MovieChat Forums > Inspector Morse (1988) Discussion > First-time viewer with questions

First-time viewer with questions

posted 9 years ago by podracer96
19 replies | jump to latest

American viewer here, late to the game. I watched almost all of the Inspector Lewis episodes and enjoy the relationship between Lewis & Hathaway. Also watched the Endeavour episodes. Generally enjoy the mysteries, but I finally decided to watch some Inspector Morse episodes to see the Real Deal.

Started with Masonic Mysteries and watched several others including Ghost in the Machine, Dead on Time, Twilight of the Gods and of course The Remorseful Day.

My strongest reactions:

- Kevin Whately is so young and, dare I say, handsome! And Lewis is such a wonderful character next to Morse. Now I understand why he deserved his own spin-off series.
- Sgt. Lewis is doing all the work! Morse is too busy chasing skirts and jumping to the wrong conclusions. Lewis understands computers and does the bulk of the detective work while Morse solves crossword puzzles and visits the ladies. Am I right or am I biased?!
- But I do appreciate the acting and pacing. And how Thaw displays the range of Morse's emotions. If someone breaks out into poetry in the middle of conversation, I would laugh out loud. Unless you do it the way Thaw did it in Remorseful Day. Brilliant.

I'm getting the idea that I should watch more Inspector Morse episodes and then go back to Endeavour which I'll appreciate more deeply.

For the seasoned Morse fans out there, can you give me your recommendations of must-watch episodes from Endeavour, Inspector Morse, and Inspector Lewis? Especially episodes from one series to the next that show some continuity among the characters or storyline arcs. Or is there a website for fans of Morse the character?

------
The world moves for love. It kneels before it in awe.

[–] robherod 9 years ago

There is a great Facebook page for fans of Endeavour, Morse, Lewis etc.

https://www.facebook.com/groups/2400957493/10153508207692494/?notif_t=group_activity

I would also recommend reading the 13 Inspector Morse novels - most were made into TV programmes (albeit sometimes with major changes.)

[–] Troll_Dahl 9 years ago

First of all, the previous poster mentioned the thirteen Morse novels written by Colin Dexter. They formed the basis of the TV series and most of them were adapted as episodes. They are:
Hello, I'm another American fan. I'll try to be of assistance here. I'm familiar with all three series and several of the novels, although I haven't yet developed the encyclopedic knowledge of Lewis or Endeavour that I have cultivated for the Morse series.

-The Dead of Jericho
-The Silent World of Nicholas Quinn
-Service of All the Dead
-Last Seen Wearing
-Last Bus to Woodstock
-The Way Through the Woods
-Daughters of Cain
-Death is now my Neighbour
-The Wench is Dead
-The Remorseful Day

The ones based on novels tend to be the earlier episodes, but they also started adapting the the later novels as Dexter wrote them, ending with The Remorseful Day. Since that's only the novel-based episode you've watched, I suggest you get a taste of the other episodes adapted from novels; the stories and characters are sometimes, though not necessarily always, richer and more complex. The Dead of Jericho was the first episode of the series, so you that may be a logical place to start. Bear in mind, the series ran for many years, and you may be surprised to find that the earliest episodes, produced around 1987, have some differences in terms of style and some people apparently find them a bit dated. The first season, though (The Dead of Jericho, The Silent World of Nicholas Quinn, and Service of All the Dead) remains one of my favorite sets.

I'd also recommend the episode "Who Killed Harry Field?", from the middle of the series run. It's a personal favorite of mine for the story and characters, very well-acted and has interesting themes centering around art. Can't go wrong with that one, in my opinion. Also, the episode titled "The Wolvercote Tongue" (refers to a name for a jewel) showcases some of the aspects that occur so frequently as to be quintessential part of the Morse package in my mind: the involvement of academics and high society, and arts and culture concerns. The Ghost in the Machine is another good episode for some of that, so i think that was a good choice!

The Lewis series may actually have more episodes than Morse, and I think the need to sustain it as a mystery/detective show in its own right may have moved it away from its Morse origins a bit. I generally prefer the earlier seasons. As far as Endeavour, there are only two seasons available as yet if I'm not mistaken, so one might as well start from the beginning and work your way up. For both spin-offs, I'd start with the first/pilot episode for basic orientation.

I hope this is helpful!

-
Om Shanti

[–] podracer96 9 years ago

Troll_Dahl, thank you for your recommendations. I still haven't seen the Harry Field and Wolvercote Tongue episodes. I have those to look forward to.

Since my original post, I've seen all the episodes based on novels except for Silent World of Nicholas Quinn and Service of All the Dead. (I started my bingeing with Dead of Jericho, but found it dated so I've been watching in random order with a bias towards the later seasons.) The Wench is Dead was a particularly enjoyable one. Example of the trope where the detective is so good, he can solve a murder from his bed.

