Life Born of Fire

Several other posters on this site did not care for this entry into the Lewis series, but although I figured it out, I did like it. Far-fetched, maybe, but still a neat twist.

Lewis and Hathaway are investigating the suicide of a young man, who may have been driven to his act. He was gay and was associated with a now dissolved group called "The Garden." When there are two actual murders, Lewis feels that this now defunct group is somehow the cause.

The case involves homophobes at the university against the gays, a priest who is an outcast but Lewis doesn't know why, a lover of the suicide victim who has disappeared, and strange messages that pop up at the suicide and murder scenes. The case also involves Hathaway, Lewis' partner, who knew the victim. Lewis eventually has to ask Hathaway an uncomfortable question.

I like the Lewis series and can't wait to see more.

I know Britain's vast pool of TV drama character actors re-appear all the time as different characters in various series, but personally I take the view that if an actor is distinctive and idiosyncratic, they should not appear in episodes of the same series or related ones such as, here, Morse and Lewis as different characters.

In this Lewis episode, Lewis decides to try having an allotment to grow vegetables, and the man he sees about it is Mr Cooper played by David Ryall. There is no connection between the character and the plot. I happen to have watched this episode (january 2011) the same evening, when both were shown one after the other on TV, as the Morse episode Driven To SDistraction, where the same actor appears, and meets Lewis as well as Morse, but there he is playing a totally different character. Given that the two series are based in Oxford. and other characters like Morse's boss reappear but are not in every episode, we should be able to expect that a familiar face is the same person, at least unless they are heavily disguised by makeup and different performances. Ryall was clearly only made up as "himself" and not asked to give anything but his usual performance of an Englishman his age.

Both pof these are the usual interesting episodes, separated by years, and the colourful backgrounds with a city full of people are done well in both with this exception. It is just a shame if even years later a distinctive face recurs like this but as a totally different person.

With props to CRYING GAME you can tell from the script that the writers were pleased with themselves but here they earned it. Best of season.

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.

Although 'Lewis' did start off promisingly it was Season 2 where it hit its stride and things felt more settled. In my review for my overall overview of the show, there was mention of "Life Born of Fire" being a particularly strong episode. On re-watch it doesn't fare quite as good and for me no longer a highlight, "And the Moonbeams Kiss the Sea" and "Music to Die For" are much better Season 2 episodes. It is still an impressive episode with a lot of what makes 'Lewis' such a pleasure evident, and the character of Innocent is an improvement on before and has more to so.

The killer is very much guessable halfway through, as well as their motives and past. The ending, while with some tension, is rather far-fetched too.

On the other hand, the acting is fine, anchored by Kevin Whately and Laurence Fox. Whately is again very good and carries the episode with aplomb, advantaged by that Lewis is much more developed and as said he has more development. Clare Holman adds a lot. 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.

Production values are of very high quality. It's beautifully shot (some of the best of the show at this point), 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, will probably not see Stravinsky "The Firebird" the same again due to the haunting utilization.

Much of the writing is smart and thoughtful, some lovely droll exchanges with Lewis and Hathaway and some emotional impact. The story draws one right in and never lets go, with gripping twists and turns. There is also a real effort to properly develop all the ideas introduced rather than leaving questions in the balance. The characters are well written and engaging and the murders are pretty creepy. The support acting is very good.

In summary, impressive but not as good on re-watch. 8/10 Bethany Cox

Not Inspector Morse. But nearly. The "Inspector Lewis" series continues at a strong pace. The duo of Kevin Whateley and Laurence Fox as the two detectives of the Thames Valley Police in Oxford is a winning combination. Like the Morse series, the producers/directors of the films go for the cerebral, the literary, the intellectual communities (no poor folks here!), but all this adds a certain class to the art (or science) of murder. In this episode, the writers drew heavily from both religious and mythological sources. Set in/around/about Oxford University doesn't hurt either (although one begins to wonder if there is any one to be left alive in the city after this series finishes!).

In this episode, too, the "Is Hathaway Gay" question comes to the front and the issue is handled well (you have to see the episode to know the answer!). The relationship between the two policemen and within their police ensemble makes the series move along with continuity, excitement, and curiosity. We've only seen the first couple of seasons, but apparently there are plenty yet to be aired. It's a good series and it seems no one does a police procedural with the air and the class that the Brits do! Rule Britannia!