Driven to Distraction

As a Driving Instructor in and around the London area, this episode has always had a special place in my memory from way back when. As a Morse 'piece' it probably ranks just below the series very best episodes, but is enthralling nonetheless. Great acting as always, a seedy killer, a clever twist to the Morse know all attitude and spotting nearby locations remains a good quiz amongst those in the know.

Just one correction though, the website has an error in claiming the location for the Oxford Driving Centre is the Government's TRRL. This was actually filmed at the Harrow Driving Centre in North London(now long gone), as anyone who has worked there can readily testify. Many times i have walked that small pathway trodden by Morse and Lewis and also sat around within the 'simulator' room. Funny anecdotes from colleagues who were present during the filming are also remembered with affection, as can be seen from the odd glimpses of actual working cars in the background shots.

It is entirely possible that the later scenes set on the skid-pan were filmed at the TRRL but the earlier Driving Centre sequences were based in Harrow.

A highly recommended episode; search it out and enjoy.

Morse and Lewis are called in to investigate the murders of two beautiful women. The killer seems to choose his victims very purposefully, following them, whilst listening to Cole Porter.

I'd have to say this is perhaps one of my top three Morse episodes, I love the conflict between Morse and Lewis, Lewis was more charged, more willing to challenge Morse. Mary Jo Randle's character DS Maitland was a very interesting character, she had a deeper side story then was sometimes the norm.

Incredibly well acted, Patrick Malahyde is so good as Boynton, he's always a good guy, it's nice to see him play someone more villainous, he really makes Boynton very dis-likable. I've mentioned my hugely positive view on Mary Jo Randle, but I must also comment on how brilliant David Ryall was, boy he was good.

This Morse felt very different somehow, the ending is a huge high point, not often Morse has action scenes. It really is a chilling scene, Ryall is excellent. Brilliant. 10/10

Excellent episode. Very intriguing with a few red herrings, twists and turns. The fact that Morse seems to have his man early on makes for a change. The focus then becomes finding evidence rather than figuring out who did it and why, which not how Morse usually operates.

Even then there's still a few good twists in store.

Morse also has a second Sergeant on this one, Sergeant Maitland. Her presence makes for a new dynamic, not just because it's not just Morse and Lewis but also because she's a woman and provides a different perspective. She also brings out different aspects to Morse's character.

I agree with people's comments about Morse's over the top breaking the law in pursuit of his despised number one suspect but ignoring that there are some good moments of humour (what do you call a group of pathologists?) and Patrick Malahyde is superb as the slimy car salesman/suspect.

Recommended for the utterly ludicrous climax, which has an attempted stabbing at high-speed, followed by a supporting actor stalling his car as he scrambles to the rescue, and a Hallowe'en-fake knife.

The music in the computer scene is Mozart's horn concerto no.4. Thank you.