Masterpiece Mystery: Inspector Lewis - Pilot Through Series 6 (2013)

PHOTO 1 = SERGEANT LEWIS (AGE 36) WITH INSPECTOR MORSEPHOTO 2 = INSPECTOR LEWIS (AGE 64) WITH INSPECTOR HATHAWAYPHOTO 3 = INSPECTOR LEWIS (?) REPRIMANDED BY DCI GEORGE GENTLYUPDATE: Sad NewsSeason Eight will be the final season of Inspector Lewis.[see the Comment dated November 3, 2015 for the official announcement]Final total:Inspector Morse = 33 Episodes (with Sergeant Lewis)Inspector Lewis = 33 Episodes (the final six shared with Inspector Hathaway)Actor Kevin Whately played the same role for 28 years (1987-2015).-----------------------------------------------------------My original review:The following discussion uses the American season numbers. *It looked like Inspector Lewis had finally had it after Season Six.Pity.In the final episode, Inspector Robert Lewis announced his retirement from the Thames Valley Police Force,and Sergeant James Hathaway announced that he was leaving the force entirely (precluding a possible sequel).That's where this box leaves off.Surprise.At the start of Season Seven, Superintendent Innocent finds herself short-staffed.She asks Robert Lewis to consider coming back part-time to help out.The prime beneficiary of his help turns out to be the newly appointed Inspector James Hathaway.A bit far-fetched, but I love it!SERIES OVERVIEW:For the past thirty years, Oxford University has averaged a murder a week. Shocking.Actor Kevin Whately (born 1951) has played the same character - Sergeant, then Inspector Robert Lewis - from age 36 through age 64 and counting.-- a) Inspector Morse, aired 1987-2000 (his Sergeant = D.S. Robert Lewis)following Morse's death, Sergeant Lewis was promoted to Inspector.-- b) Inspector Lewis, aired 2006-present (his Sergeant = D.S. James Hathaway)following Lewis's retirement, Sergeant Hathaway was promoted to Inspector.-- c) Inspector Hathaway doesn't have his own series [yet] because Inspector Lewis, bored with retirement, came back part-time in Season Seven.A slightly resentful Inspector Hathaway now shares the 'Inspector Lewis' series with Inspector Lewis.Together they share Sergeant Lizzie Maddox.Season Eight of Inspector Lewis: Inspector Lewis: Season 8 [Blu-ray] **I wouldn't object to Season One of "Inspector Hathaway", but I do hope Kevin Whately sticks it out for two more years to celebrate his Thirtieth Anniversary as Lewis.BUYING OPTIONS:[hint: for ease of navigation, read the review through to the end, then come back and click on the links.]When Inspector Lewis was first broadcast on PBS 'Masterpiece Mystery', the episodes were cut by ten to fifteen minutes.The earliest DVD releases were of the cut version, but since then all seven series have been released in America in their uncut formSeasons 4-7 are also available on Blu-Ray.Seasons 1-3 are only on DVD.The easiest way to make certain you are getting the uncut UK version of the early seasons is to buy this inexpensive 17 DVD box, which takes you to the end of Season Six.All episodes are uncut, wide-screen and have subtitles + there is a "making of" documentary.-- Then buy Season Seven: Masterpiece Mystery: Inspector Lewis 7 [Blu-ray] (Blu-Ray or DVD)-- Wait till later this year to buy Season Eight. *** The confusion in numbering is due to PBS's decision to broadcast the first three British seasons as two US seasons.Seasons 1-7 (UK) = Seasons 1-6 (US)Season 8 (UK) = Season 7 (US)Season 9 (UK) = Season 8 (US)There is no difference in content (at least on Blu-Ray/DVD - The PBS broadcasts are a different matter)** Beware of Lewis series 8 [UK import, region 2 PAL format]This is not U.S. Season Eight - Everything in this box was was released as "Season Seven" in America.For more information click on the link and read my review" NOT REALLY SERIES EIGHT --- This is Season Seven in North America"The review has more information about the upcoming U.S. release of Season Eight.----------------------------------------------------------Kevin Whately doesn't look 64 in the Inspector Lewis series, but check out his guest appearance as Inspector Don McGhee in the final episode ("Gently in the Cathedral") of George Gently, Series Five: George Gently, Series 5 [Blu-ray]Inspector Morse - played by John Thaw - was the first and best of modern British Police Inspectors.He is long overdue for remastering and repackaging at a reduced price.The 25th Anniversary set was a disappointment: Elderly video transfers, No subtitles, Expensive.Inspector Morse 25th Anniversary Collection(read the review by Happy Reader dated November 11, 2012)I only hope the upcoming Thirtieth Anniversary may bring an improvement.And don't forget 'Endeavour', aired 2011-present.This is a prequel to the Inspector Morse series.Set in 1960s England, when young Detective Constable Endeavour Morse is assigned to Inspector Fred Thursday(Morse dropped the first name after he made Inspector).Pilot + Series One: Masterpiece Mystery: Endeavour Series 1 [Blu-ray]Series Two: Masterpiece Mystery: Endeavour Series 2 [Blu-ray]There will be a Season Three.

