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TIT

'Masterpiece Mystery: Inspector Lewis Collection'
(Kevin Whately, Laurence Fox, Clare Holman, et al / 10-DVD / NR / 2013 / PBS)

Overview: Inspired by the Inspector Morse novels of Colin Dexter, Inspector Robert Lewis (Kevin Whately) steps out of the shadow of his mentor—the inimitable Inspector Morse (John Thaw)—in this highly-acclaimed series of 27 intricate mysteries.

DVD Verdict: Well, as it seems back in the UK that they have agreed that we have now most likely seen the last ever episode of 'Lewis,' this welcomed DVD box-set is truly something that us fans of the British detective series have all been waiting for.

For the record, it contains all 27 episodes in the six seasons of 'Inspector Lewis' including the original pilot. And read this carefully: THEY ARE ALL FULL UK-LENGTH EDITION! I say this because back in the old days on PBS, they used to edit 10-15 minutes out of each episode that they showed on Masterpiece Mystery! I know, right!

Which means you always have to purchase the PBS UK TV shows that say 'Original UK Edition' on the front of the cover. Much like this one, of course, as now pointed out. Ok, now that is out of the way let's just skim the murky UK crime waters here and give you a taste (if you're new to 'Lewis') of what to expect.

Oh, and for the record (again) I loved, loved all the 'Inspector Morse' episodes and was soooooo happy to see that 'Inspector Lewis' was 'born' for our TV viewing pleasures.

And, straight from the off, it's not that he strives to live up to the legacy of his late long-time partner, the legendary Inspector Morse (John Thaw), but moreover can't seem to escape him here in Oxford. And, for the record, and much like Midsomer, how such complicated murders keep happening, and how anybody still lives in these two areas safely is beyond me!

Anyway, in the pilot (2005), Lewis is fresh of the plane from a few years spent in British Columbia heading up their task force (to get away from the death of Morse and then his wife in a hit and run accident), and into the waiting arms of DS James Hathaway (Laurence Fox). And, as paid comment to above, his first case (still clothed for the sunshine) is an old, unfinished Morse case!

Laurence Fox as DS James Hathaway is simply brilliant as Lewis' "bag man," and carries his performance high on shoulders of granite; his vocal tone both alluring and uber intelligent.

OK, are we all caught up ... good, so let's tell you about the episodes, shall we. 'Whom The Gods Would Destroy' is first up and Lewis and Hathaway are soon investigating a murder involving a group called the Sons of the Twice Born - named after an epithet of Dionysus relating to his birth, whose activities are shrouded in Greek codes, quotes from Nietzsche and a Dionysian fondness for drugs. Come the final plot twist, well, it's all a little neat but works well.

In 'Old School Ties,' when an ambitious Oxford student is found dead in her hotel room after inviting a reformed computer hacker to speak at the Union, Lewis and Hathaway are called in to investigate. Lewis dislikes the speaker from the off, even though they are both Geordies, but he knows best; as always! We also learn more about his partner, Hathaway: who is shown to be a speed reader and he plays guitar in a church band. "I'd like to nick that Professor," says Lewis. "What for?" inquires Hathaway? "For being a pompous idiot!" Also, stay till the very end as it plays out with a very 'cute' scene between the two officers!

And skipping over a few so you can explore them yourself, in the final episode of the second season, 'The Point Of Vanishing, Lewis and Hathaway look into the murder of a man found drowned in his VERY HOT bath tub! The man is first identified as a man who once attempted to murder Tom Rattenbury, a celebrated atheist, but instead crippled Rattenbury's daughter, Jessica. But, as is the case in most all these episodes, not everything is what it initially seems. Also, a 31 year-old female office is given the title of Inspector above Hathaway, which rankles him, but (as it turns out) he is more invested in her as a person than the thought of her over-stepping him in the job! A Renaissance painting, The Hunt in the Forest (also known as simply The Hunt) by the Italian artist Paolo Uccello, is a key clue in the mystery.

