Having recently been, and just finished being, on a roll reviewing all the episodes of 'Lewis', which generally was very enjoyable before having some disappointments later on, it occurred to me to do the same for 'Inspector Morse's' (one of my favourites for over a decade, and all the episodes were also reviewed in my first year on IMDb eight years ago) prequel series 'Endeavour'.
As said in my review for the entire show two years ago, 'Endeavour' is not just a more than worthy prequel series to one of my favourite detective dramas of all time and goes very well with it, but it is a great series on its own as well. It maintains everything that makes 'Inspector Morse' so good, while also containing enough to make it its own, and in my mind 'Inspector Morse', 'Lewis' and 'Endeavour' go perfectly well together.
Was very impressed by the pilot episode, even with a very understandable slight finding-its-feet feel (that is true of a lot of shows, exceptions like 'Morse' itself, 'A Touch of Frost' and 'Midsomer Murders', which started off great and were remarkably well established, are fairly few. The first season was even better, with all the episodes being outstanding. Season 2 took a darker turn, but once again all the episodes were great (even with "Trove" having one of 'Endeavour's' most far-fetched and over-complicated endings, great episode otherwise), with the weakest one "Sway" still being very good, "Neverland" especially was exceptional and a show high-point.
Season 3 is considered by fans as nowhere near as good as previously. Will admit that it is not as good as Seasons 1 and 2, which had more believable stories and didn't try to do too much but count me in as someone who has still enjoyed the episodes and has found a lot to like, while finding "Coda" outstanding.
"Game" was such a terrific start for Season 4. It was nearly perfect, apart from a couple of things that came across as odd. Didn't buy that Morse didn't make an official complaint over the missing paper (something he absolutely should have done and it may have marginally cooled his understandable anger and confusion, such a decision was rather out of character for him being someone who wouldn't stand for corruption) or Bright doing the equivalent of nothing (for his position that was pretty incompetent).
Conversely, there is nothing that can be faulted with the production values. It is exquisitely filmed, especially that truly glistening opening shot, and how everything is lit which enhances the atmosphere hugely, and there is something very nostalgic and charming about the atmospherically evoked 1960s period detail. Anybody else find those swimming baths eerie as well? Barrington Pheloung as composer for 'Endeavour' was always a genius move, the music is still hauntingly beautiful, and the 'Inspector Morse' theme is still immortal. The use of Satie was quite moving.
Writing, as has been said many times in my reviews for the previous 'Endeavour' episodes, is every bit as intelligent, entertaining and tense as the previous episodes and as the best of 'Morse', with some funny lines from Max. Enjoyed the references to the first Morse episode "The Dead of Jericho", 'The Day Today', Douglas Adams and the 1970 'Colossus' film.
The story is both creepy and poignant, with the changing dynamic between Morse and Thursday powerfully done, really felt for Thursday in his depressive grief and one can understand Morse's simmering anger and confusion. It doesn't suffer from too many characters or red herrings that some of Season 3 did. The pacing is restrained, but that allows the atmosphere to come through, and pretty much all the same it excels in that aspect. The characters are interesting, lead and supporting, "), with Morse displaying more recognisable character quirks with each episode and as aforementioned it is impossible not to love his relationship with Thursday.
Shaun Evans as ever does some powerful, charismatic work as younger Morse, showing enough loyalty to John Thaw's iconic Morse while making the character his own too. Roger Allam is also superb, his rapport with Evans always compels and entertains but Thursday is quite a sympathetic character, as well as loyal and firm, and Allam does a lot special with a role that could have been less interesting possibly in lesser hands. Oh, and to me, courtesy of Ashley Pearce "Game" is one of the best-directed 'Endeavour' episodes.
In conclusion, terrific. 9/10 Bethany Cox
As said in my review for the entire show two years ago, 'Endeavour' is not just a more than worthy prequel series to one of my favourite detective dramas of all time and goes very well with it, but it is a great series on its own as well. It maintains everything that makes 'Inspector Morse' so good, while also containing enough to make it its own, and in my mind 'Inspector Morse', 'Lewis' and 'Endeavour' go perfectly well together.
Was very impressed by the pilot episode, even with a very understandable slight finding-its-feet feel (that is true of a lot of shows, exceptions like 'Morse' itself, 'A Touch of Frost' and 'Midsomer Murders', which started off great and were remarkably well established, are fairly few. The first season was even better, with all the episodes being outstanding. Season 2 took a darker turn, but once again all the episodes were great (even with "Trove" having one of 'Endeavour's' most far-fetched and over-complicated endings, great episode otherwise), with the weakest one "Sway" still being very good, "Neverland" especially was exceptional and a show high-point.
Season 3 is considered by fans as nowhere near as good as previously. Will admit that it is not as good as Seasons 1 and 2, which had more believable stories and didn't try to do too much but count me in as someone who has still enjoyed the episodes and has found a lot to like, while finding "Coda" outstanding.
"Game" was such a terrific start for Season 4. It was nearly perfect, apart from a couple of things that came across as odd. Didn't buy that Morse didn't make an official complaint over the missing paper (something he absolutely should have done and it may have marginally cooled his understandable anger and confusion, such a decision was rather out of character for him being someone who wouldn't stand for corruption) or Bright doing the equivalent of nothing (for his position that was pretty incompetent).
Conversely, there is nothing that can be faulted with the production values. It is exquisitely filmed, especially that truly glistening opening shot, and how everything is lit which enhances the atmosphere hugely, and there is something very nostalgic and charming about the atmospherically evoked 1960s period detail. Anybody else find those swimming baths eerie as well? Barrington Pheloung as composer for 'Endeavour' was always a genius move, the music is still hauntingly beautiful, and the 'Inspector Morse' theme is still immortal. The use of Satie was quite moving.
Writing, as has been said many times in my reviews for the previous 'Endeavour' episodes, is every bit as intelligent, entertaining and tense as the previous episodes and as the best of 'Morse', with some funny lines from Max. Enjoyed the references to the first Morse episode "The Dead of Jericho", 'The Day Today', Douglas Adams and the 1970 'Colossus' film.
The story is both creepy and poignant, with the changing dynamic between Morse and Thursday powerfully done, really felt for Thursday in his depressive grief and one can understand Morse's simmering anger and confusion. It doesn't suffer from too many characters or red herrings that some of Season 3 did. The pacing is restrained, but that allows the atmosphere to come through, and pretty much all the same it excels in that aspect. The characters are interesting, lead and supporting, "), with Morse displaying more recognisable character quirks with each episode and as aforementioned it is impossible not to love his relationship with Thursday.
Shaun Evans as ever does some powerful, charismatic work as younger Morse, showing enough loyalty to John Thaw's iconic Morse while making the character his own too. Roger Allam is also superb, his rapport with Evans always compels and entertains but Thursday is quite a sympathetic character, as well as loyal and firm, and Allam does a lot special with a role that could have been less interesting possibly in lesser hands. Oh, and to me, courtesy of Ashley Pearce "Game" is one of the best-directed 'Endeavour' episodes.
In conclusion, terrific. 9/10 Bethany Cox