The German Woman

This really just gets better all the time. The character development of the main protagonists is gently, but effectively carried out, with Michael Kitchen's performance as the quietly calm Superintendent simply outstanding. His ability to convey the full range of emotions, without ever having to resort to shouting or histrionics could be used a Masterclass. Anthony Howell as Det Sgt Paul Milner gives an equally outstanding performance, particularly as he is reduced to a minor character in the first two evidently introductory episodes. Now that the series seems to be hitting its stride, he has progressed from shell-shocked self pity to a nicely judged desperation when faced by his unsympathetic wife. These two main characters are both likeable and plausible and have the ability to gain our sympathies to the extent that the odd plot weakness (notably the final denouement of week 3) can be overlooked. I want to know what happens to them so I do hope there will be a further series.

One of 6 episodes produced, the only drama series i have not missed an episode of in the last decade. Michael Kitchen heads an excellent cast with strong support from the other regulars characters all developed brilliantly over the series(such as his enthusiastic driver, with a a clergyman father's old values overthrown by his daughter's enthusiasms and benefit to the police). What distinguishes this episode and those that followed is the viewer is unable to understand fully the motive for the main murder let alone whodunnit. Its educational in that it focuses on the seriouis side of those at home during the war - no Dad's Army here, and the main detective's natural assumptive way in dealing with people is so refreshing, no mannered acting, just intelligent and to the point. Such lines as "No, you're still lying like you did when we last met, what's it to be " are great. Hopefully more to come.

It's 1940 and England is under siege by the Germans. The U.S. is in maintaining its isolationist pose which the Japanese are going to change in a year. The episode begins with an Austrian man, who was a part of the Austrian Philharmonic but had to leave after speaking out against the oppressors, being put in an internment camp along with his wife. He was seen taking a picture of his wife with a borrowed camera and hence labeled a spy. His wife dies at the camp and their nephew tries to intervene and get him out. We are introduced to Detective Foyle's, who has been sent to a village to root out a ring that is taking money to keep young men out of the army. While there, he runs into a frightened community, who are bristling at anything Deutsch. A rich man has a wife who is German and she becomes a suspicious character. After a bomb is dropped on the village, she is murdered. There are numerous layers to investigate here, including the death of a young bar maid. Also, Foyle's son heads off to war. This is the story of a man trying to reclaim his purpose and dignity. It is a subtle and masterful use of acting and wonderful settings to tell a very good story. I look forward to more.

The two episodes that I have seen are wonderfully written and the acting is superb. Michael Kitchen is appropriately low keyed and is probably George Smiley's cousin. The 1940's are vividly presented and the historical revelations of the mixture of defeatism, fear and resolution are effectively portrayed.

ITV had tried several times to find a replacement for Inspector Morse, when it brought us Foyle's War it managed to do just that. The German Woman sets the precedent for a wonderful series, it was beautifully written, superbly acted, fantastically produced, interesting, and simply captivating.

Foyle's War often makes you think of how the War affected different groups of people. We all have ideas of what life was like for everyday Brits, but for Germans living in the UK, life must have been unbearable, the episode manages to show both sides of the argument, and weave the natural fears into the plot. The writing is so incredibly rich, there is so much going on, so much detail, it's impressive when you think of how much is going on, the introduction of Foyle, the story of his son, Samantha's character and story, Milner's story and the actual crime and corruption surrounding the main players.

It is no wonder is lasted so long, and developed such a loyal following. What an immaculate start to a superb series.