The Dead of Jericho
- Episode aired Jan 6, 1987
- TV-14
- 1h 44m
Anne Stavely, a friend of Morse's, ostensibly commits suicide at her home in Jericho, though Morse isn't convinced this is what happened.Anne Stavely, a friend of Morse's, ostensibly commits suicide at her home in Jericho, though Morse isn't convinced this is what happened.Anne Stavely, a friend of Morse's, ostensibly commits suicide at her home in Jericho, though Morse isn't convinced this is what happened.
- Director
- Writers
- All cast & crew
- Production, box office & more at IMDbPro
Storyline
Did you know
- TriviaColin Dexter: Author of the Inspector Morse book series appears when Morse visits the rooms of Ned Murdoch at College. Morse walks past Colin Dexter walking the opposite direction, and after they pass each other, Morse turns around and looks back at Dexter as he is walking away.
- GoofsIn the 2000s, ITV created new end-credit sequences for repeat showings of many of their successful programmes of previous years, including Inspector Morse (1987). In the new credits at the end of The Dead of Jericho, they have erroneously credited James Laurenson with the part of Colin, in addition to the Richards brother whom he did actually play.
- Quotes
Chief Superintendent Strange: Well, I've got some good and bad news for you Morse. We're not going to give you the Super's job.
Chief Inspector Morse: Right.
Chief Superintendent Strange: You're a clever sod, but you don't say the right things to the right people. You never will. It doesn't bother me, but it doesn't do you any good.
[pauses]
Chief Superintendent Strange: You didn't want it anyway, did you?
Chief Superintendent Strange: I mean the point is, you're unorthodox. Look at you. It's not exactly... well, anyway, fine. I like that. It doesn't bother me.
Chief Inspector Morse: Was that the good or the bad news?
Chief Superintendent Strange: We're giving Bell the job. He's not exactly a brain merchant, but he does... well, you know, I don't have to tell you. He's, erm, he... he fills in the forms, he always says the right thing.
- ConnectionsEdited into Inspector Morse: Rest in Peace (2000)
This starter episode introduced the viewer to staples for the show, the Oxford settings, Morse's cussedness and tastes for drink, classical music and red Jaguar cars, an eye for the mature lady, a trickle-down relationship with his dogged, home-loving, long-suffering Sgt Lewis sidekick and most of all an individual and intuitive method to crime-solving which frequently put him at odds with his superiors.
This episode concerning the suicide of a piano teacher Morse has just met at choir practice leads to another murder and overtones of voyeurism, blackmail, adultery and even incest before Morse has his customary Eureka moment and solves the crime just in time. The plot was suitably serpentine in construction although the apparent Sophoclean-attributed conclusion was possibly mistakenly dispensed with for a good old-fashioned case of mistaken identity to eventually catch the killer.
Sure both the direction and police procedures portrayed are dated (Morse barging in on the original death site, searching a suspect's premises without a warrant, roughing up a suspect like he was in the Sweeney, drinking on duty) but Thaw and Whately already demonstrate their chemistry in this introductory episode. The series in time became a TV national treasure, setting the standard for other shows which followed in its wake. Better episodes were to follow but a strong marker in terms of production standards, narrative quality and acting levels was definitely put down here for further investigation.
- Lejink
- Oct 19, 2018
Details
- Release date
- Country of origin
- Official site
- Language
- Filming locations
- Production companies
- See more company credits at IMDbPro