tootsie

Looks like this is the end both of this season and of this forum for 2019. Thank you to all participants. I appreciated those who shared details of cut and missing scenes, the closing red letter message (try as I might, I could never see it,) memories of pertinent precursor Morse moments, and details of Endeavour scenes that slipped by too fast for me to absorb. Your insights and comments were always interesting, even when I didn't agree with them. Honestly, I don't see how a season could be any better than the one we just saw, but here's to a season 7 that soars even higher!

O, the same for me, SUGARBAKER (though I might quibble ever-so-slightly about the show improving on the books. Equal quality for the medium used, I'd say.) As a former choir director, I always loved the scenes with Morse singing in the choral group. The things that gave him satisfaction: music, word games, solving puzzles - all made sense to me. So I thought of him as a lover of beauty, a solitary, sentimental and sometimes curmudgeonly man, imperfect but not distinctively lonely or despairing. What I see again & again in the young Endeavour, however, that I don't recall seeing in Morse, is the man's remarkable courage. I'm happy to add that to the list of his finer qualities.

The concluding vignettes went by fast & I haven't rewatched yet, but I believe I saw the little girl who made it out safely from the building collapse sitting on a hospital bed next to her mother...who thus must also have survived. If so, that was a lovely touch. Talk about your happy endingS ~

Thank you, show, for every single moment of the final episode. Splendidly satisfying. "Deguello" was the bugle call ordered by Santa Ana at the Battle of the Alamo. A song of death. Fitting here but I must contemplate why I think so. The building collapse was breathtaking. Bright rescued in the nick of time was breathtaking. The shootout at the Quarry Corral was breathtaking. Win not leaving...Fred returning the money...the Box\Jago switch... Really, so many lovely moments. I especially appreciated how each of our heroes had his own tailored temptation to resist. And how Morse was the central lynch pin, relentless and courageous. Imo, a fine conclusion.

Well, I could really have this wrong (which would be pretty standard for me with only one viewing of the episode,) but didn't the killer send a poison pen card to unstable, violent man (forgot name) saying that his wife was sleeping with a Creswell brother in the hopes that the guy would go over the edge & do her killing for her? (And then because Creswell Jr & Sr switched horses at the hunt, the wrong Creswell got killed.) That way, she'd have her female blackmailer gone and also the father of her son (who now was a threat to her) gone, too. If that's wrong, I beg your pardon.

I admit I wandered aimlessly through the second episode. Way too many threads for my linear & non-mechanical brain (front half of 1 car attached to back half of another?? Did I hear that right?) At the end, whoever the hit & run driver was (kids' father?) & whoever hooked up with whom at the party just confused the heck out of me. But this episode actually made sense to me. I've learned it's the small, seemingly inconsequential scenes that really matter. Creswell Sr & Jr in their bright red coats trading horses at the hunt, for example, or Frazil telling Morse he ought to meet their advice columnist & him blowing the words off. Anyway, I think I followed it all. I literally held my breath when Box pushed the envelope of $$ across the table & so hoped Fred would hold out. Hate to think of his legacy being as a "bent copper." (would like to believe he's a mole but don't think he is.) Loved the scene with Bright & his wife (Would she say "I don't think I've been a good wife" because she has lung cancer? That doesn't ring true for me. Did part of that scene get cut?) Strange is really, really growing on me...much smarter than I ever gave him credit for, whether in Morse or early Endeavour. For me, his warning to Morse about not trusting those closest to him had the name Fred Thursday in it, though unspoken. All the mini-dramas playing out against the theme of "Happy Families" (the Creswells, the murderer's relationships & family, the murderous, unstable man at the start who believed the gossip & the card he received, Win & Fred, Bright & his wife, even Box's story about his father) was just great writing, imo. Sad to have only 4 episodes this season. Btw, I never knew Happy Families was a card game; Ann Cleeves' Vera Stanhope uses the phrase "playing happy families" often & now (finally) I get it.

