Lewis - Series 6 [DVD]

So here we are, series 6 of Morse spin-off Lewis. It stars Kevin Whatley and Laurence Fox as Lewis and Hathaway in four more fine mystery dramas. As usual the cast and production are pretty darned good, with four well paced convoluted mysteries that test our heroes to the limit and provide some six hours of adsorbing telly.

The pair leisurely stroll around Oxford, interviewing the usual bunch of well known British character actors while trying to get to the bottom of this week's convoluted mystery. True, the mysteries are becoming ever more contrived and, lets be honest, totally bonkers and at times incomprehensible, but it's so full of compelling charm that I can very easily forgive that. It's full of well known faces, beautiful shots of Oxford, suitably recondite enigmas and a gentle humour. Fox, Whatley, Claire Holman and Rebecca Front all have their roles down pat, and the interplay between the four, especially that between Lewis and Hathaway and Lewis and Hobbs gives the series a reliable backbone and some of its most memorable moments. In what looks like it might be a permanent addition, there is also a new DI in town, Peterson. Played by Jason Durr (who starred in my favourite ever Morse episode Deadly Slumber as a different character) he brings an interesting new dynamic to the series, especially the relationship between Hobbs and Lewis.

It's TV detective drama of the first order. Ideal for those who like gentle, atmospheric, mysteries with weird and wonderful plots. Series 6 comprises of:

The Soul of Genius
Generation of Vipers
Fearful Symmetry
The Indelible Stain

The four episodes are on two discs, two episodes per disc. They are in two standard DVD cases, collected into a thin card slipcase. Extras are limited to a 5.1 surround sound or a stereo sound track. The pictures are presented in then usual 16:9 aspect ratio, and look fantastic. 5 stars

I never thought I would actually see Morse surpassed, but I think Lewis is more intelligent, better acted, and more subtle. Kevin Whately is a superb actor; his range of expression and mood are excellently portrayed in his mobile and interesting face, and, since Lewis' character is less morose and grumpy than his erstwile mentor's, there is greater variety too. He has not replaced Morse with a look-alike - he is Morse grown up, approachable, with the same integrity but much more comfortable in his own skin.

His relationship with his sidekick, Hathaway, is played well by both actors, and the contrast between them clear but not laboured. Lawrence Fox is maturing as an actor, and the interplay between his character and Lewis' is clever, gentle, and watchable. Their differences are marked, but their essential shared morality and goodness shines out. As Hathaway learns more about himself, policing and life, he is getting a sense of humour, and understanding that his rough and ready Geordie boss knows far more about far more than he could have thought.

I love these shows. I am writing this after seeing the first two episodes in Lewis Series 6, and if the rest of the series is as good as these first two, buy this set! You certainly won't be disappointed.

Lewis - Series 6 [DVD]

It is hard to put your finger on just what makes Lewis work so well. However, a large part of its success must be down to the chemistry between Lewis, played by Kevin Whately and Hathaway (Laurence Fox). Hathaway acts as an excellent foil for Lewis in much the same way that Lewis himself previously did for Morse and the result is at least as effective. It is hard to remember now that this series was a spin off from Inspector Morse following the death of John Thaw and its pilot aired as recently as 2006. It feels like it has been around much longer than that and has almost become an institution.

This series follows the strong tradition set by the earlier series. We thought that Oxford seemed like a dangerous place to live as the body count mounted during the time of Inspector Morse. Lewis continues to add rather alarmingly to the death toll. As previously these episodes are quite varied. For example, this time round one episode concerns the strange death of a babysitter, whilst the final episode involves the mysterious death of a visiting lecturer which may have racial overtones. The two hour feature film length format gives the stories time to develop fully in an unhurried manner.

It is interesting that as this series has progressed, DS James Hathaway has become as significant a figure as Inspector Robbie Lewis and it is hard to imagine Lewis without him. It is very similar to the way Lewis became a central figure alongside Inspector Morse. It is an interesting statistic that the character of Lewis was introduced as long ago as 1986 so it is hardly surprising that we have grown rather used to him in the intervening 26 years! As always the rather regal buildings of Oxford provide an excellent backdrop for the series.

It is very pleasing that a seventh series has already been commissioned. The four episodes in Series 6 mean that we now have 24 in all so far and with Series 7 that will make 28. Inspector Morse only ran to 33 so it seems very likely that Lewis will exceed even that which will be quite an accolade.