Customer Reviews

Inspector Morse - Infernal Serpent [VHS]

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This story covers a multitude of sins, as it deals with sexual abuse of children, corporate greed, blackmail, and homosexuality among other things. The plot involves an intersection of issues related to possible environmental hazards, corporate efforts to suppress information regarding those hazards, and the attempts of those who have been victimized by sexual abuse to take revenge against the perpetrator. All these issues surface only after Morse investigates the death of a professor, a death which
ironically is attributed to natural causes (a heart attack). Morse once more demonstrates the "thinking man" approach to detection, reaching conclusions based upon analysis of clues (childhood photographs) which might be overlooked by less sagacious investigators. The performances are first rate, and the manner in which the story unfolds maintains interest throughout.

When a highly regarded environmentalist is mugged and then dies of a heart attack, just before he was to speak at Oxford, Morse and Sgt. Lewis enter the case. Morse, who graduated from Oxford, is comfortable dealing with the dons and, in this case, the Master of one of the colleges. Master Matthew Copley-Barnes had been on his way to the debate when he witnessed the mugging. Copley-Barnes is arrogant, cruel to his wife and daughter, and he elicits no sympathy as he runs the college with an iron fist.

Among the many (sometimes gratuitous) complications is the fact that Mick McGovern, the young man arrested for the mugging/murder has been having a gay relationship with one of the music conductors, who himself is behaving strangely, even with Morse, whom he knows. Copley-Barnes's daughter Imogen has had more than one breakdown, and she is having one during most of this episode. Imogen's childhood companion has returned for a visit, staying with the Copley-Barneses, though she heartily dislikes the Master. Now a journalist, she is doing an investigative story on the Master. If these complications are not enough to challenge the viewer, there are accusations of child abuse involving at least four people, and evidence that the college is covering up for the environmental disasters (and cancer) associated with a chemical company, a major donor to the college.

Beautifully acted, as always, by John Thaw (Inspector Morse) and Kevin Whately (Sgt. Lewis), the supporting cast is especially memorable for its eccentric mannerisms and odd behavior. With one exception, none of the characters are likable, and stereotypes abound. Only Pearce Quigley, playing Mick McGovern, manages to infuse his role with sympathy, becoming one of the few "round" characters in the episode. The music--in this case, primarily choral music--is gorgeous, providing "heavenly" contrasts to the tawdry activities of some of the characters, and the photography, as always is outstanding.

One of the more complex Morse mysteries, this one has so many red herrings that it is often difficult to see where the mystery is going and to identify the true villains. Late in the episode, another death takes place, and the writers play with the viewer here by suggesting that one person is a killer so they can set up a grand finale and a surprise twist. Fun to watch, like all the Morse mysteries, this one is less focused than some, filled with inflammatory subplots and a large number of characters so over-the-top that the viewer cares little about them. n Mary Whipple

Throughout this installment, Mozart piano sonatas, in particular the Turkish K 331, provide the background music. There is a large cast of characters and when we eliminate those who appear for color only, we are still left with several, who all participate in the tale one way or another. We have two murders, adultery, homosexuality, corporate irregularities and cover ups. Even Superintendent Rennie, filling in for Chief Superintendent Strange, who is on holiday, is gotten to as he unwittingly suggests Morse should withdraw and go on holiday. Lewis is obsessed with the first post-mortem, which annoys Morse but yields important results. It requires serious concentration to follow this intricate plot and you may wish to view it a second time to catch all the details. The entry is strengthened by the appearance of Geoffrey Palmer in a major role.

In Infernal Serpent, Morse (John Thaw) finds himself dealing with corruption of all forms in high places. Both Morse and Lewis (Kevin Whately) are warned off the case when their investigations ruffle the feathers of some high-ranking people. Luckily, both Morse and Lewis are not averse to carrying on their investigations on the sly, and the deeper they dig, the more disturbing the details that emerge.

The supporting roles are credibly cast here - there's the Oxford master and his wife, a seemingly benign couple with some dark secrets; their daughter who seems emotionally fragile; the young family friend who comes over for a visit but seems to harbor an agenda of her own; and, a young child whose innocence is forever lost. This is another winner in the Morse series. It is slow-going at times, but Morse and Lewis' investigative methods are always meticulous and though the outcome is not quite what either would have expected, let's just say justice is served in the end.

Here is the episode listing for the Inspector Morse series:
First Series (1987)
The Dead of Jericho
The Silent World of Nicholas Quinn
Service of All the Dead

Second Series (1988)
The Wolvercote Tongue
Last Seen Wearing
The Settling of the Sun
Last Bus to Woodstock

Third Series (1989)
Ghost in the Machine
The Last Enemy
Deceived by Flight
The Secret of Bay 5B

Fourth Series (1990)
The Infernal Serpent
The Sins of the Fathers
Driven to Distraction
Masonic Mysteries

Fifth Series (1991)
Second Time Around
Fat Chance
Who Killed Harry Field?
Greeks Bearing Gifts
Promised Land

Sixth Series (1992)
Dead on Time
Happy Families
The Death of the Self
Absolute Conviction
Cherubim and Seraphim

Seventh Series (1993)
Deadly Slumber
The Day of the Devil
Twilight of the Gods

Specials 1995-2000
The Way through the Woods
The Daughters of Cain
Death is Now My Neighbour
The Wench Is Dead
The Remorseful Day

I believe I now have all the shows for Inspector Morse.
Have enjoyed all of them. The first time when shown on PBS televsion...and now at my lesiure.... John Thaw was a great actor and is sadly missed. If you enjoy good a mystery with a little humor this is the way to go. Collect the series of Inspector Morse with his Sargent Lewis.

The Inspector Lewis series is also well done.