tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-918467087072199038.post2066032207154486742..comments2024-02-20T09:57:16.692-05:00Comments on Longish: Endeavour Series 4 - Harvest - Episode ReviewHannah Longhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15529410255089707007noreply@blogger.comBlogger83125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-918467087072199038.post-69467681221491112502020-08-29T09:23:23.072-04:002020-08-29T09:23:23.072-04:00I'm a new viewer, and have never seen Inspecto...I'm a new viewer, and have never seen Inspectors Morse or Lewis. I was as surprised by Morse's sudden proposal as Joan was, and am wondering if Morse perceived that Joan had "provoked" Ray when she told him she was pregnant?sharonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08373027426802320587noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-918467087072199038.post-46735886928446838612020-07-12T16:49:45.929-04:002020-07-12T16:49:45.929-04:00It never occurred to me anyone but the married fel...It never occurred to me anyone but the married fellow who put Joan up in the apartment was the father of the baby. They made it crystal clear that they were were physically involved, where any similar liason with Morse or the bingo caller had to have been implied. You would have to assume that Joan at a young age was fairly sexually active, which doesn't seem authentic to her background. When Joan climbed the stairs as she left Morse's apartment she really looked pregnant, and it looked like Morse noticed that, but I might have imagined that, as he seemed surprised at the hospital.<br /><br />The actors in interviews say that Joan left because she felt guilty about her role in the bank robbery (letting the bingo caller pump her for information). But that is really not clear in what's on screen. It's quite muddled.<br /><br />Her response to Morse about whether she's going back to that guy is pretty ambivalent -- a half-hearted shrug. There's a time lapse between that night and when she's in hospital. I don't think she knows what she'll do. She needs Morse's money to get some breathing space to think about it. But my feeling is she fell deliberately or was pushed -- beaten -- when she went back to the apartment. In the following episode she says her neighbour called Morse, so that points to her being back at the apartment.<br /><br />When she makes that remark about what Thursday would think of her marrying Morse, Morse takes that as he wouldn't think him good enough. Part of Endeavour's attraction (at least as I can make its sudden onset make sense) is his attachment to the whole family and the comfort he gets from them. I think Endeavour sees that when she brings up her father.<br /><br />I'm really enjoying these reviews, late to the comments, I know, but I'm just watching them now. Hope you don't mind me jumping in. All the best.Melissanoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-918467087072199038.post-50870206925467932682019-07-18T02:26:50.632-04:002019-07-18T02:26:50.632-04:00Hi, Hannah, I’ve just discovered your blog and tho...Hi, Hannah, I’ve just discovered your blog and thoroughly enjoyed your review and everyone’s insights. I’ve recently rewatched this episode and would like to share my insights on Joan’s reasons for leaving. I think she felt responsible for the robbery and the eventual death of Ronnie because she didn’t see through the bingo caller’s attempts to gain information about the bank. Maybe she had already been thinking about leaving and this was, sadly, the push that made her finally decide to go. Also, the way her parents (or was it just Fred) thought that a good night’s sleep would make her feel better in the morning may have been a factor, too.Lisahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10421115512499409921noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-918467087072199038.post-3214543382719013362019-01-28T01:54:31.836-05:002019-01-28T01:54:31.836-05:00I thought the shopkeeper said "God has blesse...I thought the shopkeeper said "God has blessed thee".Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10579751028880134702noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-918467087072199038.post-24723208236556829542018-12-14T12:35:56.845-05:002018-12-14T12:35:56.845-05:00How did Morse get promoted without going to London...How did Morse get promoted without going to London and (presumably) not taking the sargeant's exam again?