Foyle's War (TV Series) A Lesson in Murder (2002) User Reviews

A Lesson in Murder

[Prismark10 · 7/10 · 9 April 2018]

A Lesson in Murder has several interlocking stories and several future stars including David Tennant and Danny Dyer.

Foyle manages to deal with the death of a conscientious objector in the prison cells rather rapidly. After being refused exemption by a tribunal judge, his body is later found in the cells, an apparent suicide. Foyle knows from the bruises in his body, wet clothes that some police brutality was involved because of his pacifist views. The pacifist group in the town are not happy especially with the tribunal judge who rarely recognises a conscientious objector.

The judge, Lawrence Gascoigne gets death threats which Foyle investigates. More heartbreaking the judge and his wife as well as their grown up daughter are looking after a little boy, an evacuee from London. At first it seems only the daughter cares for the little boy, Mr Gascoigne and his wife finding him to be a nuisance. However when the boy dies from an explosion you see the pained anguish in Mrs Gascoigne's face as she cries over his murder.

The third story is of the Italian restaurant owner and his son Tony who dates Foyle's driver Samantha. Tony also gets involved with a rebellious old friend. Any of these two as well as someone from the pacifist group could be planning to kill the judge.

A strong mystery, with several splinter plots. Foyle has to tell the father of the little boy what happened to his son. Foyle also investigates why the judge allowed one person conscientious objector status but refused others. The Italian restaurant part was rather predictable, once the bombing starts you can sort of figure it will not end well for the restaurant. However the episode shows that Foyle is a man of integrity with strong beliefs in right and wrong but also reconciles that justice needs to be flexible.

Integrity Pays a Price

[Hitchcoc · 10/10 · 15 May 2016]

It must have taken a lot to declare yourself a conscientious objector at the outset of World War II. The episode begins with the apparent suicide of a young man who has been put in jail for arguing over being dismissed by a judge. Now the episode revolves around that judge, his wife, an Italian restaurant owner, his son, and a pacifist group, living in town. Sadly, there is also a young boy who has been living with the judge and his family. He is a bit wild. He was sent away for his protection against potential attack by the German Luftwaffe. At some point, he opens the door to a little house, which has been rigged with a grenade. He is killed and this sends Foyle and his people into action. Foyle is a man of great integrity, who must be a policeman first, but recognize that the world, even in war time, isn't very simple. Hate and suspicion are rearing their heads as full scale war is inevitable. I am excited to see more episodes of this series.

A Lesson in drama brilliance.

[Sleepin_Dragon · 10/10 · 30 March 2018]

What a truly fantastic episode this is. Foyle's War always manages to make you think about aspects of the War that perhaps you wouldn't normally give a lot of consideration to. Life for a conscientious objector must have been so tough, you can also see how the situation could have been manipulated by the wealthy in society.

You always know a show is big when it attracts big names, the likes of David Tennant, Danny Dyer, Cheryl Campbell, proves this was a show worth being in. It is a truly exceptional episode, a terrific story, intriguing crime, and some fantastic characters. I particularly enjoyed Cheryl Campbell's frosty Emily Gascgoine, but she was in amazing company, the likes of Elliot Cowan and Sophia Myles.

The fact that it's a murder mystery seems almost secondary, the detail and content is so fascinating and compelling. The mystery itself is intriguing, and the result was truly unexpected.

Wonderful, 10/10

A lesson one cannot refuse

[TheLittleSongbird · 10/10 · 27 October 2017]

Loved 'Foyle's War' and was immediately hooked when first getting into it. Love it even more now, on re-watches things that didn't quite make sense at first are clearer and things that were not noticed or appreciated before are and much admired. Everything that came over as brilliant on first viewings still are brilliant on re-watches.

"A Lesson in Murder" continues the exceptionally high quality set by the first two episodes and goes very well with them. As said before, there was the thought that it was hard to get into at first. Again, on re-watch there was much more appreciation had for how well established the character development, tone and themes are for so early on. The story is a complicated one but also a very compelling and clever one where the surprises keep coming. As one can expect from 'Foyle's War' the denouement is not an expected or obvious one and rings true.

Have always admired the visual detail that went into 'Foyle's War' and how high quality the production values are, with beautiful costumes, the evocative way the characters are made up, the look of the houses and cars, pretty locations and authentic-looking scenery. The music is in keeping with the mood and doesn't overpower the drama while still making an impact.

Writing is intelligent, sophisticated and thought-provoking, establishing Foyle's personality with so much depth already and providing some tense and heart-tugging moments. The story is complicated, with a lot of strands that requires full attention, but clever and from start to finish intriguing. It paces itself deliberately but with so much going on it's never once dull. The beginning is one of the show's most thought-provoking and moving.

One thing that wasn't picked up by me but now is and admired hugely is the tackling of what was seen as truths but some really misconceptions and seeing British during the war in a new light. This was a bold move and dealt with a lot of honesty and tact. The background information is so well researched and is every bit as interesting as the mystery itself. The character tensions were also handled very well and added a lot of intrigue. A wonderful job is done with Milner, whose story really resonates touchingly, while the scenes between Foyle and Spencer are riveting and has degrees of tension.

Michael Kitchen is truly superb as Foyle, subtle, intensely determined, commanding and above all human. One of the most interesting television detectives there's ever been and Kitchen has rarely been better. Honeysuckle Weeks is charming and loyal, with some nice touches of subtle humour as ever, and Anthony Howell is wonderful, his character development resonating touchingly.

The supporting cast are more than up to their level. Cheryl Campbell, John Shrapnel, David Tennant and Sophia Myles are all excellent but it's Oliver Ford Davies at his most unforgettably loathsome who is particularly memorable.

In conclusion, brilliant once again. 10/10 Bethany Cox

Great episode

[jimvandemoter-50236 · 10/10 · 15 January 2022]

I'm a self avowed history nut and I also love great story telling. This series hits on all levels. You really get al feel of how it was for the English during that time. The German airforce conducting air raids, the British army seemingly alone against the German juggernaut and the Americans staying away. There's so much more. I love this series. I've watched every episode over and over and it never gets old.