My current favorite is Deadly Slumber which I saw last week. I was genuinely surprised by whodunit and completely devastated by the denouement. I was sad into the next day and kept thinking about what it means to "take a life." I had thought this episode was based on a novel, but it's not. Another favorite is Twilight of the Gods.

I've been an avid Inspector Lewis viewer for years. I was watching Lewis without knowing who Morse was. I didn't realize the show was a spin off! My viewing of Inspector Morse is very much colored by my affection for and familiarity with Inspector Lewis. I pump my fist every time Lewis finds a crucial clue or makes an important connection. And I laugh every time Laura Hobson makes an appearance.

I watched all the Endeavour episodes when they came out as they came out, but without getting any of the in-jokes. I didn't pay any attention to Strange or Max. Hah! So when I'm finished watching all of Inspector Morse and re-watching my favorites, I can re-watch Endeavour and laugh at all the right places.

Someday I hope there will be such a thing as a TV show called Inspector Hathaway.

Someday it might even be possible to watch several TV shows that string together the entirety of Endeavour Morse's career from his start as a constable to his death, then segue to Robbie Lewis's career all the way to his deathbed.

------
The world moves for love. It kneels before it in awe.

[–] Troll_Dahl 9 years ago

You're most welcome. I'm glad you're enjoying all three series, although I have to say that Lewis appealed to me more in its earlier seasons than as it went along. Then again, I came to Lewis as a Morse fan, not the other way around. I've found from other discussions on here that that can make a big difference. My family jokes about "Inspector Hathaway", too! At the moment, I think they're still possible making Lewis specials, though, even though DCI Lewis himself is supposed to have officially retired.

Deadly Slumber is a very good episode. Heavy subject matter, but executed exceptionally well. Brian Cox as the bereaved father has always stuck with me.

Om Shanti

[–] !!!deleted!!! (67791493) 8 years ago

First of all, the previous poster mentioned the thirteen Morse novels written by Colin Dexter. They formed the basis of the TV series and most of them were adapted as episodes. They are:
Hello, I'm another American fan. I'll try to be of assistance here. I'm familiar with all three series and several of the novels, although I haven't yet developed the encyclopedic knowledge of Lewis or Endeavour that I have cultivated for the Morse series.

-The Dead of Jericho
-The Silent World of Nicholas Quinn
-Service of All the Dead
-Last Seen Wearing
-Last Bus to Woodstock
-The Way Through the Woods
-Daughters of Cain
-Death is now my Neighbour
-The Wench is Dead
-The Remorseful Day

The ones based on novels tend to be the earlier episodes, but they also started adapting the the later novels as Dexter wrote them, ending with The Remorseful Day. Since that's only the novel-based episode you've watched, I suggest you get a taste of the other episodes adapted from novels; the stories and characters are sometimes, though not necessarily always, richer and more complex. The Dead of Jericho was the first episode of the series, so you that may be a logical place to start. Bear in mind, the series ran for many years, and you may be surprised to find that the earliest episodes, produced around 1987, have some differences in terms of style and some people apparently find them a bit dated. The first season, though (The Dead of Jericho, The Silent World of Nicholas Quinn, and Service of All the Dead) remains one of my favorite sets.

I'd also recommend the episode "Who Killed Harry Field?", from the middle of the series run. It's a personal favorite of mine for the story and characters, very well-acted and has interesting themes centering around art. Can't go wrong with that one, in my opinion. Also, the episode titled "The Wolvercote Tongue" (refers to a name for a jewel) showcases some of the aspects that occur so frequently as to be quintessential part of the Morse package in my mind: the involvement of academics and high society, and arts and culture concerns. The Ghost in the Machine is another good episode for some of that, so i think that was a good choice!

The Lewis series may actually have more episodes than Morse, and I think the need to sustain it as a mystery/detective show in its own right may have moved it away from its Morse origins a bit. I generally prefer the earlier seasons. As far as Endeavour, there are only two seasons available as yet if I'm not mistaken, so one might as well start from the beginning and work your way up. For both spin-offs, I'd start with the first/pilot episode for basic orientation.

I hope this is helpful!

I'm doing this kind of backwards. I watched some of Inspector Morse back in the day but not religiously. I now recognize some of the episodes. But I loved Endeavor and at writing this they're working on Series 4 for 2017 and Series 3 is complete (and watched by me). I can't wait to get to Inspector Lewis.

Saying that can you please, if possible, tell me those of which 'the woman' did it?

GFW

[–] Troll_Dahl 8 years ago

Saying that can you please, if possible, tell me those of which 'the woman' did it?

