A middle-aged Oxford graduate is found murdered. The investigation implicates a senior university figure and leads to a long-hidden secret.A middle-aged Oxford graduate is found murdered. The investigation implicates a senior university figure and leads to a long-hidden secret.A middle-aged Oxford graduate is found murdered. The investigation implicates a senior university figure and leads to a long-hidden secret.
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- (scenes deleted)
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- All cast & crew
- Production, box office & more at IMDbPro
Storyline
Did you know
- TriviaAt one point, Professor Gold (Anna Massey) asks Lewis if they have ever met before. She then says that Lewis was working with Morse. Anna Massey played the character of Lady Emily Balcombe in the Morse episode 'Happy Families (1992).'
- Quotes
DI Robert Lewis: We were wondering if you could translate something for us.
DS James Hathaway: [Hathaway hands over the document in Greek to the professor] I managed to translate some of it, but these three lines... well, they are all Greek to me.
Prof. Margaret Gold: You are a scholar?
DS James Hathaway: Yes.
Prof. Margaret Gold: Cambridge?
DS James Hathaway: What makes you ask that?
Prof. Margaret Gold: It would explain your limitations.
After a promising pilot episode in "Reputation", "Whom the Gods Would Destroy" kicks off the first season and it is a great start. Regarding how it fares in comparison to "Reputation" it is an improvement, with more consistent dialogue and acting. Complaints are very few. Innocent is still not that interesting (Superintendent Strange she ain't) and not easy to warm to, Rebecca Front is a very capable actress deserving of better. Also after the last murder, the fate of the person responsible is not really that buyable for a second.
Most of the acting is fine though, anchored by Kevin Whately and Laurence Fox. Whately is again very good and carries the episode with aplomb, even if Lewis becomes better developed later. Fox is a breath of fresh air in a great contrasting role that reminds one of a more intelligent Lewis in his younger days and his sparkling sparring chemistry with Whately is a big part of the episode's, and show's, appeal. Clare Holman is reliably strong as well. The support acting is just as good, with Richard Dillane sinking his teeth into the pretty detestable role of Theodore Platt.
As to be expected, the production values in "Whom the Gods Would Destroy" are of very high quality. It's beautifully shot, and Oxford not only looks exquisite but is like a supporting character in itself. Barrington Pheloung returns as composer, and does a first-rate job. The theme tune, while not as iconic or quite as clever as Morse's, is very pleasant to listen to, the episode is charmingly and hauntingly scored and the use of pre-existing music is very well-incorporated.
Much of the writing is smart and thoughtful, some lovely droll exchanges with Lewis and Hathaway, some emotional impact and a real effort to tie up everything. The story is once again compelling and while complicated easy to follow with plenty of twists and turns.
All in all, great episode and starts the first season on a high note. 9/10 Bethany Cox
- TheLittleSongbird
- Jun 8, 2017
Details
- Release date
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- Filming locations
- Allanbay Park, Howe Lane, Binfield, Berkshire, England, UK(Platt's house: interior and exterior)
- Production companies
- See more company credits at IMDbPro
- Runtime1 hour 33 minutes
- Color
- Aspect ratio
- 1.78 : 1