Endeavour is the prequel to the famous long running UK cop show Morse. It introduces the early police career of the iconic, quirky, old Jaguar driving Oxford detective Endeavour Morse. Stepping into such august shoes as John Thaw is not easy but Endeavour literally knocks it out of the park across so many aspects of the TV drama.
First is casting Shawn Evans as the young Morse. He encapsulates the brooding, pensive, deep thinking academic approach to crime solving that becomes Morse's hallmark. Not only are the famous Colleges of Oxford with their medieval buildings, immaculate greens, urbane Dons and all the culture surrounding one of the world's most prestigious universities again front and centre but now it is seen through the lens of 1960's Britain. The attention to detail with the costuming, props, culture as well as historical events is so accurate you really think you've gone back in time.
Endeavour really shines with its contrasting supporting cast who magnificently blend with the young Morse. Endeavour's Latin and Shakespeare classical education melds and offsets with Detective Inspector Fred Thursday (Roger Allam), a cockney old school copper and ex Army vet transplanted from the rough and tumble of London's East End to the leafy lanes and common rooms of the academic town. Thursday combines Greatest Generation old world values with acerbic cockney slang and take-no-prisoners working class policing techniques that are yin and yan to Morse's standoffish, erudite, thoughtful and respectful manner. Add in the upper class posh Chief Superintendent Bright (Anton Lessor) who brings eloquent steadiness and impeccable old school Oxford connections to the mix and then combine in the working class Bobby-from- the-beat made good DS Jim Strange (Sean Rigby), whose thoroughness in his work and kindly loyalty to his complex and aloof fellow detective, completes the formidable team at the Cowley 'nick' as English police stations are colloquially called.
The secret sauce is the chemistry between Morse and Thursday. The two men form an unbreakable bond of understated respect and admiration - each aware of the others strengths and how their colleague enhances their weakness. When you add in the stunning story lines that build plots and characters meticulously and pace the crime solving perfectly, the signature classical music introductions, the interplay of the main characters from such disparate worlds and prior lives leaves you always glued to your screen.
The UK churns out a huge variety of fabulous quality cop dramas but Endeavour stands at the very top of a large and appealing genre.
First is casting Shawn Evans as the young Morse. He encapsulates the brooding, pensive, deep thinking academic approach to crime solving that becomes Morse's hallmark. Not only are the famous Colleges of Oxford with their medieval buildings, immaculate greens, urbane Dons and all the culture surrounding one of the world's most prestigious universities again front and centre but now it is seen through the lens of 1960's Britain. The attention to detail with the costuming, props, culture as well as historical events is so accurate you really think you've gone back in time.
Endeavour really shines with its contrasting supporting cast who magnificently blend with the young Morse. Endeavour's Latin and Shakespeare classical education melds and offsets with Detective Inspector Fred Thursday (Roger Allam), a cockney old school copper and ex Army vet transplanted from the rough and tumble of London's East End to the leafy lanes and common rooms of the academic town. Thursday combines Greatest Generation old world values with acerbic cockney slang and take-no-prisoners working class policing techniques that are yin and yan to Morse's standoffish, erudite, thoughtful and respectful manner. Add in the upper class posh Chief Superintendent Bright (Anton Lessor) who brings eloquent steadiness and impeccable old school Oxford connections to the mix and then combine in the working class Bobby-from- the-beat made good DS Jim Strange (Sean Rigby), whose thoroughness in his work and kindly loyalty to his complex and aloof fellow detective, completes the formidable team at the Cowley 'nick' as English police stations are colloquially called.
The secret sauce is the chemistry between Morse and Thursday. The two men form an unbreakable bond of understated respect and admiration - each aware of the others strengths and how their colleague enhances their weakness. When you add in the stunning story lines that build plots and characters meticulously and pace the crime solving perfectly, the signature classical music introductions, the interplay of the main characters from such disparate worlds and prior lives leaves you always glued to your screen.
The UK churns out a huge variety of fabulous quality cop dramas but Endeavour stands at the very top of a large and appealing genre.
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