Keeps up the style of Morse, and one can definitely begin to see his personality resurfacing in his former protégé. Well worth watching, especially for all those who miss Endeavour. The plot is very well constructed, and feels like one of Dexters original books. Lewis is slowly turning into a Norhtern version of Morse, but with a more hands on approach, and he is still forsaking the real ale. This story tells the tale of Jealousy and a group of former friends from one of Oxfords colleges 20 years on from there university days. The murders begin with the death of one of the group on a boat, complex and twisting tale unfolds surrounding the events of now and then. There is a definite gelling of the relationships between the Detectives as they start to work to each others strengths and weaknesses. Viewers will be familiar with the filming style and the advantages taken of Oxfords many beautiful locations and settings. Laurence Fox excels in Whatelys former role of the capable sidekick, and whatley himself seems to be settling nicely into the role of effective and efficient superior.
11 Reviews
complex plot and excellent!
blanche-226 October 2010
I am enjoying Inspector Lewis, Morse's sidekick in the earlier series, older, sadder, wiser, and with a new partner, DS Hathaway (Laurence Fox). This episode is the first of the series, "Whom the Gods Would Destroy." I actually saw some of season 3 first.
Kevin Whately is wonderful as Lewis, still a no-nonsense bloke, now trying to grapple with Diogenes, twice born, the furies, and the Greek alphabet as he comes up against an old college group. When one of the group is murdered, Lewis and Hathaway investigate. What emerges is a very complicated story with lots of twists and turns.
Like the Morse series, the Inspector Lewis series is not for those who don't like their mysteries with depth and that require paying attention. They're also not for the impatient, because all those clues hanging out there won't come together until the end.
This one will keep you guessing until the very end.
Excellent.
Kevin Whately is wonderful as Lewis, still a no-nonsense bloke, now trying to grapple with Diogenes, twice born, the furies, and the Greek alphabet as he comes up against an old college group. When one of the group is murdered, Lewis and Hathaway investigate. What emerges is a very complicated story with lots of twists and turns.
Like the Morse series, the Inspector Lewis series is not for those who don't like their mysteries with depth and that require paying attention. They're also not for the impatient, because all those clues hanging out there won't come together until the end.
This one will keep you guessing until the very end.
Excellent.
Sheer Quality.
Sleepin_Dragon19 March 2020
After a wonderful pilot episode, Lewis returned with a full series, Whom The Gods Destroy is a wonderful episode, one which feels like a direct continuation of the wonderful Morse series.
The story really does make you think, it gets the grey matter working overtime, just as Morse used to. The ending comes as a real surprise, I didn't see that coming.
Top notch acting, Richard Dillane, Anna Massey, Richard Lintern and of course Nicola Redmond.
Was that an in joke from Massey's character about having seen him before, only last week I watched Happy Families.
Excellent, 9/10.
The story really does make you think, it gets the grey matter working overtime, just as Morse used to. The ending comes as a real surprise, I didn't see that coming.
Top notch acting, Richard Dillane, Anna Massey, Richard Lintern and of course Nicola Redmond.
Was that an in joke from Massey's character about having seen him before, only last week I watched Happy Families.
Excellent, 9/10.
Top Quality Entertainment
erh8319 February 2007
From the start, 'Lewis' was utterly commendable. Whately's performance as the newly promoted inspector is as effortless as it is engaging. This opening episode (written by Inspector Morse episode writer Daniel Boyle) manages to balance the suspenseful intrigue with excellent character portrayals, the one not overshadowing the other. As Hathaway, Fox is marvelous. He's clever, knowledgeable, but he can learn a lot from Lewis's experience.
In an age where mindless trite talent (I use the word with a due sense of caution) shows are all the rage, and celebrity culture dominates British television, 'Lewis' is refreshing, high quality entertainment for those preferring not to be brainwashed by junk television.
A thoroughly deserved: 10/10
In an age where mindless trite talent (I use the word with a due sense of caution) shows are all the rage, and celebrity culture dominates British television, 'Lewis' is refreshing, high quality entertainment for those preferring not to be brainwashed by junk television.
A thoroughly deserved: 10/10
Season 1 starts on a high
TheLittleSongbird8 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.
After a promising pilot episode in "Reputation", "Whom the Gods Would Destroy" kicks off the first season and it is a great start. Regarding how it fares in comparison to "Reputation" it is an improvement, with more consistent dialogue and acting. Complaints are very few. Innocent is still not that interesting (Superintendent Strange she ain't) and not easy to warm to, Rebecca Front is a very capable actress deserving of better. Also after the last murder, the fate of the person responsible is not really that buyable for a second.
Most of the acting is fine though, anchored by Kevin Whately and Laurence Fox. Whately is again very good and carries the episode with aplomb, even if Lewis becomes better developed later. 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 is reliably strong as well. The support acting is just as good, with Richard Dillane sinking his teeth into the pretty detestable role of Theodore Platt.
As to be expected, the production values in "Whom the Gods Would Destroy" are of very high quality. It's beautifully shot, 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.
Much of the writing is smart and thoughtful, some lovely droll exchanges with Lewis and Hathaway, some emotional impact and a real effort to tie up everything. The story is once again compelling and while complicated easy to follow with plenty of twists and turns.