In the first episode of the third season, 'Counter Culture Blues,' Lewis finds himself in the unfortunate position of policing the heroes of his youth when he's sent to censure a rock legend for firing off his hunting rifle during the local Sunday service. But then, as a fan, he runs into the supposedly-dead figure of the bands singer, Esme Ford (played in fine form as usual, by the lovely Joanna Lumley).

In 'The Dead of Winter,' still reeling from a recent, grueling case-ending with the discovery of a murdered young girl, Hathaway finds himself investigating the murder of Dr. Stephen Black at Crevecoeur Hall; a sprawling Oxford estate on which Hathaway spent much of his childhood. Along the way, Lewis 'adopts' a stray cat, has a barney with Hathaway, and informs his boss re: Hathaway, that "He's an awkward sod at the best of times, but he's my awkward sod!"

Bypassing a couple to allow you to discover them for yourselves, in the final episode, 'Falling Darkness,' on Halloween, called to a scene as she's leaving for the evening, Dr. Hobson finds the friend she was on her way to meet dead, with a stake through her heart and garlic in her throat! I knoooooow! Anyway, though the pathologist is officially removed from the case, Lewis and Hathaway are happy to have a trusted face in their investigation.

As we enter the fourth season there is a new ease in the Lewis-Hathaway team, which only enhances the enjoyment of being in Oxford with Inspector Lewis! While these episodes can stand alone, watch the earlier series first in order to appreciate the awkward, slow, and sometimes bittersweet road to a working relationship between Lewis and Hathaway, as well as the awakening of romantic feelings between Robbie and Laura. There are so many layers to these episodes (the beautiful visuals of Oxford, the music, the characters and plot) that they can be watched again and again with no loss of enjoyment!

The fifth season in the series follows the strong tradition set by the earlier series. We thought that Oxford seemed like a dangerous place to live as the body count mounted during the time of Inspector Morse. Lewis continues to add rather alarmingly to the death toll. As previously these episodes are quite varied. For example, this time round one episode concerns the strange death of a babysitter, whilst the final episode involves the mysterious death of a visiting lecturer which may have racial overtones. The lengthy feature film format gives the stories time to develop fully in an unhurried manner.

And come the sixth and final season, which has just three episodes: 'Down Among the Fearful,' 'The Ramblin' Boy' and 'Intelligent Design,' we take the last run down Oxfordshire with our leading men. In 'Down Among the Fearful,' a young psychology student is "called out" and is then found dead in mysterious circumstances. Laurence Fox as Hathaway gets to wear a neck brace for the entire episode due to a rear-ending in the car chase scene and therein looks like a lolloping giraffe the entire time! Another girl dies and things really take off for Lewis and co. Although, in truth I had guessed whodunnit @ the 30 minute mark - and why!

In 'The Ramblin' Boy,' an episode starring the great once-Dr. Who actor Peter Davision, a dinner party held by him for "friends" turns bad and a body is discovered. Down at the mortuary bodies appear to be getting mixed-up, and one of the dinner guests, an old colleague of Lewis, Chief Superintendent Martin Cornish, has gone missing. Add to that the fact that Hathaway is second-guessing his career choice and so takes a "sabbatical" in another country, well, that leaves Lewis with a young eager cop replacement to shuffle along next to. A real twister this one, that actually manages to bring Hathaway into it still, it also features a classic Lewis line: "I'm always happy. My face is just misleading, that's all!"

In the final episode of the series, 'Intelligent Design,' starring the brilliant, truly great Edward Fox (that voice of his is screen lush even today) a man just out of prison for having killed a young girl in a drunk driving accident years before, is killed the very same night he is released. Lewis is now himself considering retirement, and his obvious devotion towards Dr. Laura Hobson (Clare Holman) comes to a about-bloody-time head! But, again, who the real killer is is obvious halfway through! But, to add one final Morse-like twist to the sage, during construction on a Church, a dessicated body is found in its attic - where the murdered man's wife is Reverend! Take care Lewis and Hathaway, it was great having you around, my friend. This is a Widescreen Presentation (1.85:1) enhanced for 16x9 TVs and comes with the Special Feature of one hour of bonus videos including “The Making of ...” and an interview with Kevin Whately.

www.PBS.org





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