Inspector Morse - The Daughters of Cain | James Grout, John Thaw

Inspector Morse - The Daughters of Cain | James Grout, John Thaw | Daughters of Cain

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Inspector Morse - ...

	Inspector Morse - The Daughters of Cain James Grout, John Thaw Bfs Entertainment, 2003 average customer review:based on 8 reviews view larger image
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highly recommended

justice frustrated

This entry in the series focuses on the conspiratorial efforts of three women to exact vengeance upon Ted Brooks, a thoroughly repulsive character who is a murderer, drug dealer, and abusive husband. The mystery opens with the murder of a popular academic who was particularly adroit at fundraising for the colleges. In fact, university fundraising is repeatedly satirized in this episode, as one aspect of this drama involves the tendency of college officials to conveniently abandon higher principles (such as an obligation to report suspected criminal activity) if it might discourage potential financial donors. In any event, the professor's murder acted to cement an alliance among the three women, an alliance undertaken for the purpose of ensuring that Ted Brooks paid for his transgressions. The organizer of the conspiracy is a terminally ill teacher, who realizing she has very little to lose, resorts to various measures (including seduction of a teenage student) to accomplish the trio's objectives. Predictably, Ted Brooks is murdered during the course of the episode; however, the viewer is presented with several possible combinations of suspects before the crime is solved. This episode includes numerous details (student suicide, an allegedly stolen bicycle, and an apparent museum theft) which add interest to this mystery and facilitate plot development. The teacher who organized the conspiracy was described as "clever." Just how clever she was is illustrated by the manner in which this drama ends-- with two of the three conspirators escaping justice. Despite (or perhaps because of) the unusual ending, this entry in the Morse series is very entertaining and satisfying.

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Daughters of Cain

Great one, that I don't remember having seen before. They just don't make them like that anymore!

Vigilante Justice

The meaning of the titles of the 33 episodes is usually not obvious as to their relationship to the story - with this episode the title is an excellent choice. Cain was a murderer, and it follows, if he had off spring, they could very well be murderers too; an author's literary privilege. The three "daughters" are Brenda Brooks, her daughter, Kay, and Julia Stevens; all three are heavily involved in the plot. Morse must sort through many tangents: suicide, drugs, spousal abuse, on call ladies, a terminally ill character and the tangled world of university fund raising versus morals and academics. Back at headquarters Superintendent Strange has his hands full with a massive budget cut which affects Lewis' pending promotion. Strange assures Lewis how valuable he is - which is small solace for Lewis. The tale involves many participants and is quite involved but results in a first class mystery. This is a five star addition to the series. At # 30, chronologically, its rating is on a level with most of the later episodes. Listen for strains of the prelude from the first act of La Traviata which seem to run as thematic material when Julia Stevens is present.

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Charming. Intricate. Brain-Teasing. Fun.

Our loveable curmudgeon, Inspector Morse, finds himself outsmarted in this intricate, twisting story of love, intrigue, and revenge. An abused housewife, a stunningly beautiful step-daughter, and a smart friend with a terminal brain tumor combine wits to give Morse and Lewis a run for their money.

The backdrop of the story is Oxford, England and Oxford University, in particular. But the ivy covered halls of academia are home to murder. Ted Brooks, the bad-tempered, abusive lout was sacked by the University amid hushed-up scandal involving drugs and a student suicide. Now he is bitter and vile tempered, beating his mousy wife.

In one of the more alluring side stories, Kay Brooks, the winsome step-daughter charms Inspector Morse and he finds himself captivated by her dalliances. She is the most beguiling young lady and expert in her line of work.

Poor Sergeant Lewis is aching for a promotion but the budget-conscious bureaucracy has tightened up and there is little encouragement for him. In fact, in this episode, he faces a dilemma of honor versus pragmatism.

A wonderful mystery and delightful show.

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More than just a who-done-it

The highlight of this episode is Phyllis Logan. She does a good job of being an ordinary person. You never "see" Lady Felsham in her character. One amusing part of the story is the ceaseless lampooning of academia using the theme of fund raising at Oxford. The basic detective story involves multiple murders and the ways the murderers use to escape justice or receive it themselves by what could be judged as divine guidance of the affairs of mortals.

reviews: page 1, 2

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