Our fierce winds of late have ripped open the rather flimsy cover of Jackie’s self assembly greenhouse. This morning we went on a search for something more robust, and eventually found Grow-Arcs at Stewarts in Christchurch. Apart from the display model, there was only one in stock, but because they were slightly smaller than the original, we needed two. The staff dismantled the display one. We brought them home, and The Head Gardener assembled them. The now obsolete frame has, of course, been recycled against the front fence.
This afternoon I began reading Ian McEwan’s novel ‘Sweet Tooth’.
This evening we dined on egg, bacon, mushrooms, and baked beans, followed by Jackie’s apple crumble and evap. We both drank sparkling water.
Two nights ago we watched the penultimate episode of Downton Abbey. Having chronicled the saga of an English country house from the outbreak of the First World War to the years before the Second, this really had to come to an end, for the era of such grand households was in its death throes. The producers received much angry criticism for leaving a number of loose ends, in what was advertised as the final episode; clearly to encourage viewings for the Christmas special which we are now told is to come.
The era of my title is, however, not this one. It describes the tenure of the admirable Kevin Whateley first as Sergeant “Robbie” Lewis, in the Inspector Morse series, then as Detective Inspector in the spin off bearing his character’s name.
Wikipedia tells us that ‘Inspector Endeavour Morse is a fictional character in the eponymous series of detective novels by British author Colin Dexter. On television, he appears in the 33-episode 1987–2000 drama series Inspector Morse, in which John Thaw played the character; as well as the 2012 series Endeavour, portrayed by Shaun Evans. Morse originally is described as a senior CID (Criminal Investigation Department) officer with the Thames Valley Police force in Oxford, England. With a Jaguar car (a Lancia in the early novels), a thirst for English real ale and a penchant for music (especially opera and Wagner), poetry, art, classics, classic cars, and cryptic crossword puzzles, Morse presents a likeable persona, despite his sullen temperament.
(John Thaw’s photograph, left, is wrongly captioned as Kavanagh QC, another role he played. It is undoubtedly of Morse, although he didn’t get to smile much.)
‘The same source offers this further information: ‘Lewis is a British television detective drama produced for ITV. A spin-off from Inspector Morse, like that series 
it is set in Oxford.Kevin Whately reprises his character Robert “Robbie” Lewis, who was Morse’s sergeant in the original series. Lewis has now been promoted to detective inspector 
and is assisted by DS James Hathaway, portrayed by Laurence Fox, who became promoted to Inspector in the eighth series airing in 2014. The series also stars Clare Holman as forensic pathologist Dr Laura Hobson, and Angela Griffin as DS Lizzie Maddox.’ 
This précis, corrected further on the Wikipedia page omits ‘Rebecca Front as Chief Superintendent Jean Innocent (2006–2014) — She is the senior officer supervising Lewis and Hathaway. When Lewis returned from his overseas secondment Innocent was not convinced that Lewis would be of value, but he proved himself to her on his first case. Innocent is frequently at odds with Lewis over his investigation style. In Series 9, it is revealed that she has gone to work for Suffolk Constabulary.’
An interesting dynamic was created by dragging Lewis out of retirement to assist his former junior.
On 2 November 2015, ITV announced that the show would end after its ninth series, following the decision made by Kevin Whately and Laurence Fox to retire from “their roles” in the series. In a statement made by Whately, he announced that the show had gone on long enough, with his character having done many stories between Morse and Lewis after he took on the role 30 years ago.’
We watched the final episode this evening. I have been an avid follower from the beginning, and have probably seen every story. Apart from the deceased John Thaw, all the excellent actors named above, none having become typecast, should soon be gracing other roles.
I have been quite disappointed with the last series of Downton, it seemed to toggle along to show off some lovely costumes, then two big shocks that fizzled out and didn’t really lead to any story – not mentioning too much as I know it is yet to be aired in the UK. As for Morse – how great was he? I only watched a few episodes of Lewis, but missed Morse so I stopped. Am really loving the police drama River – very different and holds my attention from beginning to end.
Thank you, Sol. We, too, are gripped by River – from that hole in the head moment.
Exactly! These Scandinavian influenced dramas are creating mutual admiration for our television viewing.
Jackie has watched some of the other dubbed series. She is very keen on them.
