After Foyle is a guest at a friend's home at a dinner for an important American industrialist, a suicide victim and German agent both are discovered near the house.After Foyle is a guest at a friend's home at a dinner for an important American industrialist, a suicide victim and German agent both are discovered near the house.After Foyle is a guest at a friend's home at a dinner for an important American industrialist, a suicide victim and German agent both are discovered near the house.
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Did you know
- TriviaWhen Richard Hunter is in the pub reading the newspaper article about Howard Paige, another front page article describes the death on stage of an actress appearing in the Portsmouth Hippodrome. This incident actually occurred although it happened in 1936, not in 1940 as the newspaper indicates.
- GoofsA man handling one of the stolen coins asks, "Who's Edward I-V?" Someone who doesn't understand Roman numbers probably would not be able to read the archaic lettering on a coin minted no later than 1483 -- and Edward IV's coins read EDWARDUS REX with no number.
- Quotes
[Jamieson, a volunteer firefighter, has been caught stealing valuables from bombed-out houses]
Henry Jamieson: I haven't got anything to say to you.
DCS Christopher Foyle: Well, that doesn't surprise me. You know, I sometimes wonder why I do this job. And then I come across someone like you. I mean, we're living in such evil times, when the whole world seems to be sinking into some sort of mire. And as if Hitler wasn't enough, we got the likes of you, who capitalize on other people's misery, who hurt them, make things even worse for them when they're at their weakest. And it's with the likes of you that this... mire... begins. And it's some small consolation to know that I've helped to clean up just a little bit of it.
- ConnectionsFeatured in Jeremy Vine: Episode #2.189 (2019)
"Fifty Ships" is another wonderful 'Foyle's War' episode, with everything that is so good about the show very much in evidence. It couldn't be a more perfect way to start Season 2 and to me is among the best episodes of the series. Personally didn't have a problem with Henry Goodman's American accent, American accents are not easy to do for a Brit and Goodman does make a valiant effort and did quite well to my ears, better than a lot of Brits attempting American accents. Like with many 'Foyle's War' episodes, on re-watch there was much more appreciation had for how well established the character development, tone and themes are for so early on and things that didn't quite connect entirely at first made more sense on re-watches.
Have always admired the visual detail that went into 'Foyle's War' and how high quality the production values are, with beautiful costumes, the evocative way the characters are made up, the look of the houses and cars, pretty locations and authentic-looking scenery. The music is in keeping with the mood and doesn't overpower the drama while still making an impact.
Writing is intelligent, sophisticated and thought-provoking, establishing Foyle's personality with so much depth already and providing some tense and heart-tugging moments. Oh and there are a couple of juicy comeuppances here for the characters one appropriately hates by the end of the episode. The story is complicated, with a lot of strands that requires full attention, but clever and from start to finish intriguing. It paces itself deliberately but with so much going on it's never once dull and the twists and turns that slowly unfold keep coming until the typically surprising denouement.
One thing that wasn't picked up by me but now is and admired hugely is the tackling of what was seen as truths but some really misconceptions and seeing British during the war in a new light. This was a bold move and dealt with a lot of honesty and tact. The background information is so well researched and is every bit as interesting as the mystery itself. The character tensions were also handled very well and added a lot of intrigue. Sam's subplot is done in a way that makes it easy to root for her and Foyle and Howard Paige's chemistry has beautifully done tension.
Michael Kitchen is truly superb as Foyle, subtle, intensely determined, commanding and above all human. One of the most interesting television detectives there's ever been and Kitchen has rarely been better. Honeysuckle Weeks is charming and loyal, with some nice touches of subtle humour as ever, and Anthony Howell is wonderful, have really admired what the show does with his character.
The supporting cast are right on point. Amanda Root is a likable presence and Clive Merrison and Janine Duvitski were interesting to see together. Henry Goodman particularly enjoys himself as a purposefully obnoxious character.
Overall, another 'Foyle's War' winner. 10/10 Bethany Cox
- TheLittleSongbird
- Oct 31, 2017