Good point. I vaguely recall those earlier episodes & how disappointing it was to have Bright written as such a stereotypical martinet. (Now, however, I realize I probably missed scenes that would have softened his character because PBS cut them as unimportant to furthering the plot.…boy, the fact that they do that really bugs me! - But I digress.) Trewlove softened the Bright character for me & I began to like him. He was protective and respectful and eventually fond of her – maybe in a way today’s young women would find unacceptable, but never in a way I found creepy. Simply a man of his times: the tail end of the Victorian age, I'd guess. When his family and career back story were slowly revealed, I grew to appreciate him even more.

Thank you, TLJGator, for posting the whole pelican scene. Otherwise, having the head of traffic sharing the tv screen with a pelican was like some goofy insurance commercial and completely baffled me. There were no Max in the Garden scenes in the PBS MM version I saw Sunday night. Not a one. I'd remember because Max moved up the list of favored characters when in an earlier episode he made a comment about love and fishing both being about the " the one that got away." For some reason the phrase seemed awfully smart at the time. And so did Max.

So happy to have this show back and feeling quite protective of the regulars. Wanted to smack those two patronizing, bullying, rather stupid new detectives silly on several occasions. Loved having Max there early on and Strange, too, who seems to be the most committed to justice for Fancy. Great that Frazill had a scene of her own, as well. Bright is a true favorite. In my mind's eye, I handled his demeaning tv scene with the pelican by replacing the creature with a tiger. (still one of my all time favorite episodes despite its stretch to my imagination) Agree that the scene of Morse walking through the field toward the horse was splendid, in color and composition. In anticipation, too...Morse didn't know what was waiting for him but the audience certainly did. From the lines of his face to the tone of his voice, this young Endeavour is slowly fading into the Morse we know (and love - at least, I do) from the earlier series. The older Morse always walked a narrow line that pushed right up against an immature and annoying self-pity. Great, great acting and writing to see hints of this happening before my eyes in the younger Morse. I think if you lived through the very late 60's into the 70's - as I did - this is the Masterpiece Mystery for you. Everything is so spot on in the production. On a shallow note, that young Morse looked very good in uniform. Very good.

To me, Cassie 's tears were like steam escaping from a pressure cooker. I'm with AZChristian on the fact that Cassie was slowly breaking down. Unlike Sunny at home with his loving daughters, Cassie has no one, father gone, her kid(s) not calling their mum, and she's deleted John's number from her phone. Sunny gets group hugs. Cassie sits stone-faced at the kitchen table. A perfect storm of emotional pressure and as the boss of a team looking to her for guidance and example, no acceptable way for her to share or release it. Her carelessness played a huge part in a man's death. Her boss's remarks indicate his confidence is slowly eroding. (Is her job on the line? If that goes, what 's left for her?) She's privy to the raw, overwhelming grief of others and wants answers for them so very badly! The way her tears seeped out and her fingers drummed on her face showed me a solitary woman on the edge. I thought the whole interview scene with dreadful doctor was well done on all parts. (And I do love that Sunny. What a good, smart guy)

At first, I thought ep 6 was too much of an anti-climax. The right guy was arrested in ep 5 so all the excitement is over. And I suppose as far as excitement goes, it was, but thinking about it later, I really admired the production for showing the after-shocks of catching the criminal. Usually, it's bad-guy-in-jail and everyone heads for the local bar to celebrate and the victim and perp families are lost to history. Here you saw how much healing still needed to happen to everyone involved, to victim families, to families of the guilty, and law enforcement, too. Imo, all the acting was so very fine! Cassie falling slowly but inevitably apart, just masterful. And the murderer's capitulation so creepy, with those very slight smiles that made me want to smack him silly. Really believable, all of them! My only wish is that we'd have seen more of the murderer's family after his confession. It seemed to me that his second wife always knew more (wouldn't she have had to?) but couldn't bring herself to admit it, let alone say it. I may watch this episode a second time...something I seldom do...to watch that actress's reactions. One thing I recall from previous years is that there were satisfying resolutions for many of the characters (though this perp was the easiest to loathe) and I personally like that there might be redemption for poor choices and broken relationships. Realistic? Maybe not but I like to think it's possible anyway. Looking forward to season 4, which I read is a real thing. (Sighs with contentment)

Re Cassie and her dad. I don't know if her concerns about him are legit. Who's the one with the problem? I didn't like her dad's significant other but I don't get the feeling that Cassie is holding on to her dad because of her own lack of social life. My take is that she simply doesn't like or trust his woman friend, though I wish she wouldn't have rebuffed his gesture of affection. Those child/parent issues can be so very complicated!