I always hesitate to give out spoilers since you never know who's reading, but if you're asking about female culprits in general, there are a number. For the novels, Last Seen Wearing and The Way Through the Woods spring to mind, coming about as close to the femme fatale as we get with Morse. Also, Service of all The Dead involves an Orient Express-style conspiracy and although she doesn't physically commit murders and is herself almost killed, one of the co-conspirators is female. And of course, I can't forget Death is Now my Neighbor and The Remorseful Day, the last two novels. I recently read the Remorseful Day and it involves women as both the killer and the initial victim. Also Last Bus to Woodstock, as well as the Daughters of Caine, which has an all-female conspiracy.

There are a few more instances sprinkled throughout the TV episodes: Deceived by Flight has a murderess and Ghost in the Machine features Patricia Hodge as a decidedly unsympathetic wife/widow of an academic. Settling of the Sun is another episode with a female co-conspirator with whom Morse was closely involved for a time. Dead on Time involves an old love interest of Morse's. Greeks Bearing Gifts has a wife framing a husband.

There are probably a few others with female killers or conspirators but those are the ones that come to mind. To be clear, all of the novels I listed in this post were also adapted for TV and Last Seen Wearing is the only one in which the killer was changed for the adaptation. Colin Dexter actually has a fair number of female murders. It may have something to do with the consistent prevalence of sexual jealousy as a motive in the Morse mysteries, something I started thinking about after reading The Remorseful Day this summer.

Om Shanti

[–] !!!deleted!!! (67791493) 8 years ago

I always hesitate to give out spoilers since you never know who's reading, but if you're asking about female culprits in general, there are a number. For the novels, Last Seen Wearing and The Way Through the Woods spring to mind, coming about as close to the femme fatale as we get with Morse. Also, Service of all The Dead involves an Orient Express-style conspiracy and although she doesn't physically commit murders and is herself almost killed, one of the co-conspirators is female. And of course, I can't forget Death is Now my Neighbor and The Remorseful Day, the last two novels. I recently read the Remorseful Day and it involves women as both the killer and the initial victim. Also Last Bus to Woodstock, as well as the Daughters of Caine, which has an all-female conspiracy.

There are a few more instances sprinkled throughout the TV episodes: Deceived by Flight has a murderess and Ghost in the Machine features Patricia Hodge as a decidedly unsympathetic wife/widow of an academic. Settling of the Sun is another episode with a female co-conspirator with whom Morse was closely involved for a time. Dead on Time involves an old love interest of Morse's. Greeks Bearing Gifts has a wife framing a husband.

There are probably a few others with female killers or conspirators but those are the ones that come to mind. To be clear, all of the novels I listed in this post were also adapted for TV and Last Seen Wearing is the only one in which the killer was changed for the adaptation. Colin Dexter actually has a fair number of female murders. It may have something to do with the consistent prevalence of sexual jealousy as a motive in the Morse mysteries, something I started thinking about after reading The Remorseful Day this summer.

This is great, and thank for getting back to me in a timely manner. :))

I also had a question about who the woman was that did him in, murder pun intended, in that he hesitates with women he meets past attraction? He mentions in one episode about a woman from his past he can't emotionally let go of. Any idea whom and why? If you've read all the novels, can you please fill me in? I've watched "Endeavor" (as should you if you haven't already about young Morse that takes place in the '60s and is tight as they say ;) and saw his fling with the nurse he took more seriously than her. And his attachment for Joan Thursday too that has yet to be explored because as my last recollection she just ups and leaves in Series 3 the last filmed as I type this.

GFW

[–] chester-copperpot-1 9 years ago

- Sgt. Lewis is doing all the work! Morse is too busy chasing skirts and jumping to the wrong conclusions. Lewis understands computers and does the bulk of the detective work while Morse solves crossword puzzles and visits the ladies. Am I right or am I biased?!

No, you're right, and you're not biased. The thing is that the notion is very deliberate. Colin Dexter wanted an anti-hero of sorts, that often made mistakes, often went with the heart, and often came to the wrong conclusions, and always too late. That's one of the main points of the Morse character. So, there's really no way to criticize his character flaws, as they are intrinsic to his character. For better and for worse, we're stuck with a very human womanizer that drinks too much... :)

[–] podracer96 9 years ago

You see, I missed that point! Possible consequence of coming into the world of Morse so very late in the game.

Which one of the Morse novels would say put this point across the best?

And if I should read one Morse novel by Colin Dexter, which would it be? I don't care that I already know who the killer is in all of them.

Would love to know your recommendation(s).

------
The world moves for love. It kneels before it in awe.

[–] chester-copperpot-1 9 years ago

I have no idea, I only read the first novel, Death of Jericho. And to my mind, it wasn't particularely good. I'd guess Dexter developed his style, so the later books should be a better read.

