There's enough police dramas available to the public where one can't go five minutes without a gun appearing. Also, the characters are often brash and obviously dangerous. Death seems to be inconsequential. Here we have an introspective portrayal of thinking people. They also have histories that must be addressed to make things work. Someone complained that this season is set up to make Morse the cantankerous, cynical man he becomes. That's a criticism. This show gives us the reasons the great detective worked his way through trials and tribulations and the results are real and full of feeling. The crime here is interesting and the method for murder unique. That should be enough. But we also get at the psychological underpinnings of Endeavour. It's obvious that he comes to face his trepidation when it comes to his romantic opportunities. He was too timid to give himself happiness. Of course, the alcohol was in some cases the cause and in others the result of his uncertainties. We see here also that Thursday's heart is breaking, both for Morse and, especially, for his son.
