This is so nicely orchestrated. We have the murder of a man who is deaf and very ill. At a party at the outset, he overhears (actually reads the lips) of a couple men who are plotting. When it comes out that he knows something, he is quickly dispatched. But who is the murderer? This begins a merry-go-round of suspects. These people are almost all up to something. It could be a strained marriage. It could be an obsessive compulsive disorder. It could be simple loyalty. What it is is a series of clues that send Morse and Lewis down one alley and up another. What makes things even harder is that while the murder is the principle case, there are other factors dealing with security. Very nicely done.
Inspector Morse (TV Series)
The Silent World of Nicholas Quinn (1987)
User Reviews
Review this title7 Reviews
Excellent drama
jamiecostelo5828 November 2006
Warning: Spoilers
Only the second ever episode of Inspector Morse, and already it proves to be unmissable drama. This episode focuses on Nicholas Quinn, a hard-of-hearing man who is a member of the Oxford examinations board, and is later found dead at home.
In come Morse and Lewis, and a never-ending game of cat and mouse ensues as they both try to home in on the killer. The chemistry between John Thaw and Kevin Whately is simply terrific, and there are watchable performances from the likes of Roger Lloyd Pack, Michael Gough and Clive Swift (Keeping Up Appearances).
However, Morse also finds time to become attracted to Monica Height (played by Barbara Flynn), but, as what was to become the norm in the Inspector Morse series, the relationship fails to materialise into something more. But you do hear Morse's love for classical music though! The Silent World of Nicholas Quinn is a story which draws the viewer in and keeps them hooked to the end, especially as Morse makes an almost fatal mistake in his quest to find the murderer, and leads to the wrong person being jailed. Who is it? The simple thing to do is watch and find out!
In come Morse and Lewis, and a never-ending game of cat and mouse ensues as they both try to home in on the killer. The chemistry between John Thaw and Kevin Whately is simply terrific, and there are watchable performances from the likes of Roger Lloyd Pack, Michael Gough and Clive Swift (Keeping Up Appearances).
However, Morse also finds time to become attracted to Monica Height (played by Barbara Flynn), but, as what was to become the norm in the Inspector Morse series, the relationship fails to materialise into something more. But you do hear Morse's love for classical music though! The Silent World of Nicholas Quinn is a story which draws the viewer in and keeps them hooked to the end, especially as Morse makes an almost fatal mistake in his quest to find the murderer, and leads to the wrong person being jailed. Who is it? The simple thing to do is watch and find out!
A great little mystery
Prichards123459 February 2020
Warning: Spoilers
Inspector Morse really hits its stride with this 2nd episode and Colin Dexter's creation finds himself investigating the murder of a deaf young academic. There's some nice casting here, with Michael Gough and Clive Swift shining in their roles, and a compelling mystery for Morse and Lewis to solve. Some fine humour, too as Morse discovers that Last Tango in Paris has been replaced on the local cinema by 101 Dalmatians! "I'll get the kids!", says Lewis enthusiatically, as Morse is left to head to the pub!
Enjoyable and highly entertaining; Morse is already developing here into a TV institution.
Enjoyable and highly entertaining; Morse is already developing here into a TV institution.
"No it isn't, Morse's law is that we have time for one more pint"
TheLittleSongbird1 July 2009
The Silent World Of Nicolas Quinn is a well crafted episode based on Colin Dexter's book. The episode concerns the death of a man working in a syndicate, the catch being that he is deaf. The episode is certainly intriguing, being fairly faithful to the book, while cutting some bits out, and has the advantage of a very good cast. The script is excellently written, I particularly loved Morse's "No it isn't, Morse's law is that we have time for one more pint" which is a mere contradiction to the principle we hear him utter at the beginning, "Morse's law is that whoever finds the body is the murderer", a principle that isn't strictly true, and perhaps an emphasis on the fact that Morse is a good inspector but a poor policeman. John Thaw is more than excellent as Morse, especially when he is being attacked by Roger Lloyd Pack, and when Lewis comes to the rescue, it feels ironic that Morse is less than gratifying towards the young sergeant. Kevin Whately is as charming as ever as Lewis, and the likes of Clive Swift, Barbara Flynn, Michael Gough and Anthony Smee offer their talents. All in all, a very intriguing episode. 10/10 Bethany Cox.
The Second Episode
David-10-28719414 May 2014
Warning: Spoilers
"Contains Spoiler"
The earlier episodes, especially those based on Colin Dexter's novels, are usually the better ones of the franchise. I don't know if this rates as a goof, but at one point Morse & Lewis enter Morse's flat. He says to his Sergeant, "You know where the drinks are, pour us a couple of sherries." This suggests that Lewis has been there before. But a few seconds later, Lewis says, "Nice place this." which suggests that he hasn't. It was pleasing to watch this episode, which I had virtually forgotten about, if just to see the late Roger Lloyd Pack in a rare dramatic role
The earlier episodes, especially those based on Colin Dexter's novels, are usually the better ones of the franchise. I don't know if this rates as a goof, but at one point Morse & Lewis enter Morse's flat. He says to his Sergeant, "You know where the drinks are, pour us a couple of sherries." This suggests that Lewis has been there before. But a few seconds later, Lewis says, "Nice place this." which suggests that he hasn't. It was pleasing to watch this episode, which I had virtually forgotten about, if just to see the late Roger Lloyd Pack in a rare dramatic role
Good, but still hasn't hit its stride
grantss25 August 2022
The first episode of Morse was okay but not great. While intriguing, it felt a bit clumsy, never got into a rhythm, the revelation of the perpetrator was so low-key I was sure the episode had some time left to go and very little was explained in the end.
This, the second episode, is better but it still feels a bit rough and unfinished. There's red herrings and twists galore, with very little explained. It's intriguing and more coherent than Episode 1 but there's still room for improvement.
This, the second episode, is better but it still feels a bit rough and unfinished. There's red herrings and twists galore, with very little explained. It's intriguing and more coherent than Episode 1 but there's still room for improvement.
A slightly disappointing episode.
Sleepin_Dragon2 February 2016
Morse and Lewis are called in to investigate the murder of Nicholas Quinn, an examiner at Oxford University who's gone to his superiors with suspicions of wrong doings amongst his peers. Quinn is hard of hearing.
I've just finished reading the book, and noticed quite a few changes, Quinn gets more build up time in the book, and his character is given more layers.
Even before reading the book, I've always struggled with this episode, I find it the only flat entry, I'd go so far as to say I find it quite boring, even the production/filming is a little staid.
The best thing about the episode is the performance of Roger Lloyd Pack, very good as Donald Martin.
The weakest entry, it's not bad, it's just a little flat, 5/10
I've just finished reading the book, and noticed quite a few changes, Quinn gets more build up time in the book, and his character is given more layers.
Even before reading the book, I've always struggled with this episode, I find it the only flat entry, I'd go so far as to say I find it quite boring, even the production/filming is a little staid.
The best thing about the episode is the performance of Roger Lloyd Pack, very good as Donald Martin.
The weakest entry, it's not bad, it's just a little flat, 5/10
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