TheLittleSongbird I have all 33 episodes and all the books, and I think this crime drama is without question the best show that ever came on our screens. Each episode has a reason for watching it. They did change the character of Morse completely, but I don't care. I prefer John Thaw's Morse, he is somewhat more likable. The late John Thaw was an outstanding actor, and Inspector Morse is his best role. He is just phenomenal, as is Kevin Whately as Lewis. Morse is a sensitive character here, when he is listening to his classical music with the camera looking into these mysterious blue eyes, it is just extraordinary. The music is just amazing with that clever haunting theme tune, and the recurring excerpts of Mozart and Wagner. Inspector Morse also benefits from consistently superb camera work and exceptionally written scripts. It has also boasted stars such as Clive Swift, Roger Lloyd Pack, Zoe Wannamaker and Paul Freeman. Favourite episode? Has to be Masonic Mysteries, the victim's scream actually made my heart go in my mouth. The final episode is heart-rending, and I couldn't bear to finish the book, because it was so sad. Great stuff! 10/10. Bethany Cox

kabrorsen I am sorry, I never had the chance to meet John Thaw. He gave so much to his part as Chief Inspector Morse, and I always admired him for this. By that, I mean, I read a couple of Colin Dexter's novels, and I absolutely found them good - but sorry, not outstanding. But with Thaw came the elegance, personality - not 100% the precise character from the novels, no luckily John Thaw's personal version of Morse. I agree with another comment on this site, the TV version clearly surpasses the original novels.One of many fantastic things about this TV series is the fact, that the recipe was clear from day one. There is not one really bad episode among - impressive considering the many years, it took to shoot all the episodes. Actually the series almost starts with one of my favourite episodes "Silent World Of Nicholas Quinn" (1986) - and almost ends with one of them "Death Is Now My Neighbour" (1997). But in between we are treated with masterpieces such as "Who Killed Harry Field", "Driven To Distraction", "Decieved By Flight" - and my personal favourite "Death Of The Self". Each of the these episodes show how outstanding an actor John Thaw was - and how good the series really is.It is my favourite detective series, and it is simply one masterpiece after another.

combatreview This is kind of a spoiler, I suppose... because basically every episode goes like this:Morse: "Shut up Lewis, you're from Liverpool and don't understand about clever things, like musical snobbery."Lewis: "That's right sir, I'm just a poor scouser, but can I point out something completely obvious so that you can look pained and then realise I've got a point, in my simple working class way?"Morse: "If you must Lewis, but I have a large collection of old recordings of Maria Callas going la la la in French, singing about cigarette factories and traditional Spanish cruelty to animals, so naturally I'm not going to listen."Lewis: "But surely sir, the murderer is the famous guest actor with a role in the story inversely proportional to their position on the cast list?"Morse: "Shut up Lewis. Oh, hello Inspector Strange. I'm a detective with a 100% clear-up rate (better than Sherlock Holmes, in fact) and yet you're still always grumpy with me, and behave like I'm an amateur in need of your advice. And that name's a bit dodgy, this isn't a Dickens novel you know."Strange: "You're Getting Too Involved Morse"Morose: "Don't I always. After all, I've just met an attractive middle-aged woman that I'm going to make a slightly charmless and old-fashioned move on, without realizing that naturally this means she will either be a murderer, or be murdered, within the next 35 minutes, or just tell me to clear off for being such an abrasive old meany. Fortunately Oxford has an unlimited supply of middle-aged opera-loving attractive single women. Or is it Cambridge? I can never remember. Oh well, whatever. Inspector Morse, Thames Valley CID. Shut up Lewis. Let's go down the pub so that we can get more sponsorship from the Brewers."It's Bergerac with Middle-Class Pretensions, basically.

dblack-14 This series was distinguished by its consistent quality of acting and plausible plots. The sometimes acid interaction that graced the relationship between Morse and Lewis made their mutual respect more believable. Morse's steadfast refusal to reveal his given name added good continuity to the dialogue from episode to episode.With the passing of John Thaw, I would like to see a follow-on series starring Kevin Whatley as an Inspector Lewis, with many of the previous regulars carried over.The theme music by Barrington Phelong has one of those haunting melodies that just won't leave my head.