The daughters of Cain is one of the later episodes of Morse, and for my money it's one of the best. So often the quality of a series tails of towards the end, not here, the reverse happens. Several changes from the book, all of which benefit the production. The filming and direction are slick, the story is brilliantly told, but it is the characterisations, and the incredible performances that are behind them. It's possibly the only episode of Morse I can think of where the crime is almost irrelevant, the story of the Brooks, Mrs Stevens, Kevin etc is just so interesting, that the crime almost seems secondary. Phyllis Logan has done some fantastic stuff over the years, her portrayal of Mrs Stevens I think is one of the best. The regulars are as always brilliant, but Tony Haygarth, Gabrielle Lloyd, Amanda Ryan are just excellent. The episode also benefits from the slight injection of humour, subtle one liners throughout, plenty of sarcasm. Seemingly a simple mystery, but the Daughters of Cain is wonderfully deep and complex, there is so much going on, hate, fury, revenge, manipulation. It's an overused sentiment, but it's true to say 'they don't make them like this anymore!'
10 Reviews
A Truly Well Constructed Crime
Hitchcoc10 March 2018
Except for the murder of the Oxford man who made a dangerous discovery, it's hard to imagine Morse really putting his all into this case. The murderer is a vicious, brutal man who routinely attacks and hurts his wife, who is true to him no matter what. the schoolteacher is a tragic character who has a moral direction because she knows how ill she is. Morse, Lewis, and their superiors are at odds much of the time. We have here a sophisticated effort to keep the death of an evil man from ruining anyone's lives. There is a fascinating character: a daughter who is an escort, who is remarkable at deception.
"2 Murders cleared up at minimal expense, no costly trial"
ygwerin131 March 2020
Warning: Spoilers
Morse actually asking Strange for Lewis to get a promotion to Inspector, and from the way it was put it wasn't the first time.
Even going as far, as insisting that otherwise Lewis would get dissalusioned.
But according to Strange "All promotions are frozen". And he bemoaned the attitudes of the police management of 'Downsizing the Force'. Morse to Strange "Do they want to Downsize you?"
During the murder investigation Morse endeavours to persuade Strange, of how well matters are progressing. Morse does it expressly by enthusing about Lewis's contributions, to the case. Something that Strange takes as beyond belief, his attitude in belittling Lewis's worth sums him up precisely.
An Oxford Proffesor Dr. Felix McClure is found murdered, and a University student Mathew Rodway. Apparently committed suicide by jumping, from a University window upto the gills on dope.
The prime suspect Ted Brooks goes missing and his body turns up in the river, bound up like a mummy.
Mrs Brenda Brooks, her step daughter Brooks, and family friend Julia Stevens, are believed to be involved in the murder of Ted Brooks. But they can't prove any detail of it, especially when Julia Stevens died in hospital.
The case is officially closed which Morse agreed with, while Lewis wants to continue investigating to a final conclusion.
Strange finally payed tribute to Lewis's contribution, but only on the basis of cost and efficiency.
Stranger's comment to Lewis says it all "Two Murders cleared up at minimal expense, no costly trial. Who knows the powers that be might feel able to unfreaze a promotion, Inspectors will be as good as Chief Inspectors soon, and it will be as good as a double promotion"
But according to Strange "All promotions are frozen". And he bemoaned the attitudes of the police management of 'Downsizing the Force'. Morse to Strange "Do they want to Downsize you?"
During the murder investigation Morse endeavours to persuade Strange, of how well matters are progressing. Morse does it expressly by enthusing about Lewis's contributions, to the case. Something that Strange takes as beyond belief, his attitude in belittling Lewis's worth sums him up precisely.
An Oxford Proffesor Dr. Felix McClure is found murdered, and a University student Mathew Rodway. Apparently committed suicide by jumping, from a University window upto the gills on dope.
The prime suspect Ted Brooks goes missing and his body turns up in the river, bound up like a mummy.
Mrs Brenda Brooks, her step daughter Brooks, and family friend Julia Stevens, are believed to be involved in the murder of Ted Brooks. But they can't prove any detail of it, especially when Julia Stevens died in hospital.
