Counter Culture Blues

Counter Culture Blues is the standout episode of Lewis, it may not be the best mystery of the series, although it is terrific, but the characters and cast are huge, enormously memorable, plus it contains the rather grisly means of death, and a dramatic ending.

Lewis is so animated in this episode, he's sometimes a little quiet in character, especially when compared to his forthright colleague, but Whately is terrific here.

The combination of David Hayman and Joanna Lumley is just magical, a huge deal of charisma and on screen presence, but I believe in the pairs characters totally.

Very different in tone to the rest of the episodes, but this is a classic. 9/10

Inspector Lewis (Kevin Whately) becomes tied up in a case that brings back his youth in "Counter Culture Blues," from the third season of Inspector Lewis.

When Morse and Hathaway investigate a noise disturbance on a farm, they discover the member of a '60s band, Midnight Addiction. In fact, the group is about to enjoy a renaissance. Their old singer, Esme (Joanna Lumley), believed to have committed suicide 35 years ago, has reappeared, and they're ready to start up again. Then a young man is killed on the farm, followed by a group member and an expert on the group who teaches music. They all have one thing in common: the band. But untangling the group's past relationships and learning their many secrets isn't going to be easy.

Midnight Addiction is quasi-based on The Rolling Stones, and the casting people found the most wasted looking, dried out, exhausted looking individuals they could find as group members. They're all excellent. Joanna Lumley is great as Esme, who claims that she wants to try it all again just one more time.

I actually liked this episode. One of the reasons is that one has to pay attention. These plots are not dumbed down, and I love the relationship between Hathaway and Lewis, and the two of them with their commander. Very good.

Oh, yes. There may be a plot hole or two, as other reviews mention. When I saw it for the first time a couple of years ago, the plot probably bothered me, and I forgot about the whole experience.

I just watched the episode again, and I could really not keep up with the jokes, puns and hilarious exchanges, because I was laughing so hard. I wonder how I could have missed them the first time - maybe I was too tired and had enough problems following the plot.

The entire script is probably worthy of being added to the "Memorable Quotes" section, you have to pay attention (and not laugh too hard) to get them all. "Frolicking bloody baa-lambs", indeed.

Never mind the plot, just enjoy the fantastic chemistry between Lewis, Hathaway, Dr. Hobson and the Chief Superintendent. This is an outstanding series, and I consider getting it on DVD just for this episode, to see it again and finally get all the jokes and odd references.

The charm of Inspector Lewis and the entire Morse/Endeavour universe has been and always will be the beautiful musical score. The episode is the exception to that rule. This music will assault your ears. It's painfully horrible. "Baby...why'd you have to leave me that way?" Oh my goodness, that song is badly written, badly sung and not believable as a rock and roll classic as portrayed. Decent story and good writing as you would expect from this fantastic series but, the music does not live up to the standard of a Morse/Lewis/Endeavour.

A few years before Midsomer Murders did a similar plot and did it much better. While I'm a big fan of Midsomer Murders, imitation is not the best form of flattery. Lewis is a more serious show and the multiple murders and bizarre situations is just not its cup of tea.