After ep 5 of season 3, I'm fairly delighted that it might be the doc, whose arrogance annoyed me and whose kindnesses always seemed fake. Of course, I never guess the real culprit in this type of show so there will probably be a huge twist at the reveal that I should have seen coming. I really enjoy the way this drama is filmed and acted. The camera is so close to the speaker sometimes! No tear falls unnoticed. Following Chris's eye movements during the interrogation practically gave me motion sickness. His acting really sold his story for me. An enjoyable drama on many levels, though the "guv" leaving that folder behind in the coffee shop did not ring true to character for me, even as sleep deprived as she was. Looking forward to the conclusion this Sunday.

Very enjoyable finale. No one annoyed me, neither judge nor contestant, and the wedding ending was perfectly sweet. I saw pluses and minuses in all the craft work and truly didn't care who won. For me, it was never about a winner. I just wanted to watch and admire people doing what I have no talent or skill to do. And I especially wanted to listen to the adorable banter between the two hosts. One suggestion: get it on earlier than 10 pm EST. Imagine I will yearn for a rancor-less barn in the countryside frequently in the months ahead. Hurry with season 2!

Ita with Khiem 's lamp award, don't disagree with Jo's shack win, and think it was time for Billy to go home. (Really, the look on his face when Khiem won his patch was akin to being told you have an infectious disease. Unbelieving and unhappy.) I don't know how to make anything except suggestions and bright, cheerful colors always cheer me up so Jo's wall (was it 'shins' she kept calling the wood pieces?) made me happy. I'm glad she's staying. Can't say the same about the judges, however. This time the fellow annoyed me more than the woman, though. "Negligee?" Really? Amy is absolutely right. ..no woman of my acquaintance uses that word. Apart from 1940's movies, did they ever? Note to judges: I don't want to seem harsh, but in future episodes, please refrain from rolling around on anything that remotely resembles a bed.

I really got to this show late (she said sadly) because last night was my first viewing. I liked everything about it (except maybe the judges, as some of you said.) I think taking a cue from GBBS is clever and because (I say this from the bottom of my heart) you will never meet a less craft-y person than I, I find the concept of the show as interesting as the idea of space travel. Have at it, crafters! I hope there's a second season.

Thanks, Popples. Yet another reason I should rewatch episodes. I recall the restaurant scene but no wife reference. Dialogue is sometimes unclear/blurry but more honestly, my selective memory gets more selective with age.

Bright has a WIFE??? Huh. Did I need the deleted scene to know this or was it mentioned in other episodes? (I always think I'm paying strict, relentless attention each week and then some small fact like this materializes to humble me.)

Ita with the comments about seeing nothing sordid in Bright's interest in Trewlove. Never. Though I thought he might be a patronizing prig (thank you, show, for avoiding that pitfall) In fact, maybe I dreamed this or made it up after the fact, but didn't Bright mention a deceased daughter in a previous episode? (Or was it only that his wife had died?) Anyway, it clarifies and emphasizes his outrage at bad bully cop's sneering suggestion about Bright and Trewlove. Bright looked at a loss at first, but he practically rose from his chair breathing fire at the guy at mention of Trewlove. I recall the cop actor's expression: taken aback, startled, almost fearful: "Did I poke the tiger (?) too often and too hard? Am I sure the door to the cage is well and truly fastened?" I also appreciated Trewlove's expression of gratitude to him at the end. Yes, she's smart and capable, but like any novice - male or female - she recognized the good influence of a mentor and took the time to say thank you. Righteous behavior on both their parts.

