Some people can develope anaphylactic shock from adder venom, making a shot of adrenaline a real life saver. But adrenaline does not lessen the symptoms caused by the neurotoxins in the venom which can cause nausea, delirium, and full albeit temporary paralysis. Despite about 100 people a year getting adder bites in England, deaths are fewer than one a decade.
Stewart James, played by Ben Miller, previously appeared in episode 1.4, The Portwenn Effect (2004).
Poaching has for several years been a real problem in Cornwall. Poachers mostly go after red deer, and get several hundred pounds per animal for the meat and antlers. Increasingly poachers are organized in gangs using high tech equipment.
The first of two episodes where the town's vapid PC would rough it in the wild with a bad outcome; the next would be PC Penhale, who would replace Milo.