Lovejoy (TV Series) To Sleep No More (1986) User Reviews

"Copyist! They're only a forger when they're caught."

[bensonmum2 · 8/10 · 22 October 2019]

When a local forger (I mean copyist) dies, his widow seeks Lovejoy's assistance in retrieving a stolen silver snuff box. The box is a worthless copy, so why would anyone want to steal it? Lovejoy discovers the box may be the key to valuable cache of antiques.

If someone were to ask me for an episode that sums up what I love about Lovejoy, I might pick To Sleep No More. The mystery is good and, as a viewer, we're allowed to play along. If you're paying attention, it's not too difficult to figure out the solution, but it's the journey that matters. The episode takes its time to tell the story - there's no rush here. We're treated to pub scenes, English countryside scenes, and posh dinner party scenes. Throw in some comedy, a bit of history, and secret treasure vault, and To Sleep No More has it all. We also get to see many of the different aspects of the Lovejoy character, from the rascally conniver who's taken advantage of an unsuspecting (but not undeserving) buyer to the benevolent do-gooder disguised as a priest in his efforts to help a widow. I don't think I've written much about Ian McShane's acting, but he's capable of playing the many facets of Lovejoy with equal aplomb. He's really good in To Sleep No More.

There are still a bunch of episodes that I need to rewatch, but I can't imagine To Sleep No More won't make my "Best of" list when I'm finished.

8/10

Very sweet

[keysam-02610 · 8/10 · 3 May 2024]

This is a very sweet episode because basically the only reason Lovejoy gets involved is to help out the widow of Sam, a copyist (forger) he admired, who has been left virtually penniless by his sudden death. All she has is a silver snuff box which looks good and which the lady loves because it was a gift from her husband, but which Lovejoy has to tell her is one Sam made, not a 'real' one.

This much loved item is stolen, as are two further boxes from the shop of one of Lovejoy's antique dealer friends and the link is a priest of all things. Lovejoy managed to track the culprit down and finds him to be a well-known ne-er do well, recently out of prison.

From there the plot expands to involve a much richer widow, this one of a predatory nature, and an insurance scam.

An excellent story.

To Sleep No More

[Prismark10 · 6/10 · 1 August 2018]

Dodgy priests and Shughie Mcfee feature in this episode.

Sam Wendell on his way to meet Lovejoy dies of a heart attack in a cricket field just as Gimbert is about to get his 50.

Wendell was an antiques forger who was seemingly being chased by a priest who is also stealing snuff boxes.

The fake priest is an antiques crook just released from prison. Lovejoy finds out that Wendell left behind clues to a hidden loot and an insurance scam where antiques were reputedly destroyed. After the insurance payout they were marked for sale to buyers from the USA.

Another enjoyable story with Lady Felsham involved in the mystery as well. It is nice to see how some of the antiques dealers stick with Lovejoy when an unhappy customer accuses Lovejoy of ripping him off and then turns violent.