All in all, great episode and starts the first season on a high note. 9/10 Bethany Cox
After a promising pilot episode in "Reputation", "Whom the Gods Would Destroy" kicks off the first season and it is a great start. Regarding how it fares in comparison to "Reputation" it is an improvement, with more consistent dialogue and acting. Complaints are very few. Innocent is still not that interesting (Superintendent Strange she ain't) and not easy to warm to, Rebecca Front is a very capable actress deserving of better. Also after the last murder, the fate of the person responsible is not really that buyable for a second.
Most of the acting is fine though, anchored by Kevin Whately and Laurence Fox. Whately is again very good and carries the episode with aplomb, even if Lewis becomes better developed later. 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 is reliably strong as well. The support acting is just as good, with Richard Dillane sinking his teeth into the pretty detestable role of Theodore Platt.
As to be expected, the production values in "Whom the Gods Would Destroy" are of very high quality. It's beautifully shot, 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.
Much of the writing is smart and thoughtful, some lovely droll exchanges with Lewis and Hathaway, some emotional impact and a real effort to tie up everything. The story is once again compelling and while complicated easy to follow with plenty of twists and turns.
All in all, great episode and starts the first season on a high note. 9/10 Bethany Cox
Didn't see that coming
AJ_Blanc31 October 2019
I know it's blasphemy admitting this, but I never watched Inspector Morse prior to getting into this show, but if it's anywhere near as good as this one I will definitely have to check it out.
Having said that, I've liked Inspector Lewis for quite some time, so I went out and bought the first few seasons. So far, it's been a great introduction to the show, however the end of Whom the Gods Would Destroy seemed a bit strange to me. Trying to avoid spoilers, I'll just say that I'm fairly certain the UK has a conspiracy to commit murder charge - a pretty serious crime, and that's exactly what happened in this episode. Three people died due to this premeditation, only one of which whom was actually guilty, and the perpetrator(s) were simply let go because Lewis got too close.
The rest of the episode was great, and keeps you guessing the whole time, but it gets knocked down a few pegs in my book for this strange turn of events.
Having said that, I've liked Inspector Lewis for quite some time, so I went out and bought the first few seasons. So far, it's been a great introduction to the show, however the end of Whom the Gods Would Destroy seemed a bit strange to me. Trying to avoid spoilers, I'll just say that I'm fairly certain the UK has a conspiracy to commit murder charge - a pretty serious crime, and that's exactly what happened in this episode. Three people died due to this premeditation, only one of which whom was actually guilty, and the perpetrator(s) were simply let go because Lewis got too close.
The rest of the episode was great, and keeps you guessing the whole time, but it gets knocked down a few pegs in my book for this strange turn of events.
Intellectual Whodunnit
Hitchcoc1 February 2018
This is about one of those pacts that develop when truly smart and talented people embrace a thrill. Four men are joined by an act and it's Lewis's job to come up with an answer. He and his partner begin to see the pompous intellectuals for what they are. One in particular, confined to a wheelchair because he killed another person in a car crash, is the most formidable. What is interesting is how they root out the suspects. There are some worthy twists in this initial episode which follows Morse and Endeavour.
Lewis.
valstone521 February 2019
I enjoyed this episode, Whatley is doing a great job. He's come into his own. People need to give programs, a chance before downing them. And by the way his name is spelled LEWIS, not Louis. I also like midsomer murders. But i'm not biased.
Highly intriguing
grantss7 October 2022
A great episode of Lewis. It starts with the murder of a man on a houseboat. It is soon clear to Lewis and Hathaway that the a secret society "The Sons of the Twice Born" is somehow connected to the death. They piece together the members of the society but can't work out who did it or why.
When the culprit and motive are revealed it's quite unforeseen and quite a twist. Very complex yet quite understandable.
On the negative side, the conclusion does feel a bit too much like a soft landing. I doubt actual police would have taken such a stance.
Still, a very interesting and enjoyable episode.
When the culprit and motive are revealed it's quite unforeseen and quite a twist. Very complex yet quite understandable.
On the negative side, the conclusion does feel a bit too much like a soft landing. I doubt actual police would have taken such a stance.
Still, a very interesting and enjoyable episode.
Disliked very biased
imofanopinion18 September 2017
Warning: Spoilers
Somehow the ending took away anything that I might have enjoyed watching this one, only my 2nd episode. I love British mysteries but what I totally dislike about this is that he was so forgiving of a woman who caused the death of three people with only one was in fact truly guilty. And yet he did not feel that woman was at fault or find blame with her because he was smitten with her and her looks. If say the wife had been more like the cleaning lady I doubt very much he would have had the same attitude about her being a murderous female. I will never look upon Inspector Louis in the same way. I'm go back to Midsummer are the wonderful very handsome Foyle or even Murdoch. Sadly it is amazing how one simple episode can change your mind about a person even if it is just a TV character
Lead Lewis condones revenge killing . . . not so much and NOT Endeavour
jknousak14 May 2020
Warning: Spoilers
Direction and plot didn't work for me, nor did characters Lewis and Hathaway. Mostly, very-much disliked Lewis condoning the revenge kill supposedly due to his wife's death at the hands of Who Knows. Not for me, I'll go back to the 60s and Morse then . . .
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