<br /><br />Did we ever see Morse explicitly turn down the London tip?Peterhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16128773122691367987noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-918467087072199038.post-27257955383838854752018-03-01T00:45:20.975-05:002018-03-01T00:45:20.975-05:00I liked your comment about how, Morse has grand, l...I liked your comment about how, Morse has grand, largely abstract romantic feelings for Joan, but not ones he necessarily wants to make concrete. That seems correct. I agree that the plot twist at the Nuclear Power Station's control center was definitely odd. For me that's right up there with how Morse and Bright charged into the maze in the tiger episode without a weapon. Mr. Georgehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05549519701686475998noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-918467087072199038.post-3486370815603442802018-01-30T13:08:47.434-05:002018-01-30T13:08:47.434-05:00Sweet, sweet Monica threw Morse a lifeline when he...Sweet, sweet Monica threw Morse a lifeline when he was at his lowest, and he grabbed it. Once he came back up for air I think he realized it was a mistake. Kind and gentle, nurturing Monica is not the person for high energy, hyper-intelligent, arrogant Morse. He does not need a mother (although of course, that is part of the problem. When he needed one he did not have one.) He needs someone who is not intimidated but intrigued, and relates to him from a position of confidence in herself. Joan. Of course he should have told Monica it wasn't working for him, and I believe he did. He was very straight-up about the cancelled date with her, so I cannot imagine he did not tell her when it was over. Much is unsaid in this story. Thursday assumes he did not tell her, and Morse does not correct him, but I cannot see him giving Thursday such details. <br />Of course my theory is that he has been in varying degrees of love with Joan since he first met her. It would be interesting if we find that he never married because of her. Like AE Housman, who never married - or ever had any love affair but the one, unrequited, love he had in his early 20's. <br />I have just finished watching Inspector Morse, and in my opinion he does not try all that hard with the ladies who cross his path. You do not sense a great reservoir of emotion and need just under the surface as you do with Endeavour. In my view, and it is admittedly superficial, all that is gone by the time we get to Inspector Morse. <br />Endeavour is filled with riveting, skillfuly drawn character studies. Inspector Morse is filled with moderately complicated crime plots, a lot of shouting and racing about, and annoying badgering of Lewis who appears to do most of the work. It distresses me to think that lovely Endeavour will turn into this. To account for it, I fear a great tragedy looms. Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-918467087072199038.post-47119923116575959852018-01-19T14:05:42.919-05:002018-01-19T14:05:42.919-05:00It's pretty clear that he's got feelings f...It's pretty clear that he's got feelings for her - he nearly said she meant the world to him in Coda - so we all know they're just waiting, unsaid. "Too choosey, too hesitant, too lazy, too busy," was Morse's later explanation for why he never married. I think this falls under hesitance. Hannah Longhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15529410255089707007noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-918467087072199038.post-25408547626353646812018-01-19T13:29:18.837-05:002018-01-19T13:29:18.837-05:00All of this doesn't take away the fact that an...All of this doesn't take away the fact that an audience is waiting with breathless exhalation for Morse to say it to her. Never mind the past. Never mind personalities. Never mind the circumstances. Morse says, "I love you, let's build a life together." Instead, he stands there.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08521632416731063983noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-918467087072199038.post-87775596245861677862018-01-19T12:37:04.720-05:002018-01-19T12:37:04.720-05:00Susan broke the engagement to marry Henry Fallon. ...Susan broke the engagement to marry Henry Fallon. Her mother approved, but it was still Susan's decision. One could either make the case that Susan jilting him made Morse hesitant to commit, or that she left him because she wasn't sure of his true commitment. It does seem apparent that at least young Endeavour commits somewhat recklessly and suddenly (as he did to Joan in this episode), but hasn't maintained a real long-term relationship (I'm still mad about Monica). Maybe that was why Susan left him. Hannah Longhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15529410255089707007noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-918467087072199038.post-13984936972450280392018-01-18T11:25:26.178-05:002018-01-18T11:25:26.178-05:00Very well put, and I generally agree, but I do won...Very well put, and I generally agree, but I do wonder....In Endeavour Morse is very young, and it will be years before all these influences solidify into the crusty, cynic of Inspector Morse. At Oxford did he not become engaged to Susan? Was that not a commitment? Broken up by Susan's mother apparently, leaving him heartbroken for 7 years. <br /> <br />I think he was taken by Joan from the moment they met, 'bowled over' as they say, but did not act because of Thursday and then basically put it out of his mind for a time. I think he has tried to tell her, the morning after the bank robbery (although I don't think it came to him in a sudden revelation, they were getting closer in each episode prior) and at Leamington, but it was too complicated for her at each of those points,...at the end of Harvest he finally blurts it out and again-- the timing-- she deflects. I think he is in awe of her (she is definitely on a pedestal) and fearful of making a wrong move, and of course he is not very experienced at this stage, and so sensitive. I wonder if Miss Frazil might provide him some guidance, after she has interviewed Joan about the bank robbery? I know in the end, of course, it won't work out with Joan; she will leave Oxford, or be killed in the 'storm' that is coming and that will seal his fate. I may have to stop watching if that happens. But for now, I think, he is young and I do have hope. <br /><br />Such fun!! Thanks. Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-918467087072199038.post-21499692915269053952018-01-11T22:55:26.945-05:002018-01-11T22:55:26.945-05:00Agreed, on Morse as a coward. He's not lacking...Agreed, on Morse as a coward. He's not lacking in physical courage.<br /><br />As for his indecision regarding Joan, I do think that's a character flaw. Perhaps because of his emotional issues regarding the early death of his mother, the emotional abuse from his stepmother, and his emotionally absent father, I think he has trouble knowing how to commit. He puts women up on a pedestal, and actually committing to a long-term relationship where those illusions are stripped away? I'm not sure he's able to do it.<br /><br />I loved Prey - but I see it as a love-it-hate-it episode, much like Masonic Mysteries for Morse. <br /><br />I think the ransacking of Morse's apartment will remain a loose end, there to remind us he has enemies, nothing more.Hannah Longhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15529410255089707007noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-918467087072199038.post-73313191934226603812018-01-10T16:44:25.370-05:002018-01-10T16:44:25.370-05:00I don't see Morse as a coward. At the bank he...I don't see Morse as a coward. At the bank he 1) saved his own life by cleverly telling Matthews someone set them up instead of quaking in fear and letting them kill him and 2) drew Cole Matthew's fire deliberately to save Joan and/or Thursday. He has his faults, but I don't see cowardice as one of them. I do agree that his indecision, or rather, his lack of forceful declaration to Joan is maddening, but I don't perceive it as lack of courage, more a lack of confidence in himself brought on by his rejection by Susan. <br /> I thought Prey was great fun. These shows have to be entertaining too. I thought Coda was fantastic - Fast paced, every scene important..great acting by the guest cast- Tom McKay as Cole Matthews was fantastic!<br />We need to know though, who ransacked Morse's apartment? It's driving me crazy. Was it Vic Kasper's minions or the Fletchers from London? It was definitely not neighborhood kids as stated by (lazy) Strange. Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-918467087072199038.post-20204241389876351652018-01-07T01:25:35.879-05:002018-01-07T01:25:35.879-05:00I'm still holding fast to my belief that the r...I'm still holding fast to my belief that the real and brilliant young Morse ended after Season 2. Between stupid episodes like "Prey" and the seeming cowardice he showed at the bank holdup, my image of Morse was a to-himself, absolutely ingenious solver of crimes on the order of Arkady Renko of the Gorky Park series of books. Also, I don't care what the writers wanted, his non-relationship with Joan is almost laughable, if she didn't lose the baby. I can see a married Morse staying true to the character. But his indecision became a hollering at the screen thing. Maybe season 5 might change it. But I'm not hopeful.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08521632416731063983noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-918467087072199038.post-19992631045975770062018-01-06T16:27:57.835-05:002018-01-06T16:27:57.835-05:00As an old, dumb ass Yank without a valid opinion, ...<br />As an old, dumb ass Yank without a valid opinion, I believe Marc's first two sentences, says it all. Though, I will continue to watch because the tripe they serve over here is rancid, I do enjoy the acting immensely. noah counthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09302417966033092039noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-918467087072199038.post-29230038723376189112017-11-30T14:16:03.834-05:002017-11-30T14:16:03.834-05:00There is an interesting exchange near the end of &...There is an interesting exchange near the end of "Harvest" where Thursday accuses young Chattox, the murderer, of objecting to Laxman because he (Chattox) feels Laxman was not worthy of Selina, that she deserved better, that she deserved him, Chattox. I haven't seen the episode for a while, but I believe Thursday says something to the effect that it is not his (Chattox) decision to make. Morse listens intently to this exchange and seems to understand something in that moment, perhaps about his feelings for Joan. I have been puzzling over what the next step will be for him with regard to Joan, and I think now that he will step back from Joan, understanding that his motivation in pursuing her has been similar to Seth's, but that it has to be her choice too. And she, who has spent five years sending him every possible signal that she wants him, will not do more. I had really hoped that the writers would let them be happy for a while. I do not believe that Inspector Morse would have