Just rewatched it on the small screen ( my tablet) and enjoyed it even more the second time, I think. Better on the rewatch: Morse sleeping in the bathtub and the toilet drains gurgling behind him. The fact that it was Nero Junior, despite his crime lord father, who spoke up for the boy being flogged and made that brutish teacher stop.The lyrics of the song playing on the juke box as the police entered the room of dead bodies. Trewlove saying "the boy I liked is dead." ( a message there) Joan and Fred's tea time. I don't usually have time (or desire) for a rewatch but glad I did for this one. Makes me 1) wonder what details I missed by not rewatching the other episodes and 2) appreciate the observations and comments in this forum from other viewers.

Lovely. Lovely. So many stories within stories within stories. Win & Fred & the disappearing life savings (well, no mystery there, I'm afraid, nor ever was) & who would survive the gangland war & what happened to Mr. Ivory & the closing of the Thames Valley station & why are those boys creeping me out (sir sir sir sir sir...) & how is the writer going to pull everything together (well done!) & last but not least, are Joan & Morse going to get together at last, even briefly... I didn't find the final reveal of the killer especially convincing...she could have gone to the police about the drugs without murdering the man (she wouldn't have known then that the bad guys would kill the initial investigators) but despite all the frenzied stab wounds, I'd take my chances with her before any of the students or thugs. Love that Bright & hope we see him again, & Strange acquitted himself well, too. Completely in the dark about the 3 unmatched bullets & who really killed Fancy. Looking forward to next season already but with the long wait, I just hope I can remember something - anything - from this season's plot lines. From Trewlove painting her toenails to Morse's gorgeous funeral elegy - for me, all of it - a very satisfying finale.

Mine, too, though Endeavour is inching upward every year.

A grand episode, all twists and turns and puzzles. (The episode where the reporter was killed is still my fave because of all the interwoven puzzle clues) Liked every bit of this one, tho, and wanted to see more of that international -giant-dummy race. What in the world...!!? Just loved it. (But not as much as I loved the Dancing Thursdays) We haven't heard anything from Fred's smarmy brother but I don't think our man Fred should be counting on retiring with any kind of a life savings as support. Liked his compliment re Trewlove. Liked Morse's acknowledgement that Fancy discovered the clock clue. Enjoyed the whole punting on the river scene, but would Trewlove really canoodle on a bridge in public with Fancy? Can't see her with her copper ambitions allowing that but young love perhaps... Joan looked smashing in red (how can she afford those clothes??) but wish she would go away. Sort of tired of her. Will be sad to see the last episode of the season. Simply a quality production.

O, those dancing Thursdays!!!!! Always love the start of the episodes with all the juxtaposed scenes. This one was especially nice. I saw all the original Morse episodes but can't remember...Morse's boss (& friend) Strange had a wife, but her name wasn't Joan, was it? There was just a certain tenderness about Strange and vulnerability about Joan when he got her out of jail that made me pause. Actually, Strange came off well in this episode, I thought. Less big fuddy duddy. More tough copper. Morse seemed to appreciate his interviewing skills, too. Bright is my personal favorite, but O my dear, don't ever prose on about Trewlove to the crew again! That will remove you from my favored status. On a shallow note, Trewlove with her hair down looked like a completely different woman. Who knew a cap had so much influence?! There were several times I had to work hard to suspend disbelief but I do it happily because I enjoy the show in its entirety, actors, sets, writing, everything, so very much!

These kinds of tortured -clue episodes make me happy. So very (unnecessarily) complicated! Just like our Morse. As an early and longtime Morse fan, I found the self-reflection by Morse about dying as a solitary drunk with no family and Thursday's response that Morse would make better choices quite poignant. (O, Remorseful Day!) I also liked the ending and the burning man (which I usually find loathsome) because it was a horror show ending within a show about a horror show. So badguy was burning and destroying his own properties for the insurance money? But who stabbed the winking money collector? Did the cafe owner and his daughter have ANYTHING to do with the story? Another viewing is in order, I guess. Maybe I missed the tiger, too ?