Masonic Mysteries is considered one of the best episodes of Inspector Morse. It is also one of my favorite - and least favorite - episodes. I liked it because overall the plot is quite clever and a nice change from the usual scenario. In this episode Morse is framed for murder by (an almost cartoon like) arch-enemy he put away many years ago, with his former boss McNutt (now a vicar).
I also quite hated this episode because of the really bad acting (perhaps deliberate overacting) from Inspector Bottomly (again, almost comical) and for the inconsistent plot holes, particularly 1) why on earth would Morse - a seasoned detective - pick up the suspected murder weapon (even if he subsequently claimed that he instinctively knew it wasn't) and pick up and hug the body of the murder victim (even if he knew her and was fond of her) and 2) It appears patently obvious that Morse is being framed yet his boss CS Strange (his friend who has known him for years) and Inspector Bottomly immediately suspect Morse even as the "evidence" becomes more far fetched (e.g. Morse's stuff being all over the victims flat - why would such a brilliant detective as Morse leave such evidence and yet deny ever being there? And did they even look for his prints?). And what possible motive could he have for killing his former boss and mentor (whom it is know he greatly admired) and then leave the body in the house with music blaring on a loop? An one stage they even consider briefly that Lewis is his accomplice in double murder. Unbelievable!
Were it not for these ridiculous plot holes this could have been genuinely a fantastic episode.
I also quite hated this episode because of the really bad acting (perhaps deliberate overacting) from Inspector Bottomly (again, almost comical) and for the inconsistent plot holes, particularly 1) why on earth would Morse - a seasoned detective - pick up the suspected murder weapon (even if he subsequently claimed that he instinctively knew it wasn't) and pick up and hug the body of the murder victim (even if he knew her and was fond of her) and 2) It appears patently obvious that Morse is being framed yet his boss CS Strange (his friend who has known him for years) and Inspector Bottomly immediately suspect Morse even as the "evidence" becomes more far fetched (e.g. Morse's stuff being all over the victims flat - why would such a brilliant detective as Morse leave such evidence and yet deny ever being there? And did they even look for his prints?). And what possible motive could he have for killing his former boss and mentor (whom it is know he greatly admired) and then leave the body in the house with music blaring on a loop? An one stage they even consider briefly that Lewis is his accomplice in double murder. Unbelievable!
Were it not for these ridiculous plot holes this could have been genuinely a fantastic episode.