Meant to say yet to be aired in the US and Canada
Even though I am not particularly big on crime dramas I did watch quite a lot of Inspector Morse back in the nineties I think it was. I got hooked when I realised he listened to opera for some reason – maybe there is a dearth of that on TV shows – but I ended being very fond of his character and the interactions between him and Whately. I never watched the spin offs. It’s a very long time to be playing the same role though isn’t it.
Thank you, Pauline. It is a long time, but Kevin Whately has played other roles in between, so, if he wants too, he could go on acting.
I enjoy Ian McEwan’s writing but have not read Sweet Tooth. I’ve never seen Morse but did enjoy an episode of Downton – the one with the cook being photographed by … Cec Beaton? I forget; a famous photographer, anyway. I thought ‘The End of an Era’ refers to the completion of your garden transformation. Now I think it may never happen. 🙂
Thank you, Mary. You are right about the garden project. I can’t remember the Downton episode.
I watched both Downton Abbey and Morse….I don’t watch much television but seem to favor shows out of the UK when I do!
Thank you, Cynthia. Good taste :).
I like Ian McEwan’s writing too and British dramas. John Thaw was so good as inspector Morse (and my favourite), but liked the other supporting actors, who all had interesting personalities 🙂
Thank you, Sylivie
I’ll be interested to hear your thoughts on Sweet Tooth. And in response to your post yesterday, I’ve done the same thing – started reading a book to discover that I’d actually read it several years before. It’s that weird deja vu feeling that I’ve been there before. I don’t often consciously read a work of fiction twice, unless it’s for studying. When I do it by accident I put it down to age…
Thank you, Jenny. Already, I admire his ability to write from the young woman’s perspective. What was weird about Tired and .Emotional is that I had no recollection at all.
I’m still trying to catch up on “Bonaza” and “Mr Ed”. My greenhouse of two-years-ago-birthday-gift blew to smithereens in the first gentle zephyr. We spent more time assembling and re-assembling it than we did growing any thing. It ended its brief life in the trash.
Thanks, Bruce. So you don’t waste much time with telly, then. Your greenhouse sounds a bit familiar.
LOL re greenhouse. Parts of it should have blown by now into your neck of the woods. Our TV blew up in a lightening storm 5 years ago, and we got a new one a couple of weeks back. But we haven’t as yet subscribed to any provider so we watch “I love Lucy” on Youtube downloads!!
Bonanza and I Love Lucy – I do fear for you sometimes, Bruce
Couldn’t stomach Downton, but loved Morse and the Lewis. Waiting for those episodes to be ready for download in the US. Have been enjoying spotting the actors in other things as well! I found Sweet Tooth a bit grim in the way McE can be, but of course it held me. It will be interesting to hear your take.
Thank you, Lisa. I went off McEwan because of the unpleasantness, but the reviews of this one tempted me back.
Have never seen Downton but adored both Morse and Lewis. As a teenager I actually had a poster of John Thaw on my wall (I was a slightly odd adolescent) and bawled my eyes out when both the character then the man died. Sheila Hancock’s book about their life together was a fascinating insight.
Thanks, Bianca. A good choice of pin-up. John, as a young man, rented a flat above my mother-in-law’s workplace. She thought him very nice, if shy.
You folks over there in the Old Blighty sure do know how to produce good TV stuff! I’m disappointed to hear the last season of Downton Abbey is a fizzer, so I shan’t be sad if I miss it when it bobs up on the shores of Australia.
Thanks, Yvonne. It wasn’t all bad. It’s just some things got tied up a bit too neatly, and others left a bit in the air. Inevitable, I suppose
I really liked Downtown Abbey, including the last regular episode. I never saw much of Lewis but I loved Morse and have been watching Endeavour.
Thank you, Alex
I loved the few Morse episodes I saw. I couldn’t interest hubby so that is why I say few.
Thank you Luanne. It is difficult when you don’t like watching the same things.
That is so true!
Good show, sad to see it go.
Thank you, Mary
Just thought this might of interest to you, Derrick…
https://www.warhistoryonline.com/war-articles/recognition-bomb-disposal-squads.html?utm_source=getresponse&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=daily&utm_source=getresponse&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=warhistoryonline&utm_content=%5BWar+History+Online%5D+Your+Daily+Dose
Many thanks, GP. It was. Unexploded WWII bombs are still occasionally found by excavating builders.
I would hate to come across one!