been the vibrant,engaged man he was if his life had been one of unremitting loss and heartbreak. I think Joan does not want to be a policeman's wife, the waiting and the worry, the ruined anniversary parties and the long nights waiting for the hospital to call...that might be what drives them apart, since Morse won't give it up even for her, but I would like to see them have a little time of happiness. I note that Sara Vickers only appears in Episodes 1 and 6 in Season 5, so it seems it is not completely over, but fading away. Although the entire romance is only about 30 minutes of screen time, it has been so masterfully acted by Shaun Evans and Sara Vickers, that it has utterly captivated everyone I know. I cannot wait, although I guess I will have to, for Season 5. <br />I enjoy reading everyone's thoughts on this great blog. Thanks for letting me comment. Such a great program!! Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-918467087072199038.post-4143881149456521392017-11-06T12:30:57.204-05:002017-11-06T12:30:57.204-05:00Great review! Sorry for the lateness - I just watc...Great review! Sorry for the lateness - I just watched Harvest and am haunted by it. Among the things that have me puzzled is if Morse got burgled by kids in the neighborhood, how does he have a wad of cash to give to Joan? <br /><br />I think the Freemason cabal is involved and that they also arranged for the London job to get him out of town. <br /><br />Also, I think it's odd that Morse got his medal left on his new Sargent's desk (no office supplies or type writer, like on his desk) and that he didn't go to the medal ceremony with the Thursdays. Even though he doesn't like to play the "Game", it's the Queen, doesn't everyone want to meet the Queen? And he shows up in the Police Station in the same clothes as the hospital visit, so prior to the phone call from the hospital he wasn't getting ready for the ceremony since he didn't have on his tuxedo suit on (which we know he has).... Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-918467087072199038.post-66894846969044668342017-11-06T11:38:14.441-05:002017-11-06T11:38:14.441-05:00Sorry for the lateness - I just watched Harvest an...Sorry for the lateness - I just watched Harvest and am haunted by it. I agree with the Sept. comment - "Morse’s emotions and reaction tell us he thinks Joan harmed herself to lose the baby. His emotions are sadness and empathy."<br /><br />I think Morse was sitting in his flat thinking about Joan, his life, London, and the phone rings - Joan must of told them to call him before she fell asleep - Dr says he gave her something so she could sleep - <br /><br />He is shocked to learn she is pregnant, bemused that he is thought of as the husband, and then realizes that the romantic fantasy he had of Joan is not someone who would harm herself or the baby. <br /><br />I heard that children who had experienced trauma are stuck at that emotional age when it occurred until they deal with it, and Morse's mom died when he was 12, so a 12 yr boy would have a romantic fantasy of Joan and then not be able to face her when she doesn't meet the fantasy. <br /><br />Did you notice that Joan whispers "Dad" when Morse leaves? and Morse walks down the hall under two "way out" signs? <br /><br /><br /><br />Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-918467087072199038.post-73367674599720338482017-10-15T20:32:50.405-04:002017-10-15T20:32:50.405-04:00Sara Vickers will be back for series 5. She's ...Sara Vickers will be back for series 5. She's been spotted filming scenes.Hannah Longhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15529410255089707007noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-918467087072199038.post-4675744815190827282017-10-15T19:24:33.306-04:002017-10-15T19:24:33.306-04:00Oh by the way, I checked on Sara Vickers, and she ...Oh by the way, I checked on Sara Vickers, and she is scheduled to be filming Endeavour in 2018, so she will be back.Atlantaloveshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05847585472472300685noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-918467087072199038.post-45928256581494253412017-10-15T19:16:30.768-04:002017-10-15T19:16:30.768-04:00Loved your post and I agree with you, I think I lo...Loved your post and I agree with you, I think I love this series even more than the original Morse series as well, mainly because I have a horrible crush on the young Morse, he is so good looking, and you know what they say about still waters. You did a great post, and yes there should have been better closure with Monica, she was really good to him. He's just so shy and messed up, but we love him just the same. I don't know if Sara Vickers is coming back to the show, but I'll snoop around and see what I can find out for ya. And yes, you are quite correct, I remember the 60's quite well, and yes, that is exactly what gals tried to do if they got into "trouble", fall down some stairs, go horseback riding like Betty Draper on Mad Men? Another terrific but gone American series, believe it or not. Atlantaloveshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05847585472472300685noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-918467087072199038.post-81309756645785323872017-10-15T14:32:26.948-04:002017-10-15T14:32:26.948-04:00I