snoop and pry into the affairs of the school. But you must remember that your first loyalty is to the Pudding Club. Always. Loyalty is our greatest strength." He looks at Charlie. "Carry on, gentlemen." The pudding club boys start tapping their spoons on the table. Anthony Talbot leaves, but Marcus follows him. "There's something you really ought to know about Paul Starkey, sir. It's about him and Daniel." The Devington school has a long history of educating the privileged members of society and many have gone on to illustrious careers, such as in the Diplomatic Service. The Talbot family in particular has a long association with the school with three generations having attended. When Daniel Talbot is killed during the St. Malley's Day race, the same day as his elderly grandfather died of natural causes, Barnaby and Troy investigate. They find ongoing feuds between the school and villagers, a conspiracy theorist who thinks the school is the centre of criminal activity, students who are having drinking parties at the local pub, and the ongoing affairs of the school's secretive Pudding Club. The discovery of a long-held school secret leads to the discovery of the murderer. Brotherhood of Funny Hats: The Pudding Club is an exclusive club restricted to Devington students who are pursuing careers in diplomacy. On the surface, it's just a "boy's club" that regularly eats "puddings". note In the British sense of the term, which means anything from pies to desserts. In reality, it's a front for an illegal art-smuggling ring, with the members using their positions to smuggle valuables out of foreign countries and into the school proper, to be sold off to finance the school whenever it needs the money.