“Inspector Lewis” Series Ending
Oline H. Cogdill


inspectorlewis pbs
If you need a visual explanation on why the old-fashioned British mystery not only endures but thrives, just watch the ninth and final season of Inspector Lewis, now on PBS.

Inspector Lewis has become as beloved a series as was the original Morse, of which it is a spin-off.

For those who don’t know—or have forgotten—here’s a quick history.

Inspector Robert “Robbie” Lewis started his career as a sidekick, of sorts, to his boss, Endeavour Morse, who was so winningly portrayed by John Thaw. When the Morse series ended, Kevin Whately reprised his role as Lewis, who, as these things go, was promoted from Detective Sergeant to Inspector.

In 2012, viewers saw how Morse became the detective he was with the two-hour film Endeavour. The young Morse was portrayed by Shaun Evans. Set in 1965, the young detective was about to resign when he became involved in the case of a missing student. The fourth season of Endeavour is planned for 2017.

Meanwhile, we can enjoy the last of Inspector Lewis.

Inspector Lewis started with a solid fan base that has grown, and deepened, through the years.

Based on the novels by British author Colin Dexter, Inspector Lewis employs the same rich setting—Oxford, England—and a perceptive look at its sometimes complex society. Lewis’ compassion and frustration with murderers were a bonus that viewers relished.

In Inspector Lewis, the former assistant became the boss with his own sidekick, Detective Sgt. James Hathaway (Laurence Fox). But this final season finds Lewis himself on the way out.

The Oxford detective is now looking at involuntary retirement—a plan by a chief superintendent trying to cut costs. But Lewis will not spend his remaining time on the job sitting at a desk and doing nothing. He’s as keen, and even as insistent, as ever to solve murders.

As Lewis looks at the end of his career, Hathaway deals with the fact that his estranged father is dying.

The partnership of Lewis and Hathaway has been as intriguing as that of Morse and Lewis.

The intellectual snob Morse’s personality was balanced by Lewis’ working-class roots. Inspector Lewis finds the calm Lewis showing the sometimes hotheaded Hathaway a different way of looking at criminals.

As a bit of trivia, both Morse and Inspector Lewis ended after 33 episodes each. It’s now time for Hathaway to continue the circle for the legion of viewers who are fascinated by the British detectives.

Meanwhile, the Inspector Lewis  and Endeavour series are available on Acorn. Alas, the Morse series is no longer on Acorn.

Inspector Lewis airs at 9 p.m. Sundays on PBS with encore showings. Check your local listings as airings may differ.

Photo: Laurence Fox, left, and Kevin Whately on Inspector Lewis. Photo courtesy PBS

Oline Cogdill
2016-08-10 03:15:00