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.
"The Cage" is the second episode of 'Foyle's War's' revival period, having returned 2013 after a three year absence when initially cancelled. While it is not 'Foyle's War' at its best and nowhere near among the series' best episodes, it is an improvement on the previous episode "The Eternity Ring" and a worthy episode in its own right. That episode did have a lot of fine things, but was rather chaotic, rushed and not always easy to follow, one of the lesser 'Foyle's War' episodes to me.
Not everything works. The episode is at its least compelling with the character of Adam and his politics subplot, all the other regular characters have much more personality and development and the politics subplot just meanders and doesn't add anything really. It just seemed like an attempt to make Adam more interesting but doesn't achieve that.
While it is much better paced than "The Eternity Ring", the story easier to follow and the filming closer to prime 'Foyle's War' than the chaotic nature some of the previous episode had, somehow a more deliberate pace would have worked better with a series where all the story lines are quite complex.
However, the quality of the production values are high. 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 and while the story could have been much better told it still maintains interest.
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 and after the war in a new light. This was a bold move and dealt with a lot of honesty and tact. 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 and Hilda and Arthur are worthy regular characters, if not yet as interesting as Milner (very much missed).
All the supporting cast do a very good job.
In summary, a strong episode if not a 'Foyle's War' high point. 8/10 Bethany Cox