The German Woman

I think, on my third viewing of this series, that I can marshal my thoughts appropriately. Not enough credit, in my opinion, goes to the Casting Directors of successful series. Michael Kitchen, Honeysuckle Weeks and Anthony Howell were perfect as the lead characters throughout this series. In this episode (as throughout the series) we are presented with reality in 1940s Britain. When Foyle and his son catch a large fish and are able to say happily "That's a main course!" it's because others would be eating only on official rations (that they had not caught). American viewers might not pick up on that small cultural quirk - people were suffering even then. My mother told me how she sheltered down in the tube tunnels as the bombs fell - during her ninetieth birthday party she wore a jacket she had crocheted in the tube to take her mind off the bombs falling. Life was hard, then, and this series captures the spirit of the age

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.

Loved 'Foyle's War' and was immediately hooked when first getting into it. Love it even more now, on re-watches things that didn't quite make sense at first are clearer and things that were not noticed or appreciated before are and much admired. Everything that came over as brilliant on first viewings still are brilliant on re-watches.

"The German Woman" is a wonderful beginning. When first getting into 'Foyle's War', there was the thought that it was hard to get into at first. Not so when re-watching "The German Woman", where for so early on so much is so well established in terms of character development, tone and themes. The story is a complicated one but also a very compelling and clever one where the surprises keep coming, the final solution was shocking but made sense, everything that needed to make sense did.

Always have admired the visual detail that went into 'Foyle's Show' and how high quality the production values are, with beautiful costumes, the evocative way the characters are made up, the look of the houses and cars, pretty locations and authentic-looking scenery. The music is in keeping with the mood and doesn't overpower the drama while still making an impact. Chopin C sharp minor Nocturne is one of the most touching and haunting beautiful pieces for piano and in general ever written.

Writing is intelligent, sophisticated and thought-provoking, establishing Foyle's personality with so much depth already and providing some tense and heart-tugging moments. The story is complicated, with a lot of strands that requires full attention, but clever and from start to finish intriguing. It paces itself deliberately but with so much going on it's never once dull.

One thing that wasn't picked up by me but now is and admired hugely is the tackling of what was seen as truths but some really misconceptions and seeing British during the war in a new light. This was a bold move and dealt with with a lot of honesty and tact. The character tensions were also handled very well and added a lot of intrigue as is Foyle's personal life.

Michael Kitchen is truly superb as Foyle, subtle, intensely determined, commanding and above all human. One of the most interesting television detectives there's ever been and Kitchen has rarely been better. Honeysuckle Weeks is charming and loyal and Anthony Howell is wonderful.

In the supporting roles, particularly standing out are an appreciatively restrained Robert Hardy, a luminous and hardly ill-at-ease Rosamund Pike very early in her career and an unnervingly suspicious Joanna Kanska. Dominic Mafham was also effective.

Overall, truly wonderful beginning and did a truly great job setting up for what was to come. 10/10 Bethany Cox

Crime Traveller was a science fiction series by writer Anthony Horowitz that was so flawed, it rather put me off Horowitz's other works.

Foyle's War concerns the tenacious and methodical Detective Chief Superintendent Christopher Foyle who in the first episode wants a transfer.

The episode begins in May 1940 when Germans living in Britain are labelled as aliens and are being interned. One Austrian émigré and his wife are interned when he seen using a camera and his wife dies. His wife's nephews wants an investigation and have his uncle released, especially when a German woman in the village who is married to the local squire and magistrate is free to do and go as she pleases.

However once her decapitated body is found, Foyle investigates, he is assisted by his new lady driver and an injured policeman in hospital.

The German bombings in the southeast coast of England has inspired anti German feeling which means there are a lot of suspects. Foyle uncovers favours were used to ensure that the victim avoided internment and a complex web of lies which led to her murder.

This is a strong opening episode, not an easy one to fathom. Foyle is a honest copper but not the most likable or chatty. He is rather short with his new driver but more caring towards the injured policeman and also anxious about his son joining up. The production values were good.

I've only seen one edition of this series but instantly I could see what a classic series it must become (and I normally don't like detective series of any description - saw this one by chance). This is excellent.

The period production is brilliant with lots of old cars, houses, and a brilliant recreation of the 1940s; add to this the War in the background and the programme gives a magnificent depiction of the domestic front during the War, what with all of the profiteering, the pressure on police, etc. How do you deal with mundane murder at home when it's magnified a thousand fold in the battlefield?

That is the main theme of the series.

Michael Kitchen is a revelation and will surely go down with the greatest of all television detectives - along with Poirot (Suchet), Maigret and all the others. It's as if his whole career has been waiting for this role.

Fantastic series.