Realising that there are now fewer and fewer viewers who actually lived through the war years in Britain, the accuracy of the scene setting and events is remarkably good. However, in 'Bad Blood'- which we were told was set in 1942 - one of the Anthrax victims (Sam) was cured by using Streptomycin. This wasn't even developed until October 1943 (by Rutgers, in America) and only released for restricted use (i.e. NOT for general hospital use) until the following years. I am also baffled to remember any effort or 'campaign' (apart from the usual wartime shortages), to save light bulbs? Neither can I find a reference to it. However, that is quibbling and generally the programs are excellent, very authentic and almost scarily evocative of living through those days.
9 Reviews
Genuinely terrifying.
Sleepin_Dragon21 November 2019
Bad Blood is in my opinion the darkest, most utterly bleak episode of Foyle's War. Chemical warfare is the dirtiest, most cruel act of warfare, so indiscriminate, so merciless, and they play on that here, even poor Sam doesn't escape.
The story as always is compelling, the cast utterly brilliant. It's a big story for Sam, romance and near death. Also a big story for Foyle, as he is forced to deal with a counterpart in another region.
There is a terrific scene at the end between Foyle and Sam, it's both funny and touching, it shows the true chemistry the duo shared on screen.
This always gives me the chills, it is fantastic. 9/10
The story as always is compelling, the cast utterly brilliant. It's a big story for Sam, romance and near death. Also a big story for Foyle, as he is forced to deal with a counterpart in another region.
There is a terrific scene at the end between Foyle and Sam, it's both funny and touching, it shows the true chemistry the duo shared on screen.
This always gives me the chills, it is fantastic. 9/10
The Worst Kind of Warfare
Hitchcoc19 September 2016
It's hard to be critical of the military when they are fighting a horrible enemy like Hitler, but here we see the testing of germs as weapons. The story starts out with a planned explosion releasing smoke which, wind borne, moves toward a group of stanchioned farm animals. The problem now is that a sheep is found dying and is brought to a farm and something begins to infest the other animals on the farm. We find out later that these guys are using anthrax spores without realizing the overall effects of their use (think back to those activities in our own country a few years ago when germs were being sent through the mail). There is a second plot as well. A second concern is the death of a woman from anthrax when the doctors can't diagnose it. Sam, who has visited the farm in question, becomes infected herself. This is a very gripping episode which brings forth all kind of questions.
Anthrax and murder
TheLittleSongbird3 November 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.
"Bad Blood" is a perfect demonstration of what is so good about 'Foyle's War' and the best episode since "Enemy Fire", though all the episodes previous to "Bad Blood" have been very good and more. Like with many 'Foyle's War' episodes, on re-watch there was much more appreciation had for how well established the character development, tone and themes are for so early on and things that didn't quite connect entirely at first made more sense on re-watches.
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 and the twists and turns that slowly unfold keep coming until an ending that one does not expect (which is most of the time with 'Foyle's War'). All the conflicts and how the period is portrayed are handled beautifully and tastefully and there is a real sense that war itself is a central character.
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.
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.
The supporting cast are strong across the board.
In summary, outstanding episode. 10/10 Bethany Cox
"Bad Blood" is a perfect demonstration of what is so good about 'Foyle's War' and the best episode since "Enemy Fire", though all the episodes previous to "Bad Blood" have been very good and more. Like with many 'Foyle's War' episodes, on re-watch there was much more appreciation had for how well established the character development, tone and themes are for so early on and things that didn't quite connect entirely at first made more sense on re-watches.
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 and the twists and turns that slowly unfold keep coming until an ending that one does not expect (which is most of the time with 'Foyle's War'). All the conflicts and how the period is portrayed are handled beautifully and tastefully and there is a real sense that war itself is a central character.
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.
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.
The supporting cast are strong across the board.
In summary, outstanding episode. 10/10 Bethany Cox
The real Christopher Foyle
raynerchris12 August 2008
I was told he (of bookshop fame) had a walk-on cameo in this episode - does anyone know who he played? This is what it says in Wikipedia "In a newspaper article and in his interview that accompanies the first season DVD set Anthony Horowitz was asked why he named the main character Christopher Foyle. He explained that he was seeking a name that evoked the early 1940s and thought of Foyles Bookshop in Charing Cross Road London, previously known for many years for its archaic practices and its owner Christina Foyle. Christopher was the nearest male name to Christina, but from 1999 following the death of Christina Foyle, control passed to her nephew Christopher Foyle who was given a small walk-on cameo part in the episode "Bad Blood"."
Goof
tbourne-1274730 November 2020
Another goof -- in this wonderful series
shfergu18 October 2021
Honeysuckle's boyfriend, from California, says he was at "Fort Benning, Virginia" before shipping out to Britain. Should be GEORGIA, of course! But I can forgive the creators of this superb production any number of such lapses in knowledge of the U. S.
Small mistake in this episode
mehoffice-3596929 January 2020
Bad Blood
Prismark1011 November 2019
Warning: Spoilers
Anthony Horowitz looks at germ warfare. Military experiments that have gone wrong has left some sheep infected. Some cows on a farm become sick and later a woman falls ill. The doctors at the hospital are unsure about what they are dealing with.
It is only when Sam falls ill after cutting her wrist on some barbed wire. Foyle takes action by marching to the offices of a military official and demanding answers.
Milner meanwhile is contacted by an old flame he once knew. Edie Ashford's brother Martin has been arrested for murder. He is a Quaker and a conscientious objector. The victim Tom Jenkins was regarded as a local war hero. He had chided Martin for his cowardice.
The curmudgeonly investigating officer in the neighbouring town knows Foyle. He thinks he has the right man but begrudgingly allows Foyle to snoop about.
The benefit of hindsight means that it easy to guess the spores that has caused the serious illness to the livestock.
The murder mystery is more intriguing. It does look like that the murder victim was not a popular man and almost everybody thinks that the main suspect is innocent.
A decent enough story with a flash of anger from Foyle as he tries to save Sam.
Sam seems to have developed a relationship with her American soldier suitor from the previous episode. Also Milner might have had a beginning of a relationship as well.
It is only when Sam falls ill after cutting her wrist on some barbed wire. Foyle takes action by marching to the offices of a military official and demanding answers.
Milner meanwhile is contacted by an old flame he once knew. Edie Ashford's brother Martin has been arrested for murder. He is a Quaker and a conscientious objector. The victim Tom Jenkins was regarded as a local war hero. He had chided Martin for his cowardice.
The curmudgeonly investigating officer in the neighbouring town knows Foyle. He thinks he has the right man but begrudgingly allows Foyle to snoop about.
The benefit of hindsight means that it easy to guess the spores that has caused the serious illness to the livestock.
The murder mystery is more intriguing. It does look like that the murder victim was not a popular man and almost everybody thinks that the main suspect is innocent.
A decent enough story with a flash of anger from Foyle as he tries to save Sam.
Sam seems to have developed a relationship with her American soldier suitor from the previous episode. Also Milner might have had a beginning of a relationship as well.
See also
Awards | FAQ | User Ratings | External Reviews | Metacritic Reviews
