A special two-hour drama called Lewis aired on ITV in the U.K. tonight, inspired by the immensely popular Inspector Morse novels and television series created by Colin Dexter. It's been almost six years since viewers saw the last of the enigmatic detective Endeavour Morse (John Thaw) and his persistent sidekick Detective Sergeant Lewis (Kevin Whatley), when Colin Dexter killed the character off in the final episode, The Remorseful Day, only to be followed by the sad death of John Thaw in 2002.
However, the character of Lewis proved to be so popular with readers and viewers that ITV decided that it merited a follow-up series, and commissioned a one-off pilot to test the water.
I have to admit, I was cynical at first, but the quality of Morse productions in the past has never failed to hit the mark in over 30 feature-length episodes -- from the filming to the music, to the dialogue, acting and script -- not to mention to fabulous setting of Oxford in England -- and providing Carlton Productions invested the same time, effort and resources into Lewis, any fears of a watery sequel could be easily salved.
Warning: spoilers after the jump.
It turns out, there was nothing to worry about; Lewis hit the mark yet again, in every way imaginable.
The story picked up with Robbie Lewis returning to Oxford Police from a foreign attachment, carrying the burden of
his wife's death at the hands of a hit-and-run driver three years earlier, and facing a dwindling career in police
training -- but before finding himself embroiled in an investigation into the murder of a brilliant mathematics
student.
Ably assisted by detective sergeant James Hathaway, a former theology student, Lewis embarks on a
bewilderingly complex murder hunt and uncovers clues left by his late partner, Morse, hidden in the files of a related
case from five years in the past.
The ghost of Morse was present in more than just the subtle crossword
clues and Shakespearean references peppered throughout the plot; his presence was embedded in the sharp exchanges
between Lewis and Hathaway, and in the sullen search for answers as Lewis slowly uncovered a complex web of deceit
engulfing a wealthy car-building family and an honoured university professor.
Everything Morse had, Lewis
built on; including Barrington Pheloung's sumptuous and motif-ridden music, as the straight-thinking, ever-persistent
detective inspector Lewis groped his way through the intellectual minefield of Hamlet references and mathematical
equations, to finally catch the culprit, only to face a typically Pyrrhic ending when the murderer ignobly commited
suicide.
I sincerely hope the ratings were high enough for ITV to commission more of Lewis; he's a worthy character in an all-too-rare, high-brow detective show,
plodding his beat through an enchanting English landscape and topped off with production values that could put the
movie industry to shame.
Sunday nights would be a much better place with two hours of such high-quality
drama to help round off the week.
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
2-06-2006 @ 4:15PM
trev king said...
come on what are you waiting for it was 100% magic so start making more
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2-07-2006 @ 5:54AM
Mike Roberts said...
Taped it on sunday last and was looking forward to watching it. Was a little worried if they could carry it off without the presence of the late John Thaw.
Watched it yesterday and was very impressed. They recaptured the atmosphere and setting of Morse without trying to be Morse II. LEWIS stands by itelf. Of course there will be connections and references, Morse would always be an influence on Lewis' character. Making Lewis a widower does put more of an 'edge' on the character and allows him to become a workaholic I suspect, but my favourite update was the new Sgt Hathaway. I really like this new character and if a series is commissioned I do hope they don't spoil it by dropping him.
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2-09-2006 @ 7:38AM
Heedy said...
"Lewis" lived right up to expectations. Congratulations to ITV on another great drama. Unlike an earlier poster, I thought it was a tiny bit let down by the music score - I found it not a patch on the original Morse theme. Given that there is so much that is carried over from Morse I would have preferred the use of the original music and maybe even the series name (as was the case with Taggart).
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2-10-2006 @ 4:58PM
Liv-Ellen said...
Please let's have some more of Lewis. I thought it was a good follow on to Morse, and I did not mind the reference to the latter. Lewis is a worthy successor. He learnt a lot from his boss and has his own contributions to make.
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2-17-2006 @ 10:05AM
Insouciant said...
I have no "source", but I think I heard that they will make 4 more "Lewis" episodes this year.
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2-17-2006 @ 11:35AM
trevor said...
I THOUGH LEWIS WAS GOOD IT BROUGH MEMORIES . IAM AFAN OF THE CITY OF OXFORD
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2-24-2006 @ 7:27AM
Keith Anderson said...
I saw the pilot episode of Lewis last night. It was a joy to watch. It still had the 'feel' of Morse helped by the location and music but the writers have excelled in the characterisation of Lewis and James Hathaway. At last a great British show with some class! Definitely worth making a series.