The case is officially closed which Morse agreed with, while Lewis wants to continue investigating to a final conclusion.
Strange finally payed tribute to Lewis's contribution, but only on the basis of cost and efficiency.
Stranger's comment to Lewis says it all "Two Murders cleared up at minimal expense, no costly trial. Who knows the powers that be might feel able to unfreaze a promotion, Inspectors will be as good as Chief Inspectors soon, and it will be as good as a double promotion"
Brilliantly crafted episode, that is fairly faithful to the source material!
TheLittleSongbird7 July 2009
The book Daughters of Cain is a very good read, and what this episode managed to do was not only being fairly faithful to the book, but also brilliantly crafted on its own merits. I know they changed a couple of things here and there, but none of the Morse episodes are completely faithful to the books, and I assure you that is not always a bad thing. I thought there was beautiful camera-work, and wonderful close up shots of the city Oxford. The script was of high calibre, as was the direction. The acting was first rate, the obvious standouts being John Thaw and Kevin Whately, but also Tony Haygarth as the brutish husband, Gabrielle Lloyd as his timid wife and Phillis Logan as the terminally ill schoolteacher. Also nice to see Claire Holman as Dr Hobson, bringing some humorous wit to the proceedings. The plot is well told and fairly complicated. Not the most complex episode ever, but a very emphatic and well acted episode. 10/10 Bethany Cox.
Highly satisfying episode
grantss1 October 2022
An episode that started in typical Morse fashion but ended very atypically...and very satisfactorily.
We start with a murder, as tends to happen with Morse, and Morse and Lewis's investigations. One of the prime suspects is an incredibly loathsome, obnoxious, wife-beating character. When he then turns up dead it is already one of the more deserved deaths of the series. It gets even better from there.
There's a fairly emotional element to proceedings too as one of the suspects in his death is terminally ill and, if she is the murderer, it is quite poetic and the way to go out, by helping out a friend.
We start with a murder, as tends to happen with Morse, and Morse and Lewis's investigations. One of the prime suspects is an incredibly loathsome, obnoxious, wife-beating character. When he then turns up dead it is already one of the more deserved deaths of the series. It gets even better from there.
There's a fairly emotional element to proceedings too as one of the suspects in his death is terminally ill and, if she is the murderer, it is quite poetic and the way to go out, by helping out a friend.
Yes. Yes, this IS a dagger that I see before me.
rmax3048235 March 2011
Warning: Spoilers
The MacBeth theme runs all through this episode, though I don't know why. Nobody wants to become king, nor is there any woman pushing a man from behind. Instead, two murders take place, apparently independent of each other. A kind, elderly Oxfordian, Felix McClure, is stabbed to death because he found the custodian selling drugs to the students. The custodian, Tony Haygarth, a wife basher, is in turn killed as part of a conspiracy by his wife, his daughter, and a school mistress.
As usual there were a couple of loose ends I was unable to tie up. Why did the custodian feel it necessary to steal a knife added to the museum's collection in 1909 to murder the Oxford man? Considerable time is given over to the middle-aged school mistress's seduction of one of her students, later killed or badly injured while joy riding in a stolen car. What's that got to do with either of the murders? Those conundrums aside, I think I was able to follow the story well enough, and it's an engaging one too, although it doesn't exploit the scenery or the location in any way, nor is it especially amusing, nor does it introduce anything new about the characters of Morse and Lewis. The absence of those features didn't make it less interesting.
A few notes. Phyllis Logan plays the school mistress. She suffers from oestrus and something in her brain -- I think she mentions a tumor at one point -- that finally cripples her power of speech and eventually kills her. Whatever it is, it's probably located in the lower part of the left frontal lobe called Broca's area. On her deathbed all she can do is quote lines from MacBeth.
The custodian's daughter is played by Amanda Ryan, who ought to be in jail on charges of being criminally beautiful. She's dark, tall, rangy, and has gray irises that are at once cool and piercing. She's sexy too, though a real bitch. Women probably envy her but the fact is that being gorgeous can be a true curse. I know this to be the case because I am so devastatingly handsome myself. Forever greeted with schwarmerei. The phone is always ringing, sophisticated women throw themselves at my feet, and once at the Oyster Bar in Grand Central Station an attractive blond swooned while staring at me. It was embarrassing. We're really very lonely.
