Having recently been, and just finished being, on a roll reviewing all the episodes of 'Lewis', which generally was very enjoyable before having some disappointments later on, it occurred to me to do the same for 'Inspector Morse's' (one of my favourites for over a decade, and all the episodes were also reviewed in my first year on IMDb eight years ago) prequel series 'Endeavour'.
As said in my review for the entire show two years ago, 'Endeavour' is not just a more than worthy prequel series to one of my favourite detective dramas of all time and goes very well with it, but it is a great series on its own as well. It maintains everything that makes 'Inspector Morse' so good, while also containing enough to make it its own, and in my mind 'Inspector Morse', 'Lewis' and 'Endeavour' go perfectly well together.
Was very impressed by the pilot episode, even with a very understandable slight finding-its-feet feel (that is true of a lot of shows, exceptions like 'Morse' itself, 'A Touch of Frost' and 'Midsomer Murders', which started off great and were remarkably well established, are fairly few. The first season was even better, with all the episodes being outstanding. Season 2 took a darker turn, but once again all the episodes were great (even with "Trove" having one of 'Endeavour's' most far-fetched and over-complicated endings, great episode otherwise), with the weakest one "Sway" still being very good, "Neverland" especially was exceptional and a show high-point.
Season 3 is considered by fans as nowhere near as good as previously. Will admit that it is not as good as Seasons 1 and 2, which had more believable stories and didn't try to do too much but count me in as someone who has still enjoyed the episodes and has found a lot to like. "Prey" is no exception. It is not perfect, and it is easy to see why it is one of the more polarising 'Endeavour' episodes.
For my liking there were a few too many characters and plot twists, a few of which that could have been given more explanation, and it did make some of the story towards the end rather convoluted and silly. Love the character of Thursday and his development, but, even considering what happened to him at the end of "Neverland", his prickliness was rather uncharacteristic and not particularly professional.
However, as always, "Prey" is spot on in the production values. It is exquisitely filmed, with some extremely creepy low shots and how everything is lit which enhances the atmosphere hugely, and there is something very nostalgic and charming about the atmospherically evoked 1960s period detail. One does miss Barrington Pheloung, being a rare occurrence since scoring/writing music for 'Morse', 'Lewis' and 'Endeavour' where someone else is in charge of the music. Although very different, it was incredibly haunting, melancholic and beautifully scored music on its own and complemented, even enhanced, the action incredibly well.
Mostly did enjoy the writing. It is mostly every bit as intelligent, entertaining and tense as the previous episodes and as the best of 'Morse', with a great funny, if slightly dim-witted moment being Thursday's reply to Bright's "what a magnificent beast" remark.
Not everybody will be totally enamoured with the references. Personally did enjoy the 'Hound of the Baskervilles', 'Jaws', 'Jurassic Park' and 'Temple of Doom' references, which felt more like affectionate nostalgia than muddled clumsiness. Also liked the foreshadowing of what would come in the events in 'Morse' and 'Lewis', done as series before but set at least twenty years later. 'Morse' with Strange being promoted (which was anticipated, though PC and DS is quite a big jump so quickly, and yes the dynamic will change and already has), the character of Max, Morse's tetchiness that was a trademark in 'Morse', Whytham Woods and the hospital scene reminding one of "Deadly Slumber". 'Lewis' with being introduced to Hathaway's father and having elements of the episode "Dead of Winter".
Initially wasn't sure before watching "Prey" how the story would map out, with a kind of story more at home in 'Midsomer Murders', with a similar premise actually have had been done in that show with "Secrets and Spies" (personally don't care for that episode much). It was a relief that for all its faults how clever, incredibly suspenseful and fun it was with a tension-filled climax in a maze. Liked what was done with Strange, but character development-wise the revelation was Bright, a far more human, sympathetic and interesting character than before.
Morse and Thursday's father/son relationship, while even stronger later being more entertaining and heartfelt, has a lot of warmth, is so well written within the story and is a large part of the series' appeal. The pacing is restrained, but that allows the atmosphere to come through, and pretty much all the same it excels in that aspect. The characters are interesting, lead and supporting, with Morse displaying more recognisable character quirks with each episode and as aforementioned it is impossible not to love his relationship with Thursday.
Shaun Evans as ever does some powerful, charismatic work as younger Morse, showing enough loyalty to John Thaw's iconic Morse while making the character his own too. Roger Allam is also superb, his rapport with Evans always compels and entertains but Thursday is quite a sympathetic character, as well as loyal and firm, and Allam does a lot special with a role that could have been less interesting possibly in lesser hands. More than up to their level is Anton Lesser giving his best acting of the show up to this point and actually overall.
In summary, enjoyable episode from personal opinion but the polarisation is understandable, as it is not a perfect episode and could have been better in a way. 8/10 Bethany Cox
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