Arrived safely, as described, plays well.

"LEWIS" is the best detective show of all-time. Set in Oxford, perfectly-cast, well-written, masterfully photographed and directed, the 27 episodes in this collection will get quite a workout in your home. I hope you don't mind, but I refer to this show by its UK title, "LEWIS," because when you buy these discs you'll be watching the full UK-length version of each episode, not the edited "INSPECTOR LEWIS" version shown here in the states on PBS.The hallmarks of "LEWIS" are• first-rate storytelling;• unfailing suspense in revealing the theory of the case and the murderer's identity;• smart and lean dialogue;• naturalism in the depiction of characters and relationships;• the flowering of Detective Inspector Robbie Lewis as a crime-solver in the mold of the late DCI Morse while he simultaneously becomes more like Morse in many other ways, including his disposition;• the spiritual and professional evolution of Detective Sergeant James Hathaway;• tremendous chemistry and ease between the lead actors, Kevin Whately (Lewis) and Laurence Fox (Hathaway), which translates onscreen into a rather nurturing father-son relationship;• the use in every episode of actual locales in the City and University, (e.g., the detectives interview witnesses in actual dorms, professors' offices, common rooms), making the greater Oxford area and its centuries-old University—with its breathtaking architecture—one giant indoor/outdoor "LEWIS" film set; and finally• old-fashioned gumshoe police work, the kind Morse humorously loathed to perform, yet gumshoeing reminiscent of the best of "Law & Order" in the Lenny-Mike/Lenny-Rey years.Lewis and Hathaway solve their cases with by-the-book leg work, keen observation, and that vaunted skill that Lewis clearly developed when he was Morse's bagman sergeant: the ability to put the puzzle pieces together.All this is done without resorting to violence or action-film gimmicks. The typical "LEWIS" action scene has our detectives running from their car to the final encounter with the suspect or to some other exigent circumstance. The rarity of physical confrontations, explosions, and screeching tires is refreshing and laudable. The total absence of suspects' rights violations and gunfire exchanges is something I wish American cop shows would emulate.Mrs. Bookman and I have watched this entire collection four times—all 27 "LEWIS" episodes in chronological order, although we freely cherry-pick our favorite episodes here and there for additional viewings. I've probably seen the "Series Pilot" and "The Quality of Mercy" (Season 2) half a dozen times apiece; and seen "Counter Culture Blues" (Season 3),"The Dead of Winter" (Season 3), "The Gift of Promise" (Season 4), "The Soul of Genius" (Season 5), "Generation of Vipers" (Season 5), and "The Ramblin' Boy" (Season 6) eight to ten times apiece. Each afternoon when we're not travelling, Mrs. Bookman and I have our tea and watch at least one episode of "LEWIS" (we own this collection plus the Season 7 Blu-ray) or "ENDEAVOUR" (we own every episode on Blu-ray) or "INSPECTOR MORSE" (we watch it online). Just a few days ago we watched "Intelligent Design," the last episode in this collection. (We then re-watched Season 7 on Blu-ray, finishing last night. Now, it's on/back to "ENDEAVOUR.")As Hathaway's guv'ner might put it, "LEWIS" is the best telly in years. And what better way to enjoy the episodes of your choice anytime you want than by owning the discs. I have streamed HD episodes of "LEWIS" on Amazon Prime. (Seasons 4 through 6 are currently available in HD.) But when the interwebs are busy or my cable company can't be bothered to provide sufficient uninterrupted broadband width, the DVDs come in handy. They give me more control over my options; my Blu-ray/DVD player is more responsive than streaming video to the remote control; and when our high-speed-cable internet connection lets us down, we get a clearer image from the DVDs than we get from the low-def streaming video.I give "LEWIS" my highest recommendation. I wish I could give it 6 stars. Or 10.

One of the best mystery series there is!