User Reviews

The Gift of Promise is a very strong episode, and a very good Series finale. It's a complex story, the killings seem to make no sense, it seems impossible that they can be linked, however when you get the conclusion you're able to put all the pieces of the jigsaw together. It is one of those episodes that makes much more sense with subsequent viewings. The writing is always good, as are production values and narrative, what this episode boasts however, are some incredible performances, standouts are Anna Chancellor, Cherie Lunghi and Lorcan Cranitch are all particularly good. Great to see Gabrielle Lloyd as Eileen in the coffee shop, who of course appeared in the Morse episode, The daughters of Cain. There are some nice observations that you can make, there are lots of things to look out for.

Nice soap-opera-ish screen-story to send-off Season Five, as Detective Inspector Robert Lewis (Kevin Whately), Detective Sergeant James Hathaway (Laurence Fox), Forensic Pathologist Doctor Laura Hobson (Clare Holman), and Chief Superintendent Jean Innocent (Rebecca Front) to investigate the case of "Who Killed Mary? - Chapter 8," with DC Madge (Joy Blakeman) on this episode's computer duty.

In the back-story, Mary Keene, an innocent recruited as an agent for an IRA operative, is believed slain, and so her story, subsequently, becomes fodder for a non-fiction account penned by memoir author Dame Grace Orde (Cherie Lunghi), who arrives at Oxford one Monday for a book-signing event, attended by James Hathaway. But by Thursday, four additional victims of murder or attempted murder would surface, which quite naturally rates as par for the course for any given week at Oxford Campus.

Leon Suskin (David Westhead), Publisher at Suskin Press, attempts to negotiate to represent a reluctant Grace Orde for a follow-up book, while his second wife, Judith Suskin (Anna Chancellor), supervises the education of their teenage daughter, Zoe Suskin (Lucy Boynton), who receives a scholarship award for gifted children, as the element of soap suds come into play.

It would seem as though Andrea De Ritter (Elize du Toit), a young lady who founds the scholarship organization, plays Leon against Liam Cullen (Lorcan Cranitch), her associate from Belfast, as well as acrobatic student Elmo Woodeson (Matt Orton), who also shares an interest in Zoe, while Zoe and Elmo's tutor, Donald Voss (Mark Aiken), seems to play Zoe against her mother, Judith, who suspects Leon of cheating, who suspects Judith of cheating, before the trail of bodies begins to surface.

So, between Monday and Thursday, the first body is discovered upon a residence floor with various notes scattered about; the second body is discovered on outdoor steps before LSD is detected in the system (although acid is usually not detectable); the third victim receives arsenic poisoning, regularly and deliberately administered; and the fourth body is discovered outside of a park, a murder resulting from multiple stabbing wounds.

Inspector Lewis and Sergeant Hathaway interview surviving suspects, and also question Eileen Norman (Gabrielle Lloyd) a campus cafeteria waitress. Carly Cliff (Leanne Rowe) serves as secretary at Suskin Press, with Ronald Marsden (Charlie Roe) an associate of Leon Suskin. Doctor (Sagar Arya), Nurse (Michelle Luther), and Karolina (Natalia Ryumina) round out the cast.

Tensions mount, and plot twists develop at a rapid pace, climaxing in a compelling showdown scene, with one suspect aiming the barrel of a pistol toward another, as Hathaway and Lewis race on foot to attempt to prevent additional murders.

Matt Orton delivers an impressive turn as Elmo Woodeson here, in his first television (or film) role, while Clare Holman and Kevin Whately provide another hint toward the direction of their Laura/Robbie association. Laurence Fox also continues to add his nice professional touch to the series as the innocent, scholarly but ambitious James Hathaway.

I really enjoy mystery plots where we get tot he last ten minutes and are still in the dark. This is one of them. The screenwriter engages us with several subplots. There is a constant connection with Northern Ireland, sex, money, the treatment of gifted children, poison, and misdirection. Our detectives have to be on their best game because the playing field is filled with land mines. Hathaway, who is often stumbling over his religious beliefs, recalls his treatment as a child and this puts him behind in the resolution (although he will eventually get a grasp). There are wonderful performances here that really make this one sparkle.

A simple premise which as usual turns rather convoluted (in a good sense) - 'The Gift of Promise' delivers on all the usual levels. What makes this episode stand out in the 4th season of 'Lewis' is the general standard of performances. Chérie Lunghi is as good as ever, our protagonists are excelling themselves, and the revelation of the episode is the performance of the exceptionally gifted (both in the storyline and in life; see article in Travel section of the Telegraph newspaper written when she was but ten years old) and rather beautiful Lucy Boynton as Zoë. I think she must have been 15 or 16 at the time of filming, but displays a maturity and talent way beyond her years. No spoilers - I never do - but if you haven't, the seek out and watch. One of the better episodes of the entire canon.

I really like mystery shows where I get to the last ten minutes and the conclusion is totally feasible. In this one we have several entities functioning in conjunction, all of whom are sorted out in the end. There are several subplots which involve activities from the past in Northern Ireland, the treatment of gifted students. jealousy, and the usual ones involving love, sex, and money. Lewis and Hathaway are set up on several occasions and have to divert their direction. Hathaway, having been one of these gifted ones in his youth (and, of course, presently) goes in with a bit of prejudice. Usually, it's his religious beliefs that counter his intellect. This one is different.

