For me the underwritten Joan Thursday separation from her parents and Morse's promotion difficulties were a narrative drag.
Now that's behind us and seems the show moves forward with the elements we like from s1&2. S2 finale, Neverland, had burnt a bridge that a viewer had to wonder how Morse and Thursday could carry on with their colleagues. It's TV so we make allowances and put up with 8 sub par eps. At this writing I've seen thru s7 and the quality is consistently good to VG.
Now that's behind us and seems the show moves forward with the elements we like from s1&2. S2 finale, Neverland, had burnt a bridge that a viewer had to wonder how Morse and Thursday could carry on with their colleagues. It's TV so we make allowances and put up with 8 sub par eps. At this writing I've seen thru s7 and the quality is consistently good to VG.