Twilight of the Gods

Morse begins this episode as a groupie. His great love of opera and opera singers finds him attending recital at Oxford by a famous singer. We are exposed to the reality that she is a tyrant, a petulant nightmare. As she is about to be honored near the great library, a shot rings out and she falls to the ground. This shooting gets our detective all hot and bothered. He begins to overreact a bit. But things aren't all that simple for the two detectives. We are made aware that the singer's being is connected to a multitude of entities. Another plot line happens early on as a freelance writer is found murdered by a riverbank. And there is a controversial building about to be constructed. Some very colorful characters come to the fore and Morse learns a few lessons.

I find this episode to be totally unbearable. Robert Hardys character is vile. The abuse he dishes out and the sexism etc is intolerable and unnecessary.

I won't waste any more time other than to say that this episode is most uncharacteristic and bears no resemblance to the classic Morse approach.

Horrible.

This may not be the best Morse but it is not a bad introduction to the series. Of course, only fans would understand why for instance Morse is so put off after Gwladys Probert's death. Or Lord Hinksey's constant politically incorrect and very haughty British remarks. Let alone Oxford mores, like their constant fastidiousness (like "at the library" all the time), how they look down on everybody, and their prim & proper attitude: witness Lady Hinksey's face of disgust when "Pierre", the gay black hairdresser, sits next to her. By the way, there are 2 confirmed and 1 "suspected" gays at least here, making it one of the most "pink", episodes, and giving one of the best lines of Morse ever, the one when the dean speaks about his musical liking (Cole Porter), and what does it mean about his personality. The hypocrisy of mumbling one (true) answer, and the saying something totally opposite for keeping up appearances is what makes Morse be what it is.

The murder(s) are rather irrelevant, what matters in this case are the character descriptions, some funny scenes (yes, Lewis can be "attractive" to cultured Vavasseur :)) and Brigitte de Plessy's rather odd explanation on how sex life ruled the diva's frequent staff changes and relationship with her nice sister (all in all, a botched attempt in terms of plot, but interesting hypothesis anyway). For cinema buffs, Arabella Baydon was, yes, Rachel Weisz, looking incredibly young, and probably more beautiful than ever. Andrew Baydon's take on Oxford: "when will it modernize" and the answer it gets "Why should it?" are also part of the "jewels", like Gentile Bellocchio's short but expressive monologue on why, being a mediocre artist, he could be in help of a bigger Artist, and that was all there was for him.

Morse says near the end his "philosopical" credo: "Between Art and life, given people like Baydon, I choose Art". No wonder we witness him standing up and cheering for the diva, but following his police duties begrudgingly. But for when there's an opportunity for an ironic remark or a sneer. Or a beer :). One just can't say enough good things about John Gielgud.

I wonder how good would Morse be as an Art critic, if being a police inspector is definitely not what he likes best...

An episode that finds Morse in his element. He is enthralled after seeing a famous opera singer perform and then devastated when she is shot. The shooting takes place during an Oxford University ceremony. The fact that Morse then gets to hobnob with the highest echelons of the university and that the victim is an opera singer makes for Morse in his most natural surroundings. There's also the case of the murdered journalist, which may or may not be linked.

While the mystery and its solving are great, the highlight of the episode is the appearance and performance of (89-year-old) Sir John Gielgud as Lord Hinksey, the Chancellor of Oxford University. His is largely a comedic role as he delivers some great put-downs and other snide remarks and delivers them perfectly. Wonderfully funny.

By contrast, in terms of point on their career arc, the cast also includes a 22/23-year-old Rachel Weisz in one of her earliest roles. She had yet to make her cinematic debut at this stage.

Oxford at its finest, ceremony, art, opera, Welsh tarts, and of course murder. Morse is baffled, he has to look into the death of someone who's talent he greatly appreciated.

I jest when I say about the story, it is of course wonderful, smart and cerebral, the plot develops nicely, and the ending comes as a real surprise.

There is plenty of humour throughout, they truly make the most our of the pomp and ceremony, but the best laughs come from Robert Hardy, he is sensational as always, his constant shouting out, and choice of words are so funny.

How on Earth did they manage to get Sir John Gielgud into an episode of Morse? However they managed it, the legendary actor gives a tremendous performance, he is absolutely wonderful, every line is delivered with precision and quality, wonderful to watch. The late Sheila Gish gives us a great character with Gwladys Probert, great fun.

It contains the funniest line from Morse's history, I like Cole Porter, what does that tell you about me? reply that you're a closet gay, it's hilarious.

It's a.class act, 9/10.