This episode is so well researched, historically, and still so currently controversial that if you even try and elucidate any of the parallels with actual events, such as the mysterious code name that recurs, the post will be taken down. I know because I've tried. Someone, at least, would not want you to take too much notice of the plot. It's a heady mix of police work, crime, politics and history.

That's only the background of course! It's also excellent, suspenseful drama, thanks to the writing and acting. As well as the always compelling performances from regulars Kevin Whatley and Laurence Fox, at the top of their game, there is a most affecting portrayal by Anna Chancellor, showing a range of complex emotions in a difficult role.

There's also a chance to see an early Lucy Boynton, now a star of the cinema. Those, like myself, who have been long-term fans of Cherie Lunghi since her days at the Royal Shakespeare Company, can relish seeing her here in a typically elegant but also rather scary role.

There's a nice cameo from Lorcan Cranitch and a compelling performance by Mark Aiken. Dramatic tension is maintained through numerous plot twists but space is still left for the welcome touches of humour that always lighten each episode of Lewis.

Really not to be missed!

Low-key with wonderful mystery, suspense, and excellent actors. The characters all had a unknown past possibly connected to the murders which is a trait of outstanding writing. Though some of the components of the story probably were used in British detective mysteries before it all seemed fresh in the total package.

I thought Kevin Whately ss DI Robert Lewis gave one of his better performances with seemingly many more lines than usual meeting the challenge.

We're getting to know more each episode what makes Laurence Fox as DS James Hathaway tick. This previously with weaker writing got a touch sappy but was done well here.

Only negative was too little screentime for stunning Clare Holman as Dr. Laura Hobson still stuck in neutral with Lewis romantically.

A woman is murdered shortly after making some cryptic notes in a book published by a retired senior MI5 official. The prime suspect is a young man she was close to and when he falls to his death it appears like murder-suicide. However, Lewis is not so sure.

A reasonably interesting episode of Lewis. It is a bit over-complex, a problem that bedevils many of the Lewis and the Morse episodes. Once you start unravelling the complexity plot holes are revealed, another problem (and caused by the complexity as the more complex it becomes the looser the plot becomes).

Still, it is interesting enough.

Hearing about 'Lewis' for the first time when it first started, there was a big touch of excitement seeing as 'Inspector Morse' was and still is one of my favourites but also a little intrepidation, wondering whether the series would be as good. The good news is, like the prequel series 'Endeavour', 'Lewis' is every bit as good as 'Inspector Morse' and stands very well on its own two feet as a detective mystery and show in general.

As said a number of times already, 'Lewis' started off very promising with the pilot and Season 1. It was with Season 2 where 'Lewis' hit its stride with things generally feeling more settled. Season 3 was a more mixed bag, started disappointing "Allegory of Love" (though to me it was not a bad episode), before getting better with "The Quality of Mercy" and finishing well. "The Dead of Winter" was a well done start to Season 4, "Dark Matter" was to me the best episode since "Music to Die For", "Your Sudden Death Question" was solid and "Falling Darkness" was the best from that season.

"Old, Unhappy, Far Off Things", that opened Season 5, is one of the few episodes of 'Lewis' where it was difficult to find any fault, and "Wild Justice" came close to that. "The Mind Has Mountains" is not as good sadly, intriguing enough episode but also an uneven one that peters out too early. The episode that closes the season "The Gift of Promise" is a step up from the previous episode, almost as good as "Old, Unhappy, Far Off Things" and on the same level as "Wild Justice".

The strengths are numerous here and considerably big. As always, the acting is fine, anchored by Kevin Whately and Laurence Fox. Whately is again very good and carries the episode with aplomb, advantaged by that Lewis is much more developed and as said he has more development. Fox is a breath of fresh air in a great contrasting role that reminds one of a more intelligent Lewis in his younger days and his sparkling sparring chemistry with Whately is a big part of the episode's, and show's, appeal. Clare Holman adds a lot, and Innocent has been better written over time. The supporting cast are all strong, particularly Cherie Lunghi, Anna Chancellor, Matt Orton and Lucy Boynton.

Production values are of very high quality. It's beautifully shot as always, and Oxford not only looks exquisite but is like a supporting character in itself. Barrington Pheloung returns as composer, and does a first-rate job. The theme tune, while not as iconic or quite as clever as Morse's, is very pleasant to listen to, the episode is charmingly and hauntingly scored and the use of pre-existing music is very well-incorporated.

Writing is smart and thought-provoking mostly, with fun interplay between Lewis and Hathaway. The story grips one right in and rarely lets go with some nice twists and surprises. The characters are engaging.

It does get slightly convoluted, hastily paced and over-stuffed with explanations towards the ends, but things are wrapped up nicely and in the end it just about makes sense and doesn't feel far-fetched at all.

On the whole, great episode and a strong end to a mostly solid season with some slight disappointment. 9/10 Bethany Cox

The basics of this story could have made a half-decent episode but the huge plot holes mentioned in other reviews combined with the usual obsession with Da Yoof and the excruciatingly awful performance of a ludicrous and annoying character by Lucy Boynton (the voice, the accent, the fry, the stare: please tell me she wasn't paid for this rubbish) pretty much put the kibosh on that ambition.

Cherie Lunghi, as heavenly as ever, does raise things a bit but in a lost cause.