Finally, in this episode, there are four murderers (the custodian plus the three women who connived at his death). Maybe there are FIVE murderers if that pimply adolescent boy toy fits into the picture anywhere. Two of them go unpunished, partly because the case against them isn't strong enough and partly because Morse's boss has been told to tighten the department's belt, so he doesn't want a costly trial.
As usual there were a couple of loose ends I was unable to tie up. Why did the custodian feel it necessary to steal a knife added to the museum's collection in 1909 to murder the Oxford man? Considerable time is given over to the middle-aged school mistress's seduction of one of her students, later killed or badly injured while joy riding in a stolen car. What's that got to do with either of the murders? Those conundrums aside, I think I was able to follow the story well enough, and it's an engaging one too, although it doesn't exploit the scenery or the location in any way, nor is it especially amusing, nor does it introduce anything new about the characters of Morse and Lewis. The absence of those features didn't make it less interesting.
A few notes. Phyllis Logan plays the school mistress. She suffers from oestrus and something in her brain -- I think she mentions a tumor at one point -- that finally cripples her power of speech and eventually kills her. Whatever it is, it's probably located in the lower part of the left frontal lobe called Broca's area. On her deathbed all she can do is quote lines from MacBeth.
The custodian's daughter is played by Amanda Ryan, who ought to be in jail on charges of being criminally beautiful. She's dark, tall, rangy, and has gray irises that are at once cool and piercing. She's sexy too, though a real bitch. Women probably envy her but the fact is that being gorgeous can be a true curse. I know this to be the case because I am so devastatingly handsome myself. Forever greeted with schwarmerei. The phone is always ringing, sophisticated women throw themselves at my feet, and once at the Oyster Bar in Grand Central Station an attractive blond swooned while staring at me. It was embarrassing. We're really very lonely.
Finally, in this episode, there are four murderers (the custodian plus the three women who connived at his death). Maybe there are FIVE murderers if that pimply adolescent boy toy fits into the picture anywhere. Two of them go unpunished, partly because the case against them isn't strong enough and partly because Morse's boss has been told to tighten the department's belt, so he doesn't want a costly trial.
May be the worst ever
jonniecomet-1420916 May 2023
In an otherwise excellent, truly first-rate series, this episode is the one great glaring exception. It's got nearly all of the 'Inspector Morse' hallmarks but the plot is horribly lethargic and loopy.
There are at least two major plot holes. Without spoiling it - The first is that the first theft is never adequately explained. Oh; an explanation was posed by the characters; but in fact the reality we're expected to accept is actually counter to what's needed to support the characters' theory. The second is that the accomplice (and imagine what the accomplice must have had to do) is never adequately identified or punished but merely ignored at the end. Neither of these is in keeping with the overall reputation of the show. Compare 'Daughters of Cain' with the excellent one that follows, 'Death is my Neighbour', and see what I mean.
There are at least two major plot holes. Without spoiling it - The first is that the first theft is never adequately explained. Oh; an explanation was posed by the characters; but in fact the reality we're expected to accept is actually counter to what's needed to support the characters' theory. The second is that the accomplice (and imagine what the accomplice must have had to do) is never adequately identified or punished but merely ignored at the end. Neither of these is in keeping with the overall reputation of the show. Compare 'Daughters of Cain' with the excellent one that follows, 'Death is my Neighbour', and see what I mean.
very unsatisfying
mgl-9203726 July 2022
Warning: Spoilers
Too many characters here are complete empty caricatures. The money obsessed college fundraisers, the battered wife, and in this episode the chief constable. Two characters in particular are not believable. Mrs. Stevens, and the daughter who is a prostitute.
And in the end, they get away with murder. No thanks.
And in the end, they get away with murder. No thanks.
