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Amazon.co.uk Review
It’s taken a long time for Kevin Whately to take centre stage in a detective drama, but Lewis proves it’s been time well spent. Lewis, of course, was previously the sidekick to Inspector Morse, and that raised fair suspicions that this spin-off drama was a fairly unnecessary cash-in of sorts. But those suspicions have proven unfounded, and Lewis has emerged as one of the best new programmes to hit ITV in recent years.
The format’s not moved on a great deal since the heights of Inspector Morse, but in this case, that’s no bad thing. The episodes in this set on the whole build slowly, and build up intelligently and with diligence. Occasionally there are moments where the pace slips a little too much, but that’s more than overcome by the fact that the drama on offer here is so absorbing.
It’s all anchored, of course, by Whately’s excellent portrayal of the lead character. Eminently watchable, and clearly wearing the clothes of a character that he knows completely, it’s a smashing performance, and with the aid of an excellent supporting cast, Lewis develops into a real treat. Is it better than Morse? Well, that’s far too early too call. But on this basis of this debut, Lewis certainly has the potential for as enduring a legacy. --Jon Foster
Synopsis
Kevin Whately stars as Oxford Police's Inspector Lewis in this spin-off of the hugely popular series Inspector Morse. Set five years after Morse's death, Lewis has returned from working in the British Virgin Isles to Oxford. The Lewis Series 1 DVD features both the first series of Lewis and its pilot episode.
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
107 of 109 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD
I write this review as a former resident of Oxford, but more importantly as a total devotee of Morse.
I was keen to see just how this new "spin off" (I hate that term!) of the Morse series would bear up to its predecessor. I was surprised then when all my feelings of cynicism dissapeared immediately after the first episode. I had suspected that ITV would attempt to cash in on the Morse franchise without attempting to give new life to that great legacy. But i was totally wrong. Obviously, avid fans of Morse will see the sometimes obviously deliberate attempts to give credibility to Lewis's new role with the occaisional and slightly contrived references by some of the plot character's references to past dealings with an inspector called "Morse", but these are nothing but affectionate references to Lewis's heritage when all is said and done.
the total reversal of the original formula, with a still solid and conciencious Lewis as the now Detective Inspector and his brilliantly created Detective Sargeant character "Hathaway", the scholarly academic, is absolutely brilliant.
I love it, the classic formula remains, despite a the sad loss of one of the most gifted actors that Television drama has created in this country to date.
The beautiful backdrop of University views remain, the academic setting with its back stabbing politics, the steadfast sometimes confused detective duo and the new musical score seems to just grow on you.
In summary, ITV seem to have made a genuine attempt to breathe an original new life into a well proven formula, rather than attempting to cash in on a "logo".
The only reason i have not given Lewis 5 stars is because pure sentimentality will not allow me to even slightly degrade the memory of "Morse".
A brilliant buy and well worth the money, to even the most diehard Morse fan. I hope to see another series.
I was keen to see just how this new "spin off" (I hate that term!) of the Morse series would bear up to its predecessor. I was surprised then when all my feelings of cynicism dissapeared immediately after the first episode. I had suspected that ITV would attempt to cash in on the Morse franchise without attempting to give new life to that great legacy. But i was totally wrong. Obviously, avid fans of Morse will see the sometimes obviously deliberate attempts to give credibility to Lewis's new role with the occaisional and slightly contrived references by some of the plot character's references to past dealings with an inspector called "Morse", but these are nothing but affectionate references to Lewis's heritage when all is said and done.
the total reversal of the original formula, with a still solid and conciencious Lewis as the now Detective Inspector and his brilliantly created Detective Sargeant character "Hathaway", the scholarly academic, is absolutely brilliant.
I love it, the classic formula remains, despite a the sad loss of one of the most gifted actors that Television drama has created in this country to date.
The beautiful backdrop of University views remain, the academic setting with its back stabbing politics, the steadfast sometimes confused detective duo and the new musical score seems to just grow on you.
In summary, ITV seem to have made a genuine attempt to breathe an original new life into a well proven formula, rather than attempting to cash in on a "logo".
The only reason i have not given Lewis 5 stars is because pure sentimentality will not allow me to even slightly degrade the memory of "Morse".
A brilliant buy and well worth the money, to even the most diehard Morse fan. I hope to see another series.
78 of 80 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD
Comparisions with the Morse TV Series are to be expected. However, for those of us that thought that Morse was the best thing since sliced bread (or real ale), the emergence of Kevin Whately as Lewis now promoted to Detective Inspector and back in Oxford following a temporary overseas posting, is the next, next best thing to sliced bread. The formula and format is reassuringly familiar, same high quality script writing (including Daniel Boyle and Alan Plater), direction, production and acting - and, the same great location with action taking in and around the academia and architecture of the Colleges collectively known as Oxford University. Somethings are of course different, there is a new female Detective Superintendent but Clare Holman reappears in the Dr Hobson (Pathologist) role. Lewis is older and wiser though perhaps feeling more like a square peg in a round hole given the way in now which the Thames Valley is now policed. There has been an excellent piece of casting with Lawrence Fox as DS Hathaway who assumes the academic niche vacated from the original partnership by Morse's character, although in this case, Hathaway is a graduate of Cambridge - how will he survive in Oxford? Morse fans should love this new series if they take it for what it is i.e. Lewis
38 of 40 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD
Inspector Robbie Lewis arrives at the Oxford Police Department to a whole new regime when he returns to Oxford after three years in the Caribbean. He has been trying to come to grips with the death of his mentor, Inspector Endeavor Morse (whose series, including specials, ran from 1987 - 2000), and of his wife Valerie, in a London hit-and-run accident. The Chief Superintendent is now Jean Innocent, an abrupt woman who immediately assigns Lewis to a senior training post, though he wants to get back into action. Reluctantly, she allows him to manage a new murder case, but only for three days.
