Icarus
- Episode aired Jul 29, 2018
- TV-14
- 1h 29m
IMDb RATING
8.7/10
1.2K
YOUR RATING
After the mysterious disappearance of a teacher, Endeavour finds himself investigating the dark and secret world of a public school.After the mysterious disappearance of a teacher, Endeavour finds himself investigating the dark and secret world of a public school.After the mysterious disappearance of a teacher, Endeavour finds himself investigating the dark and secret world of a public school.
- Director
- Writers
- All cast & crew
- Production, box office & more at IMDbPro
Storyline
Did you know
- TriviaLily Lesser, who plays "Ravenna Mackenzie", is the real life daughter of Anton Lesser, "Chief Superintendent Reginald Bright".
- GoofsWhen the head is showing Morse around the school he casually tells him that in addition to his classroom duties he will also be a housemaster. Being a housemaster is a very senior role within a school - a position which one would need to apply for explicitly after gaining considerable experience. There's no way that a new recruit with practically no experience would be appointed as one.
He might have been attached to a house as a tutor.
- Quotes
Dr. Max DeBryn: Gentlemen. I'll start with George if I may. We don't want him lying in such company a moment longer than he has to.
- Crazy creditsThe final credits clue is Ubermensch. The concept of a superior man or Superman, from Nietsche.
- ConnectionsReferences Daktari (1966)
- SoundtracksMain Theme
Main Theme by Barrington Pheloung
Featured review
Dark secrets at school
As said in my review for the entire show three 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.
The pilot was a very promising start if with an understandable finding its feet feel. Things got even better with the consistently outstanding first season, and the darker Season 2 was hardly inferior, with "Neverland" being an 'Endeavour' 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. Likewise with Season 4, with its weak point being the soap operatic Joan subplot in "Harvest".
Season 5 has been very impressive with all the episodes ranging from very good ("Cartouche") to outstanding ("Quartet" especially). While "Icarus" is not quite as brilliant as "Quartet", it is a fine way to end the season.
Personally thought that the episode could have gone into more detail with explaining a couple of the red herrings, especially the blood stained shirt.
More of a problem was Bright's attitude during the aftermath of the episode's shock event, it didn't ring true to me and was rather frustrating especially when you see great development and a sympathetic side to Bright in episodes like "Passenger".
However, love Morse and Trewlove together and their roles in the episode. Viewers have questioned its necessity and implausibility, but to me it was entertaining, thoughtfully done and made me like Trewlove even more than my positive opinion of her already.
Felt very sorry for Thursday here, the dark elements are as suspenseful as those in "Quartet" and the shock event is a contender for the most shocking 'Endeavour' scene and brings a devastatingly sombre effect in the aftermath. The unsettlement that comes with the prospect of change and moving on adds to this and is one that is easy to relate to, coming from somebody who finds change unsettling on an everyday basis.
Mystery is incredibly compelling throughout, with both alertness and breathing space. It is eventful without being over-stuffed, complicated without being confusing and cleverly twisted without being improbable. Morse continues to be a fascinating, complex and well rounded character that reminds one of the older Morse. The personal life elements do not get soapy, nor do they take over. Just for the record, as said a few times already, am liking that 'Endeavour' increased in maturity over the years, not that it wasn't already but meaning that it got darker and tackled heavier themes yet still to me didn't feel like a different show.
Nothing can be faulted with the production values. It is exquisitely filmed and the idyllic and atmospheric setting is beautifully evoked, 1960s Oxford is always interesting to see.
There is something very nostalgic and charming about the atmospherically evoked 1960s period detail. Similarly, as always, the music is hauntingly beautiful with the way it's utilised never in question, the iconic 'Inspector Morse' theme will forever be immortal and it has always been a genius move to use it for 'Endeavour'.
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'.
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, 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.
Dakota Blue Richards, Lewis Peek and Anton Lesser are also excellent, especially Richards. Likewise with the supporting cast, with some sinister schoolboys in the mix.
Overall, a fine way to end an impressive season and a great episode on its own. 9/10 Bethany Cox
The pilot was a very promising start if with an understandable finding its feet feel. Things got even better with the consistently outstanding first season, and the darker Season 2 was hardly inferior, with "Neverland" being an 'Endeavour' 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. Likewise with Season 4, with its weak point being the soap operatic Joan subplot in "Harvest".
Season 5 has been very impressive with all the episodes ranging from very good ("Cartouche") to outstanding ("Quartet" especially). While "Icarus" is not quite as brilliant as "Quartet", it is a fine way to end the season.
Personally thought that the episode could have gone into more detail with explaining a couple of the red herrings, especially the blood stained shirt.
More of a problem was Bright's attitude during the aftermath of the episode's shock event, it didn't ring true to me and was rather frustrating especially when you see great development and a sympathetic side to Bright in episodes like "Passenger".
However, love Morse and Trewlove together and their roles in the episode. Viewers have questioned its necessity and implausibility, but to me it was entertaining, thoughtfully done and made me like Trewlove even more than my positive opinion of her already.
Felt very sorry for Thursday here, the dark elements are as suspenseful as those in "Quartet" and the shock event is a contender for the most shocking 'Endeavour' scene and brings a devastatingly sombre effect in the aftermath. The unsettlement that comes with the prospect of change and moving on adds to this and is one that is easy to relate to, coming from somebody who finds change unsettling on an everyday basis.
Mystery is incredibly compelling throughout, with both alertness and breathing space. It is eventful without being over-stuffed, complicated without being confusing and cleverly twisted without being improbable. Morse continues to be a fascinating, complex and well rounded character that reminds one of the older Morse. The personal life elements do not get soapy, nor do they take over. Just for the record, as said a few times already, am liking that 'Endeavour' increased in maturity over the years, not that it wasn't already but meaning that it got darker and tackled heavier themes yet still to me didn't feel like a different show.
Nothing can be faulted with the production values. It is exquisitely filmed and the idyllic and atmospheric setting is beautifully evoked, 1960s Oxford is always interesting to see.
There is something very nostalgic and charming about the atmospherically evoked 1960s period detail. Similarly, as always, the music is hauntingly beautiful with the way it's utilised never in question, the iconic 'Inspector Morse' theme will forever be immortal and it has always been a genius move to use it for 'Endeavour'.
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'.
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, 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.
Dakota Blue Richards, Lewis Peek and Anton Lesser are also excellent, especially Richards. Likewise with the supporting cast, with some sinister schoolboys in the mix.
Overall, a fine way to end an impressive season and a great episode on its own. 9/10 Bethany Cox
helpful•357
- TheLittleSongbird
- Mar 12, 2018
Details
- Runtime1 hour 29 minutes
- Color
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