Hearing about 'Lewis' for the first time when it first started, there was a big touch of excitement seeing as 'Inspector Morse' was and still is one of my favourites but also a little intrepidation, wondering whether the series would be as good. The good news is, like the prequel series 'Endeavour', 'Lewis' is every bit as good as 'Inspector Morse' and stands very well on its own two feet as a detective mystery and show in general.
'Lewis' was a show that started off promisingly with the pilot and the first season, while getting even better with a more settled Season 2 where the show hit its stride. Season 3 was more of a mixed bag (not a bad season at all, but started a little disappointingly, though better than reputed, with one of the show's generally lesser episodes "Allegory of Love"). Season 4 generally was one of the better seasons of 'Lewis', with all the episodes very good to great, and Season 5 was solid with the only disappointment being "The Mind Has Mountains".
Season 6 started off very well with "The Soul of Genius", while "Generation of Vipers" was even better. Unfortunately, "Fearful Symmetry" was very disappointing and has always been one of my least favourite 'Lewis' episodes. On the other side of the coin, fortunately the season gets back on track with a great finale and its best episode "The Indelible Stain".
The show's seventh season has suffered from the rather bizarre decision to split its three episodes into two halves, meaning having to wait until the next week until the conclusion. In all three of the Season 7 episodes, this has proved to be rather awkward and in "Down Among the Fearful" and "The Ramblin' Boy" ran the risk of forgetting what happened previously and being even more confused by events and who the characters were.
"Intelligent Design" generally is the best episode of Season 7, with the first half showing a good deal of promise. Luckily the second half is even better, making the episode suffer the least of the Season 7 episodes being split. It signals Lewis' retirement but actually carried on for another two seasons. At the time of the episode airing, it was touted as the final episode of 'Lewis' and while a very good, and showing signs of greatness, episode the farewell seemed somewhat too quiet and inconclusive. Pretty much the only real criticism I had with the second half.
For one thing, the ending feels much more rounded off, with a sublime final scene paying homage (or so it seemed to me) to one of the best 'Inspector Morse' episodes "The Remorseful Day", an episode that is impossible to forget after viewing and reduces me to an emotional wreck every time. The characters are also more defined and one gets to know them better and connect with them.
As always the acting is solid, on the other hand, with Kevin Whately very good and Laurence Fox a breath of fresh air. Their chemistry is wholly convincing, always a huge part of the show's charm, with a strong contrast between Lewis being the world weary one with the hunches and Hathaway being the more logical and witty. Really like the chemistry between Lewis and Hobson (Clare Holman doesn't disappoint) too.
Production values are of very high quality. It's beautifully shot as always, 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.
Some of the writing is thoughtful and fun and the story is compelling, the episode of Season 7 to suffer from pacing issues and convolution the least by quite some way. The final solution is not far-fetched or confusing, even if the perpetrator is not a huge surprise while not being too obvious.
Overall, a very good episode showing signs of greatness. 9/10 Bethany Cox
