Series Five comes to an end, in some style. For my money this has been the strongest series of Endeavour, every single episode has been of the highest order, and Icarus is no exception to the rule. We've had six very different episodes, last week's espionage thriller was fantastic, this week we see Morse and WPC Trewlove undercover at a Public School.
Another excellent, complex story, with questions asked, questions answered, and many still needing answers. A shock exit for one character which had a strange feeling, felt like there was a lot that could have been done to develop the character, but it had a big effect on the episode, and of course the case will move to the new series. Some great, tense moments, Shirley's encounter with the sinister School boys was a great moment, very sinister.
I have really enjoyed the way each episode has linked, and the story arc, for loyal viewers like myself it's wonderful, allows you to engage more with each episode, I just worry that it isn't so good for the casual viewer.
At the start of the episode I felt a little sad that this run had reached its conclusion, but the announcement of the show's return next year was extremely welcome news. It's a gift for the producers, a new station, new characters, the ideas are endless. The big question for me is will Roger Allam return as Thursday, somehow the show won't be the same without him, although at some point we will have to see Desmond McNutt (Masonic Mysteries,) Morse's old boss.