Inspector Lewis (WGBH/Mystery!)
Picture:
C+ Sound: C+ Extras: D Telefilm: B-
Spin-offs
are not easy and are also very tempting, though these days, they are being done
mindlessly and pointlessly. In some
cases, waiting too long can also be a problem, but Inspector Lewis (2005) is not too long after John Thaw’s time as
Inspector Morse (reviewed elsewhere on this site) was such a phenomenal
hit. Kevin Whatley is the title
character, a former assistant and friend of Morse who is back and already
poised to solve a strange murder case involving the sale of a sport car company
to the Japanese.
Still a
police procedural more than a mystery, it is not a bad debut telefilm and is
haunted by the Morse show and
character. Fans of Morse will love the Jaguar
moment. It has the clichés of the new
boss who wants to marginalize Lewis, the potential new partner and the “coming
home” syndrome too many shows have suffered since the 1980s as if they were
undoing progress. Hopefully, any
follow-ups will not be leaning towards that kind of awfulness. They should stick to the better elements that
made this story work, with interesting characters and situations.
The
letterboxed 1.78 X 1/16 X 9 image is not bad, but has some micro-detail issues
from the digital transfer. Too bad this
was to anamorphically enhanced, since what looks like HD shooting is not
bad. The Dolby Digital 2.0 Stereo has no
major surrounds, but is clearly mixed and recorded. There are no extras.
- Nicholas Sheffo
