Who Killed Harry Field?

An average Morse episode is to be a bad episode. Such is the high bar Morse sets.

Who killed Harry Field is a chore. It's turgid, chaotic in an unmorse manner.

I've just watched this and never felt invol Consequently, I didn't actually care who did it or didn't do it.

There's little story. The red herrings are meaningless and very fishythis This is one episode I won't waste my time on again.

It's redeeming feature is the beautiful countryside.

Next time I'll just look out of my window.

One of the best Morse episodes which I have just noted has a neat visual trick to enhance the idea that all you see is not always genuine. I have watched this episode 6 or 7 times over the years and only on the last viewing noticed that the scene where Morse and Lewis confront Harry senior in the Oxford art gallery shows Harry senior filmed apparently in the same spot with an old master painting behind him but each time the camera cuts between Harry and Morse or Lewis there is a different painting behind him! I counted 5 changes of background paintings and Harry senior had not moved nor had the camera angle altered. Clever way to highlight the recurring theme of the story.

This is for me one of the best Morse episodes.Freddie Jones is excellent as the father of the murder victim and he shows what a good actor he is. His scenes with John Thaw especially at the end are brilliant. Overall the story keeps you guessing until the end, with various twists in the plot. It also gives a good insight into the world of art.The scenery is fine and the whole episode has a "feel" about it, i've seen it several times and never tier of it. For Morse fans this episode has it all; Oxfordshire countryside, real ale, sophisticated suspects, stately home, an eccentric victim and lots of red herrings to keep you guessing.

An episode that sees Morse and Lewis investigate the death of an artist. This leads to some fascinating discussions about art and famous artists, to the point that I wish I knew more about the subjects. The investigation itself is just as interesting as Morse and Lewis get drips of information and it seems that they'll never unravel the case.

The ending initially feels a bit flat as there's a few unanswered questions. The series does this a lot, leaving things up in the air, to it's detriment. However, this time it's okay as the mystery is largely resolved (unlike many of the previous examples) and crime investigations are often not neatly tied up to the extent that all events are known.

The episode marks a turning point in the Morse-Lewis relationship. After generally treating Lewis with contempt before, Morse now starts to be kinder, for a variety of reasons.

The episode also produces one of the funnier scenes in the Morse series. Morse and Lewis are heading to a garage to interview the owner. Morse knows the owner as he takes his car there to be serviced but asks Lewis to conduct the interview. This is strange but Lewis goes ahead. Turns out the owner is also a Northerner and Morse can hardly understand what's he's saying (neither could I, for that matter)! Morse is essentially using Lewis as an interpreter!

As this show progressed, we get to see a sophistication that is marvelous. An unbalanced painter is found dead. We have been made privy to his drinking and dalliance; we are also treated to his talent. The problem for him and eventually for Morse is that he is, Kris Kristofferson would say, a "walking contradiction." His excesses and questionable virtues, led to a great deal of anger. His talents also led to reprisals from some very powerful people. His wife has a heavy burden but is damaged herself. We get an education in what is in the artist's soul and also into the commercial world of art. Excellent.