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2-25-2006 @ 11:56PM
Sheila said...
I'm so happy to hear that "Lewis" is getting such great reviews. I read about the episode on a different website. (UK folks raving about it) I hope it will be shown in the US.
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3-03-2006 @ 11:13PM
Christopher yow said...
Ha that sound great I wish I could have see it but down here in Austraila we may never get it. I love Morse and i always like LEWIS.
I don't guest any one tape it and be albe to send me a copy I pay the for post and tape. or does any one have it so i can downlaod it ? please let me now by email me at ra_27y@hotmail.com
If not i just hope we get it here real soon. great info on it.
I'll be back on this soon to see if there more info on it.
Thanks for the
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3-04-2006 @ 4:37PM
Claire Orridge said...
This sounds amazing! I loved Morse and was very sad when it came to an end, and even more sadened by John Thaw's death a couple of years after. I would have loved to have seen this but unfortunately it was not shown here in New Zealand where I now live, but hopefully there will be a series and eventually we will get it here. Sound's like ITV have hit on a winner here.
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3-19-2006 @ 7:41AM
jorgen jensen said...
I am still looking forward to see this first episode, but I am living in denmark, so it will surely take somme timme time before it wil be broadcasted.
Is it possible somehow to buy the episode: The ghost of inspector Morse.
kindly regards
Jorgen
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4-02-2006 @ 5:39AM
Ian said...
Does anyone have a copy of the programme (as I missed it) they they could share? Thanks a million! Ian
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4-28-2006 @ 7:31AM
Michele said...
I was late seeing this as it was taped for me but then I didn't have time to watch the tape for several weeks. However I've now watched it twice, and still found it brilliant, moving, lovely and thoroughly enjoyable. I didn't think the Morse references were overdone - rather they were in the manner of crossword clues themselves. I liked the way they've made Lewis a widower because it gives him a darkness he didn't have as Morse's "bagman". What made me laugh and cry at the same time was Lewis telling Hathaway "No mine's a pint. Orange Juice is it?" and throwing him the car keys - a pure Morse moment (and Morse's favourite riverside pub too)...
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1-30-2006 @ 8:41AM
David Williams said...
I agree that 'Lewis' thoroughly deserves more outings. It still preserved all the best parts of 'Morse', although, in my opinion, did try to be a little too cute with too many references to Morse himself (the Jaguar, the music prize, the crossword clue etc.) However, I can forgive that in the first episode of a spin-off as long as it doesn't become a habit in future episodes. Making Lewis a widower was a smart move, as it makes him a slightly darker and more complex character, adding to the interest and ensuring less predictability in his reactions. Also, whilst it was important to show that Lewis isn't Morse, it makes sense that he's learnt a few tricks from his former mentor (cf Heisenberg's Uncertainty Principle).
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1-30-2006 @ 10:31AM
Ian said...
I thought that Kevin WHatley was most anxious not to get type cast and here he is again?
I didn't see the ep cus I don't line in the UK, but it sounds like they want the character to back into a "Morse" roll 100%. An intelligent officer, downtrodden, sad personal life, under-rated by Superiors etc..... Strange the original character seemed to be the new style officer and here he becomes another Morse. Still might be fun for a series or so.
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1-30-2006 @ 4:25PM
Adam said...
More ITV, more!
What a great drama! Note: not spin-off; drama.
Subtlety and style combined with elegance and macabre to create a stylistically individual piece, whilst referencing its inspiration (namely "Morse") - as was required in linking the series, but it did not linger unnecessarily, and a new atmosphere was created, with equal brilliance to its forerunner.
With respect to Ian (comment above), "it sounds like they want the character to back into a "Morse" roll 100%", I protest. Lewis' style remains but his situation and position in time-context has changed. "Lewis" remains faithful to its characters and setting, and I hope it runs and runs!
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1-30-2006 @ 4:30PM
Adam said...
PS: Huge congratulations to Pheloung's score, which put the cherry on the icing on the cake.
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1-31-2006 @ 4:04PM
Carol Quinn said...
I so enjoyed Lewis, what a delight. Please make it into a series.
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2-02-2006 @ 4:49PM
Rolf Hass said...
I hope there will be a re-run, as I missed it unfortunately. Just watched all Morse Episodes on DVD.
Regards from Germany
Rolf
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2-02-2006 @ 5:19PM
Mark Byfield said...
Lewis was outstanding. We thoroughly enjoyed it and hope there will be more soon. I couldn't have asked for a better replacement to a much missed Morse!
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