Deadly Slumber

When the head of a medical clinic is found asphyxiated in his garage, the father of a one of his brain-dead patients becomes the prime suspect.

This was my first exposure to Inspector Morse. I suspect it will not be my last, as a few more have made their way on to my list of things to see. What made this a good story, besides the excellent detective work, is the series of twists and turns.

Now, anyone who knows how murder mysteries goes will expect a few curve balls. It is far too easy to go after the local bookie for a murder -- surely the real answer is much more complicated. Which makes this such a wonderful story, because along the way the detective and the bookie develop a friendship while still maintaining a cat and mouse attitude. This is an excellent script.

Really can't multitask for the last half hour of this episode as there are so many developments! This episode breaks a bit with tradition because several of the usual Morse features missing and the focus is definitely on the suspects. Whilst there's multiple levels of tragedy, it is very much about emotion as there's nothing particularly graphic. There are lots of original plot details packed in, and some different interactions which is great to see so far into a series as Season Seven. With little references to the Morse Universe, this could easily be watched as a stand-alone mystery, or watched as a re-run out of sequence.

The usual high level of performance from the entire cast, and it feels like there were more really good plot twists and misdirections than in most episodes. I think the course of events to the final unknotting (I think it expresses what I mean more precisely than "denouement") makes this perhaps the darkest episode of the whole thirteen-year run.

This is an excellent episode of Morse, with a terrific story, awesome characters, and some particularly good performances, notably Brian Cox.

It is saddest episode of Morse, very tragic, with a heartbreaking thread running through, Mr Stebbings and his poor daughter. Brian Cox is outstanding, and delivers a truly sincere, moving performance. His scenes with Thaw are terrific, so moving.

A great, dramatic opening, a truly baffling mystery, murder or suicide?

Janet Suzman, Jason Durr, Penny Downie, all terrific, this is a superbly produced drama, the visuals are sublime, it looks gorgeous, with some glorious location work.

A truly great episode, but then, was there ever a bad one? Just variations of brilliance. 9/10

If you are a fan, this one is a treat, easily one of the best. The story has layers and evn the layers have layers, interesting throughout. A true mystery.