Cain's Daughter's what's this about?
ctyankee15 October 2013
Warning: Spoilers
Too much anger and shouting in this episode. Brenda Brooks is married to Ted who physically abuses her. Her friend Mrs Stevens knows of the abuse.
Morse is on the phone talking with someone. He is mad that a college that needs funds is calling up their former members with "Christian names" for a financial donation. He thinks the college is "selling themselves". His voice portrays the anger about using "Christian names" and who knows what it means accept some don't have "Christian names".
In this episode two murderers die and one is murdered. Two people know about a murder that was never reported, a professor at the college. Morse tells Lewis reasons why they might get off the hook if he charges them with withholding evidence because one is a abused woman and a jury would understand why she kept quiet. Morse acts like he takes a stand but he is a wimp. There are so many corrupt characters in this story who never think they are doing anything wrong and Morse seems to go along with this. It seems to me the "Morse" character is corrupt and when Lewis tries to bring out things Lewis ends up wimping out as well. Morse goes to the funeral of one of the murderers with flowers. The bad people are pitied and given sympathy. How sick is this.
In previous episodes those who were violent and killed many people ended up killing themselves. This series shows that if you kill someone and you have a good reason, Morse does not arrest you they kill themselves before or in front of him. That is the kind of justice written into this series for a inspector who drinks, fancies every woman he sees, thinks he is always right, made to be smart to the viewer because he loves classical music and can quote poetry and went to college. The writer wants to make Morse out to be an intellectual who can hang out with rich people because he went to college.
To me the stories are interesting but the plots endings are stupid. The series is about crime, rich people, college and cops that cannot see what a crime is because they are too involved with their own thoughts on what justice is.
Colin Dexter the writer is so anti-Christian. Right from the beginning in this episode. He uses Biblical characters as a title to put down religion and Christianity in a negative way in many of his stories. He does not know evil from good.
Morse is on the phone talking with someone. He is mad that a college that needs funds is calling up their former members with "Christian names" for a financial donation. He thinks the college is "selling themselves". His voice portrays the anger about using "Christian names" and who knows what it means accept some don't have "Christian names".
In this episode two murderers die and one is murdered. Two people know about a murder that was never reported, a professor at the college. Morse tells Lewis reasons why they might get off the hook if he charges them with withholding evidence because one is a abused woman and a jury would understand why she kept quiet. Morse acts like he takes a stand but he is a wimp. There are so many corrupt characters in this story who never think they are doing anything wrong and Morse seems to go along with this. It seems to me the "Morse" character is corrupt and when Lewis tries to bring out things Lewis ends up wimping out as well. Morse goes to the funeral of one of the murderers with flowers. The bad people are pitied and given sympathy. How sick is this.
In previous episodes those who were violent and killed many people ended up killing themselves. This series shows that if you kill someone and you have a good reason, Morse does not arrest you they kill themselves before or in front of him. That is the kind of justice written into this series for a inspector who drinks, fancies every woman he sees, thinks he is always right, made to be smart to the viewer because he loves classical music and can quote poetry and went to college. The writer wants to make Morse out to be an intellectual who can hang out with rich people because he went to college.
To me the stories are interesting but the plots endings are stupid. The series is about crime, rich people, college and cops that cannot see what a crime is because they are too involved with their own thoughts on what justice is.
Colin Dexter the writer is so anti-Christian. Right from the beginning in this episode. He uses Biblical characters as a title to put down religion and Christianity in a negative way in many of his stories. He does not know evil from good.
Who's who of 90s actors
SunnyDaise3 April 2024
It's a fun episode to play 'Spot The Star' as they couldn't have crammed in many more 90s TV actors, with familiar faces from Pride and Prejudice, Lovejoy, Dangerfield, Where The Heart Is, Emmerdale and of course Peak Practice. However it also contains done-to-death drama tropes too, so not a particularly interesting plot. Three decades on, in the real world, some of these abuse issues have been partially addressed but this storyline serves as a sad reminder that we still have a way to go over all. For the die-hard fans, there's a bit of foreshadowing as we approach the end of the Morse era and it is great to see the early days of Doctor Laura Hobson before her longer role in the Lewis spin-off.
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