guess I assumed that Bright had something to do ...I guess I assumed that Bright had something to do with both things happening -- he would have put it in his recommendations that they receive the medals, etc. I don't know. Leave his hair alone! It's lovely, he's lovely! :)Colleenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10555677225543413982noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-918467087072199038.post-76533238237527450052017-10-15T14:28:42.453-04:002017-10-15T14:28:42.453-04:00I'm in the US and rather than wait for the US ...I'm in the US and rather than wait for the US premiere on PBS in September, I saw them on Youtube. The production values weren't great and they had Spanish subtitles but...you know. When I saw the US version, I was horrified to see that PBS (?) did some editing on the originals. They don't show any part of the quiz night so we just see Strange and Morse walking down the street talking about the job in London. When Fred goes to see Joan, his unhappy conversation with her and her married man was sliced up with what was happening with the other detectives elsewhere. It took all the tension out of the scene. There were a couple of other differences as well. <br /><br />But, I did think the black eye was from the Leamington man, but I believe that Joan probably made herself fall to miscarry. As someone stated above, that's what girls did. Had Ray beat her to cause the miscarriage, I think that Joan would have more than a black eye. I'm not sure why Joan ran to Oxford except I guess she figured Morse might have an idea or two. So much of me wanted to have him tell her to come to London with him but that's like watching "Titanic" and expecting it to turn out differently.....<br /><br />Does anyone know whether Sara Vickers is expected to return for Season 5? Watching that heartbreaking scene in the hospital made me feel that this was the end of Joan for him...that whatever she does, she'll be out of his orbit. That's my head speaking, not my heart. Another almost equally heartbreaking scene is Morse putting his hand out to shake and Fred looking so bemused and puzzled. He knows something is changing and it killed me to see them together this season. Honestly, this is the one show where I'm really impatient to see the new season. I think this season has seen Shaun Evans really mature as Morse, as an actor and the character, and I so love the rest of the cast (although I will say it was disconcerting to watch "Game of Thrones" followed by "Endeavour" for the Sunday nights when they were together -- Anton Lesser is so himself in both. Love him. Obviously, I disagree heartily with the post above -- I find Shaun Evans' Morse much more interesting than John Thaw's....OK, let's just as least as interesting. I would have preferred a better closure for Monica. Morse is not insensitive and if they had conversations offstage, we should have been told. That is a very deep flaw in the writing.Colleenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10555677225543413982noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-918467087072199038.post-70357688196928201182017-09-24T12:14:50.238-04:002017-09-24T12:14:50.238-04:00This has nothing to do with timelines and four cor...This has nothing to do with timelines and four corners. It's about blown plots and how Lewis first can't put together plot points in Morse suddenly and inexplicably ditches Monica and then, is in a position twice to do something about Joan and does nothing to the point where viewers like me went screaming out of the room. Screw Morse in the future. This is about losing audience because young morse played by Shawn Evans is the most uninteresting character on the face of television. Screw the future, the future is now.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08521632416731063983noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-918467087072199038.post-20274094740196728852017-09-24T10:50:55.280-04:002017-09-24T10:50:55.280-04:00I don't think you can blame CD for anything ot...I don't think you can blame CD for anything other than a few cameos in this series, especially seeing how he's now dead. As for the rest of the writing: you have to remember the four corners of Morsean reality within which they have to work. Morse can't die, and we all know it. Likewise, every other character who MUST be alive 20 years hence. (Wouldn't it be fun, though, if Russell Lewis just kills him off some week and it turns out we've been watching some OTHER Oxford CID dude who happens to be named Morse? Final scene, 20 years later. Strange: "Didn't you use to work here?" John Thaw Lookalike: "Nope, haven't been in town since Uni days.") So they've got to create their conflicts, and resolutions, in a way that won't disrupt the timeline but also bring in the culture and conflict of the times. Granted, this season's plots have hit the low-hanging fruit for that- the rock band trope, the No Nukes storyline- but we'll see where Series 5, with more room to roam, takes Morse- whoever the hell he is.Rayhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07999541621680032978noreply@blogger.com