Elise

This is the second time I am reviewing a Foyle that is supposed to be the last, but I am not complaining because I got to watch three more episodes, and that puts me ahead in the bargain.

I am gob-smacked at how different this is from the first-generation Foyles. This episode, a highly cynical look at the clandestine services, has more in common with a Le Carre novel than with a Foyle adventure. In fact, Foyle is no longer the centrepiece here, he is merely a component of a complex clockwork of a plot that, once wound, must proceed to its ultimate conclusion.

It is almost pitch-perfect. One might argue there are lulls but I suggest these are the result of false expectations. If you were expecting a simple police procedural, you will be disappointed. If you wanted the whole series wrapped with ribbons and bows, you are likely in the right spot.

I will repeat again that the notion of placing Honeysuckle Weeks in jeopardy every single episode is the only atonal element. It was fun the first time, seemed forced the second time, and so on.

I also loved the fast joke in the last 60s seconds when Weeks discloses her condition and Kitchen, sub vocce, says he will manage, but perhaps not "the country." I will miss Foyle. Really.

So much research and period accuracy supports the brilliant acting and complex, challenging story line. Watched it three times, one after the other.

Just one little glitch - the aircraft ferrying SOE agents should have been a Westland Lysander, but rather oddly looks like a Piper Cub. Put me right someone?

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.

This may well be the best of all episodes of this outstanding series. It starts out with Hilda being shot by a young man, filled with venom, shouting "for Elise." We have three concerns. First, will Hilda survive? Secondly, who is this guy? And third, who is Elise. We find out along the way that there are power hungry individuals who don't care how many bodies lie in their wake. It turns out that Hilda had the job of recruiting young women into the special services. The mortality rate for these girls was abominable. It is interesting how many times demagogues manage to look after their own butts and allow the deaths of others in the name of patriotism. One particular character sees it all as necessary to rebuilding of England. So a few twenty somethings get blown away. They are just doing their duty (these guys never have to face any sort of danger). Well, that is stripped away when this young fellow begins trying to kill people and some of the hangers- on start to shake in their boots. This has one of the most dramatic conclusions as any final episode of any television show I can recall. I am glad I got turned on to this show. I have enjoyed every one, even the occasional clinker.

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