Elise

The final instalment of Foyle's War was up to its usual brilliant standard but the producers' attempt to draw attention to shocking mismanagement within SOE may have missed its target. Not a single reviewer seems to have twigged that what was being hinted at was SOE's Dutch Section's criminal incompetence which cost the lives of some 50 secret agents, nearly all of whom were arrested by the Nazis on arrival. They were later murdered in the Mauthausen concentration camp. From the German side the operation was run by just two skilful policemen who patiently led SOE down the garden path for two years, while in the process also breaking the British codes. The scandal has never been satisfactorily investigated because too many reputations were at stake, both in the Netherlands and in the UK. If you want to learn more about it, a reasonable start is to look up "Englandspiel" (England Game) in Wikipedia and then to follow up the footnotes.

Having watched the whole 8 series and thoroughly enjoying it, the last three episodes were pretty boring, and this, the last was dire.

Firstly not enough Foyle and his great deduction. Too many unecessary flashbacks, in slow motion and soppy sentimental music. Oh and if you hadn't realised that the title had a double meaning - also a title of a Beethoven piece, it was played many, many times just in case you didn't get the connection.

Poor acting, especially from the weedy gangland mastermind, and some of his cronies and those he was blackmailing, and the Miles character

Poor performances all around really - Sam following a suspect and employing a SOE officer to create a diversion - she wouldn't have the common sense to do this. Adam her husband the drippy Labour MP, so naive and seeing good in everyone, even the racketeer selling goods in the market!

Why on earth were Sam and hubby at the funeral??? She hadn't met the person, and he certainly hadn't. She couldn't have been driving Foyle!

It was a long winded, way too long episode, with the story flagging, flashbacks of the terrible actress who was so bravely off to France.

Disappointing, no wonder no more were made.

On 2 August 2019, rayhart-z99 (who is clearly very knowledgeable about Special Operation Executive operations in WWII) said, "the aircraft ferrying SOE agents should have been a Westland Lysander, but rather oddly looks like a Piper Cub."

Both statements are true. The aircraft should have been a Westland Lysander, and it should have been painted black with red markings and subdued insignia. However, as far as I know, there are no Lysanders available in flying condition. The aircraft is an Auster J1N (similar to a Piper Cub) Civil Registration G-AJAJ. It is almost identical to the Auster light aircraft used by the British Army and RAF during WWII for liaison and artillery spotting duties. Although it was not used (as far as I know) for agent insertion and egress missions, and if it were so used, it would not have been in those peacetime markings, I think it is close enough to be plausible.

And the beautiful De Havilland Dragon Rapide. G-AKIF is completely accurate as a post-war regional airliner.

I can't think of many shows that end in sheer brilliance, but how fitting for a fabulous show like Foyle's War that it should end with an episode like Elise.

The transformation from war time murder mystery drama to John Le Carre styled thrillers has been incredible. When you watch the early episodes they have a very Agatha Christie/Midsomer Murders feel to them, please don't take that as a criticism, far from it, I love both, but the latter episodes are very different.

Elise deals with the shooting of Hilda, illegal trading, Police corruption, treachery, and of course spies.

Fantastic from start to finish, a fabulous story, superb production values, and incredible acting. Michael Kitchen as great as ever, he's been incredible throughout the show and signs off in style, loved his scenes with Honeysuckle Weeks. If I'm honest, the standout in this episode was Ellie Haddington, Hilda has been an interesting character, and grown in stature, in Elise she was very much centre stage, and performed expertly.

Such a quality episode, I always thought Foyle's War was intended as a replacement for Morse and Poirot. Thank goodness we at least have Endeavour.

Thanks Michael Kitchen and co. 10/10

The 2014-filmed final series rounds off the two-season, six-episode "comeback" following the initial "retirement" of the series by ITV.

We look into some of the secrets and realities of the dirty war waged across Europe by SOE during WW2 - and the costs involved.

Hilda Pierce receives a fitting send-off as she "did it her way". Foyle is as magnificent and taciturn as ever, supported by the customary cast members. Even the bus looks right, passing in the background.

Now, on to fanfiction!