I have seen the Morse series at least five or six times back to back, and though the pace may meander, it's still in my opinion the best detective series of the last thirty years. And it's only 33 episodes. Go chronologically and see them all, is my suggestion. They are worth it.

If you don't have the time, there should be a thread in this forum where people discuss the merits of the individual episodes. Pick the five best, is my suggestion. Vox populi is usually right in this question, and the top five or top ten that people mention should be the best of the best. There are some magnificent stand outs, and they are usually mentioned.

[–] JukeBox-Bill 9 years ago

Death of Jericho is not the first Inspector Morse novel by Colin Dexter. It was only the first adaptation into a TV film.

The chronological order of the novels are:

Last Bus to Woodstock (1975)
Last Seen Wearing (1976)
The Silent World of Nicholas Quinn (1977)
Service of All the Dead (1979)
The Dead of Jericho (1981)
The Riddle of the Third Mile (1983)
The Secret of Annexe 3 (1986)
The Wench is Dead (1989)
The Jewel That Was Ours (1991)
The Way Through the Woods (1992)
The Daughters of Cain (1994)
Death is Now My Neighbour (1996)
The Remorseful Day (1999)

Although Last Bus to Woodstock is the first novel, it's also one of the best, both novel and TV adaptation.

And to answer the question of the topic starter: You should begin by watching the Inspector Morse episodes. At least those, which are based on the original novels. Then watch the spin-offs, which are a by-product of the Inspector Morse series to exploit the success of the series.

But if you are really interested in the character of Morse: read the books.

====================================
What if this is as good as it gets?

[–] omega2010 9 years ago

Heck, I can recall two episodes (the tragic Dead on Time and The Way Through the Woods) where Lewis solved the case before Morse. There's a good reason Lewis was given his own show.

[–] ttimgents 9 years ago

Watch is many Morse episodes as you can that are available to you before you watch the final episode, The Remorseful Day.....

[–] willjohn 9 years ago

The Lewis series followed on after John Thaw died. That is the reason Whateley got his own series.

[–] Jes' Sayin' (6361) a year ago

I don't think that's right. John Thaw filmed the Morse episode that showed the death of the character, so Morse "died" before Mr. Thaw did.

[–] lawson14 9 years ago

You MUST MUST watch the Inspector Lewis pilot. It is a truly wonderful interwoven episode that includes many references to Morse. The plot partially rests on crossword puzzle and the word puzzle that Morse left. In addition there is the very brief appearance of the Red Jag, a musical competition sponsored by Morse and attended by Lewis, and many other nods to Morse.

In addition, there is the tension of whether Lewis will actually have a position, but Lewis just solves his case and at the very last moment gets word that the position is his and Hathaway becomes his bagman.

In addition, you will find out very quickly why the suit and tie is such a good look. Witness Lewis in the worst ever leisure suit. Absolutely painful.

As another note, to quickly establish Lewis' status as a widower there is the mournful visit to the gravesite of his wife. And this is not the first time this motif is used. In the pilot of Last of the Summer Wine (another British series) Clegg makes an equally mournful visit to his wife's gravesite.

[–] robin1956 8 years ago

For Lewis my favorite episode is Life Born of Fire in the second season. I like the pilot episode but you don't see it very much.

[–] !!!deleted!!! (67791493) 8 years ago

I've now entered S4 and notice 'stars' (other actors now famous or with their own series) have started appearing, which is a sign the show had 'caught on' and many wanted to be a part of it. That said, I notice the use of cue music and serious close-ups along with an improvement in directing, NOT that anything was 'wrong' or out of whack with its inception. One of the reason I adore BBC stuff is they use every single thing to their benefit to make even low-cost filming exact in its depiction to enhance the episode. You'll see it all... love that about them. The slow turning of the camera to capture everything. I'd go on but you get the point.

I have some questions too. Love the quote line by Lewis that comes to pass, "But many that are first shall be last, and the last shall be first." Then he answers him with, "It means one of these days I'm going to be (CI) and you're going to be sergeant, sir." Of course Morse is never downsized, that I recall, to sergeant but Lewis does indeed become Chief Inspector.

My question is this. In one episode he nods his head then drops it when asked by a woman if he never married because of one. Who was this? What happened? Did he get his heart broke or "hesitate" in how the 'working woman' told him? Loved her line by the way, and yes, I captured it. "You're hesitant because you've never found what you're really capable of. If you did, you'd have the confidence for anything forever after, with any woman." The scene fads to the next so we get the impression he did not test it out with her, though she liked the challenge. Next we see him remembering her sentiments with the lady doctor. Now in S4 he's gone only to be replaced with a man. Do we find out what happened with her? She fancied him.

GFW