The Last Enemy

A decapitated body is found floating in a canal, someone has gone to great lengths to disguise the identity of the body.

It's a solid episode, it's a a clever mystery, it has some wonderful characters, if also benefits from a truly wonderful performance from John Thaw, he really is at his absolute best here, some great interplay between him and Lewis, he's quite amusing here too. Terrific production values as you'd expect, not just the idyllic countryside, that goes without saying, but the shots of both the High Street and busy train Station, they look impressive, and natural.

Two things spoil this episode for me, first, the performance of Michael Aldridge, I get that his character is supposed to be larger than life, but I would say he's overacting, it's too much. Secondly, without giving away any clues as to the identity of the murderer, I would say I struggled to believe in the killer's identity to physically carry out the murders, it takes a real stretch of the imagination.

I loved Sian Thomas in this, she defines the whole era here, wonderfully 1980's, so elegant, she is wonderful in this. Teniel Evans is excellent also.

2024 is the year I started watching this remarkable series. Over the years, Ive heard my father talking about it and watching it but nit until recently did I begin ti watch it chronologically. My father has always been a huge Inspector Morse admirer. John Thaw is brilliant as the somewhat acerbic, sharp and immensely likeable Morse.

The Last Enemy does not disappoint at all. From the twisted and over the top plot it always manages to be tempered by Oxford's grayish hues and solid setting and backdrop. I love English humour and dry hued exchanges between characters. The last scene had me feeling poignant for Morse. Buying drinks for others who are more selfish and self-serving than grateful. The pathologists loss. Morse is great company even when he's brooding. He's an original. That's what makes this series wonderful to witness.

Maha.

Very very dated and so so poor. Such a tired script around tedious Oxford academic rivalries that lead to such unbelievable outcomes. Terminally ill, infirm old boys dealing in gruesome murder. It really is too pathetic for words. More and more the overly intricate plots defy any enjoyment by those who have the most rudimentary of their human reasoning capabilities left. There is also the questionable practice of clearly signalling the plot twists in the early stages, so plain to foresee that one wonders how a man so brilliant as Morse cannot see them immediately: one imagines that all who watch it must see them immediately. That does puzzle me, perhaps the only mystery here: it is quite unexplained how some seem to find these tales entertaining. It's so obvious what is going on that as has been mentioned in the summary, it's just tedious in the extreme.

This is a reworking of Colin Dexter's novel - "The Riddle of the Third Mile".The plot line keeps well with the book though character names are changed and the other alterations were principally to remove a London Strip Club.Visually with a canal plenty of Oxford scenery and an exceptionally strong supporting cast in particular involving Tenniel Evans,Michael Aldridge and Barry Foster.Morse's conversations with Sian Thomas and Amanda Hillwood in their way show how much he seems to miss a possible opportunity for happiness and with Beatie Edney the female support whilst less experienced is no less strong.I must wonder if Oxford University can approve of academics being portrayed as double crossers and jealous schemers but then it makes life more interesting.

I still think that Morse is the best drama series ever to grace British television, whilst I prefer later Morse episodes, The Last Enemy is definitely one of the better episodes. Based on the book, Riddle of the Third Mile, it consists of a discovery of a decapitated body in a river, rivalry in an Oxford college and even Morse has some humour, with the subplot of a terrible toothache. The episode benefits from gorgeous Oxford scenery, and a well-written script. Other than some alterations to some of the characters, not to mention the names, it is fairly true to the style of the book. As always, John Thaw and Kevin Whately positively shine in the title roles, and Barry Foster and Tenniel Evans also give able support. Sian Thomas, Beatie Edney and Amanda Hillwood are also excellent, and Michael Aldridge (Seymour in Last of the Summer Wine), is a pleasant surprise as Arthur Drysdale, and you actually kind of feel sorry for his character. All in all, a a very well done episode, that I am very fond of. 10/10 Bethany Cox