Another good original episode (I think they all are from now on in?), written by Daniel Boyle, features a key moment in the Morse-Lewis relationship, involving murder of husband of Morse's ex-fiancée (Joanna David - long TV career from the early 70s). Morse is too close to the case, still very much in love with her. Lewis acts on his own initiative, and to protect his feelings, keeps key information from him (and goes behind his back to Strange) - information that in the end never needs to see the light of day. Great acting from the pair of them - you really feel Morse's pain...
And good support from David Haig, James Walker, Samantha Bond, Adrian Dunbar.
Some great editing in this episode (Kevin Lester - also Armadillo), e.g. the very end bit of cross cutting. And the usual polished cinematography (Peter Greenhalgh).
Happy Families d. Adrian Shergold, scr. Daniel Boyle (couldn't find out much about him).
An extremely ironic title. The family comprises Anna Massey, George Raistrick, Jonathan Coy and Martin Clunes (Men Behaving Badly started this year), and other interesting cast members are Rupert Graves (good) and Jamie Foreman as slimy journalists, Charlotte Coleman as a disturbed girl, Alan Armstrong as Morse's stand-in boss and Gwen Taylor, Sukie Smith.
Morse doesn't seem to be drinking nearly as much in the last couple of series - where's all the 'brain food' stuff gone? When he's caught relaxing at home by the press at 10 pm (listening to a Mozart opera and reading), he's even drinking wine. I wonder if ITV have toned him down? Also, Morse incorrectly uses the word 'infer' at one point - tut tut Mr. Boyle.
 |
| When Thaw erupts, it's quite scary! |
Another ironic title as dodgy Michael Kitchen is hosting a class for rich 'Selves' and helping them with their psychological problems - when one of the clan dies, Morse and Lewis are dispatched to Vicenza to investigate. There, Lewis is unimpressed by breakfast, Morse bowled over by opera singer Frances Barber, and they both clash with local copper Georges Corrface.
Arguments about whether we're in Vicenza or neighbouring Verona ensure, though we definitely end up in the amphitheatre with Barber (who's not bad, voiced by Janis Kelly) and Puccini. With Julia Goodman, Kate Harper, Jane Snowden (who gives Morse a kiss!)
Subsequently, learned that their hotel is The Due Torri in Verona, where we've actually stayed!
 |
| This breakfast area may have been added for the film - it's now for parking. |
Absolute Conviction d. Antonia Bird (A Passionate Woman), scr. John Brown
Suspicious death in low security prison. Everyone turns up:
Sean Bean, Jim Broadbent, Richard Wilson, Robert Pugh, Steven Mackintosh, Sue Johnstone, Phil Davis. Plus Diana Quick.
Lewis gets one over on the young fast-track cadet...
Cherubim & Seraphim d. Danny Boyle
Julian Mitchell writes a great episode for season finale, featuring the house / rave movement and the manufacture of untested drugs. We have some very interesting backstory too - that Morse lived with his father and step-mother - and here we meet his step-sister and her family, one of whom (the one Morse gets on with best) dies, triggering a link with other apparent teenage suicides - so it's all very topical. Exciting climax in Mentmore Towers (also featured in Brazil, Eyes Wide Shut, Quills and Batman Begins).
Strange says to Morse at one point "I can't imagine you young!" which somewhat goes against the Endeavour storyline, and Morse reveals he was so unhappy as a child he considered suicide himself - and he calls Lewis 'Robby' for the second time.
With Liza Walker as the surviving friend. Jason Isaacs, Anna Chancellor, Sorcha Cusack.
Missed Dexter again (he's at the presentation) and Julian Mitchell is a publican!
Peter Greenhalgh shot all these.
No comments:
Post a Comment