A young math student has been shot in the head at close range while at an Oxford sleep lab to which only a few people have access. The suspect is Danny Griffon, a disturbed but brilliant fellow-student, and the heir to a sports car company which the Japanese are in the process of buying. Lewis (Kevin Whately) and his partner, James Hathaway (Laurence Fox), a former seminarian, investigate this death and several others which occur within the next few days.
Those who loved the Inspector Morse series and who mourned not only the death of Morse, in the final episode, but also of actor John Thaw, in 2002, will be delighted by this spin-off, which gives Morse's sidekick his own series. Actor Kevin Whately continues his self-effacing role, but he also conveys a sense of competence, and his relationship with Hathaway reminds one of Morse as Lewis's mentor. Whately has obviously aged in the seven years since the end of the Morse series, and this serves him in good stead here, providing a sense of gravitas.
The wonderfully intricate plot to this pilot show, as good as the best of the Morse series, keeps the viewer totally involved, and the occasional references to Morse, including a poignant visual reminder via a crossword puzzle which retains the outline of his coffee cup, add to the sense of continuity. The photography is outstanding, though not as dramatic here as it was in the Morse series, and Barrington Pheloung, who did the brilliant music for the Morse series, returns for this series. In England, this pilot was followed by three more episodes in February and March, 2007, and one can only hope these will be made available soon to those of us in the US who long for more of the clever mysteries and wonderful characters we enjoyed with the Morse series. Mary Whipple
A young math student has been shot in the head at close range while at an Oxford sleep lab to which only a few people have access. The suspect is Danny Griffon, a disturbed but brilliant fellow-student, and the heir to a sports car company which the Japanese are in the process of buying. Lewis (Kevin Whately) and his partner, James Hathaway (Laurence Fox), a former seminarian, investigate this death and several others which occur within the next few days.
Those who loved the Inspector Morse series and who mourned not only the death of Morse, in the final episode, but also of actor John Thaw, in 2002, will be delighted by this spin-off, which gives Morse's sidekick his own series. Actor Kevin Whately continues his self-effacing role, but he also conveys a sense of competence, and his relationship with Hathaway reminds one of Morse as Lewis's mentor. Whately has obviously aged in the seven years since the end of the Morse series, and this serves him in good stead here, providing a sense of gravitas.
The wonderfully intricate plot to this pilot show, as good as the best of the Morse series, keeps the viewer totally involved, and the occasional references to Morse, including a poignant visual reminder via a crossword puzzle which retains the outline of his coffee cup, add to the sense of continuity. The photography is outstanding, though not as dramatic here as it was in the Morse series, and Barrington Pheloung, who did the brilliant music for the Morse series, returns for this series. In England, this pilot was followed by three more episodes in February and March, 2007, and one can only hope these will be made available soon to those of us in the US who long for more of the clever mysteries and wonderful characters we enjoyed with the Morse series. Mary Whipple
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
old but good
cannot go wrong with this if you want a stress free, lazy viewing, don't have to think afternoon with feet up eating a box of chocolates. Read more
Published 16 months ago by Rw Armstrong
Lewis, Series 1
Lewis, Series 1
After the death of Morse (and, sadly, of John Thaw) it was a brilliant idea from ITV to keep the series going centred on Morse's faithful sergeant,... Read more
After the death of Morse (and, sadly, of John Thaw) it was a brilliant idea from ITV to keep the series going centred on Morse's faithful sergeant,... Read more
Published 18 months ago by Dr. H. A. Jones
A new era begins
I didn't watch all the "Inspector Morse" series but those that I did watch I enjoyed. I always enjoyed Lewis as the rather "put upon" sergeant compared to Morse's Oxford insider... Read more
Published on 26 May 2010 by R. M. Dutcher
Morse lives on !
I bought this and the next series as a gift for someone, but there's no denying it, John Thaw was Inspector Morse and Kevin Whateley his assistant Lewis, is now in charge and still... Read more
Published on 18 April 2010 by wranglerjeans
Review of Lewis DVD set
I have the complete series of Lewis, and have found them to be hours of great viewing, the production is of a good quility and I would recoment them to anyone interested in Crime... Read more
Published on 2 Feb 2010 by Dr Crippen
Lewis Returns
After years without Morse, Lewis returns, a widower, with his own Sergeant to aid him. Hathaway is just brilliant and Lewis's character evolves into the leader, bossed around by a... Read more
Published on 13 Dec 2009 by Mr. T. N. T. Heron
A spin-off worthy of Morse
In a time when the quality of tv series seem to be going inexorably downwards, Lewis helps to restore your faith that well-made programs are still being made. Read more
Published on 4 Aug 2009 by Blackhorse47
Quality TV
This programme ticks all the right boxes: characterisation, strong plots, production values, acting and the chalk and cheese relationship of its' two main characters, both of whom... Read more
Published on 7 Jun 2009 by M. L. Cruse
Lewis series 1
I enjoyed reminding myself of the first series having just enjoyed the third series on TV. However, where was the "behind the scenes" extra promised on the box? Read more
Published on 26 May 2009 by H. M. Chapman
Fantastic Murder Mysteries
Although not all spin-off series' work, this certainly will not disappoint. There are some fantastic mysteries, with exciting twists and turns. Read more
Published on 18 May 2009 by Ohhhhfohk
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