Inspector Lewis (TV Series) The Ramblin' Boy: Part 2 (2013) User Reviews

Who was cremated and why?

[Tweekums · 8/10 · 29 January 2013]

After a dinner two of the guests go missing; one of them a police officer who was having an affair with the host's wife and the other a man who had just found a notebook which may have contained a motive to murder or to be murdered! Not long afterwards a body is discovered; strangely it had been prepared for burial; it would seem that somebody had switched bodies at the funeral directors to ensure that a murder victim was cremated… the only question is who was the victim. With Hathaway on holiday Lewis finds himself with a new partner; DC Grey. Together they try to figure out who was cremated and why. Inevitably there is another death and a couple of attempted murders before the crime is solved.

This was an enjoyable mystery although it does suffer from being split into two parts a week apart; by the time I watched the conclusion I'd forgotten much of what happened in the opening part! The mystery was suitably convoluted with a large cast of potential suspects with a range of potential motives. I wasn't too surprised when the killer was revealed but that didn't weaken the story; I had no idea why until it was revealed and in a mystery like this that can be just as interesting. It was interesting to see Lewis with a new partner, Babou Ceesay did a good job in the role; that doesn't mean Hathaway was missed out although; a convenient coincidence meant he could help the case while abroad. Away from the murder it was nice to see Robbie get close to a woman who was neither a killer nor a victim; it is about time!

These comments refer to the whole story not just part two.

Back on track

[david_kravitz · 8/10 · 30 January 2013]

After a very weak series 6 which suggested that this series is running out of steam, the first two stories of series 7 suggest that it is back on track, albeit there was precious little of Hathaway in story 2.

Another criticism of both this series and its stablemate Midsomer Murders is that I could guess "whodunnit?" from the credit titles, usually the guest star. A further niggle is ITV's decision to split these stories into two parts a full week apart. I get around this by recording both and I can then fast forward through the adverts as a bonus.

This story was well written by Lucy Gannon and moved along smoothly after a shaky start with too many characters. And two of the minor regulars had much bigger roles. Plus, after a near miss some three or four four series back, Robbie finally got hooked and found love. It brought a smile to his face, the other main characters and to us watching.

Well worth a watch with it murders and a clever idea of an incinerated body to make it difficult to identify victim or killer but with some humorous touches thrown in. Just a pity I knew the killer before he/she had said a word.

I really thought this was exceptional.

[Sleepin_Dragon · 9/10 · 29 August 2019]

It was such a shame that ITV messed around with this once great show, hopefully they've learned their lesson. This was a wonderful mystery from start to finish.

I know I'm a Doctor Who fan, with the potential of bias, but all I could think as I watched, was what a truly brilliant actor Peter Davison is, as he's aged, he's just developed into a huge presence, his voice, demeanour, I thought he eclipsed everyone. Closely followed by the excellent Lia Williams, who is always great value, her character was very complex.

Very well written, with lots of events and characters, it all knitted together very neatly, as a viewer I was kept guessing til the very last. DC Gray was a wonderful addition, I loved his final scene. Biggest surprise was the use of Jean Innocent, she's so often heading to a party in a ball gown, or sat at her desk, they finally brought her into the story, easily the best episode for the character.

Overall, it's one of the best. 9/10

A Careful Undertaking

[Hitchcoc · 8/10 · 23 March 2018]

In the second half of this story, Lewis, along with a substitute for the vacationing Hathaway, begin to look into the fact that a man who was supposedly buried is found in a wooded area. Of course, this brings the people running the mortuary under suspicion. There was a cremation registered, but what about the body? Lewis and partner begin to unravel a series of violent acts, including the near death of the young man whose father has gone missing. HIs girlfriend is also involved in a non-related connection to one of her female professors. We also have a slow movement from our fine Chief Inspector's amores with the adorable crime scene specialist. I thought this was a very engaging episode.

Dr Who?

[safenoe · 8/10 · 21 December 2020]

I like Lewis even though I've never watched an Inspector Morse or Endeavour episode. Anyway, much concentration is required to enjoy this episode, with its layered plots, interweaving characters, and red herrings.

Peter Davison, famous for being one of the Dr Whos, is the main guest star in this episode where he plays the brother-in-law (I think?) of a GP.

Hathaway (Laurence Fox) is in Croatia (helping out with rebuilding a shelter, kind of like Habitat for Humanity) for most of this episode. His temporary replacement is DC Alex Gray (Babou Ceesay). It's a shame Gray didn't make more appearances in future episodes.

I was a bit surprised that Oxford Don Emma Barnes (Lia Williams) didn't really resolve her issues about children. I was kind of expecting something shocking in the final act, but not to be.

Seems like this has been done before.

[vitoscotti · 9/10 · 30 April 2024]

"A Touch of Frost" or possibly another classic British detective mystery I'm fairly certain had done something similar to this. Even though the deja vu watching was still enjoyable. Strong casting of unique characters. The story was riveting all the way through. The ending villains reveal with laying out the dastardly deeds timeline flowed nicely.

Stunning Lucy Speed as Louise Cornish caught my eye. Shame she had such a a minor role. Tom Brooke as creepy undertaker Brian Miller was perfectly cast playing a zombie like stereotype. Hathaway's (borderline ridiculous conveniently in Croatia) replacement was only ok mostly due to such a minor role. Really didn't get to see what the actor can offer.

Kevin Whately (with a bad full toupee) and Dr Laura finally show some affection. Overall a strong two part episode.

The Ramblin' Boy: The second half

[TheLittleSongbird · 7/10 · 22 June 2017]

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.

'Lewis' was a show that started off promisingly with the pilot and the first season, while getting even better with a more settled Season 2 where the show hit its stride. Season 3 was more of a mixed bag (not a bad season at all, but started a little disappointingly, though better than reputed, with one of the show's generally lesser episodes "Allegory of Love"). Season 4 generally was one of the better seasons of 'Lewis', with all the episodes very good to great, and Season 5 was solid with the only disappointment being "The Mind Has Mountains".

Season 6 started off very well with "The Soul of Genius", while "Generation of Vipers" was even better. Unfortunately, "Fearful Symmetry" was very disappointing and has always been one of my least favourite 'Lewis' episodes. Luckily, "The Indelible Stain" saw the sixth season back on track.

The seventh season is certainly not terrible with enough strengths to compensate for misgivings, but has suffered from the bizarre decision to split (or chop, which is more appropriate) the episodes into two halves with a week's hiatus, which didn't work in "Down Among the Fearful" and works even less in the first half of "The Ramblin' Boy". Contrary to what was said in my review for the first part of "The Ramblin' Boy" while still somewhat over-complicated the second part fares better.

Many great things. The acting is fine, Kevin Whately is very good as pretty much always while Rebecca Front and Clare Holman are just as good (really like the chemistry between Lewis and Hobson, very warm and sweet and should be developed even more). Babou Ceesay does a good job as Gray, Hathaway's temporary replacement, bringing an appealing quiet determination that suited the character very well. The supporting cast are without complaint too.

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.

A good deal of the writing is smart and thought-provoking. The story is not perfect but is easier to follow this time round and things do start to come together and make sense.

Not everything works. Despite Ceesay's noble efforts, 'Lewis' just isn't the same without Hathaway with Gray lacking his spark. His chemistry with Lewis is bland, whereas Lewis and Hathaway's chemistry is one of the selling points of the show.

While coming together better and being easier to follow, the story did still feel rushed and over-complicated and a few scenes jump around too much. The killer's identity was not a surprise at all either.

In summary, decent and superior second half to a patchy first half. 7/10 Bethany Cox