Loved 'Foyle's War' and was immediately hooked when first getting into it. Love it even more now, on re-watches things that didn't quite make sense at first are clearer and things that were not noticed or appreciated before are and much admired. Everything that came over as brilliant on first viewings still are brilliant on re-watches.
After a wonderful first episode "The German Woman", 'Foyle's War' continues to go strong with the every bit as good "The White Feather". As said in my review for "The German Woman", there was the thought that it was hard to get into at first. Again, on re-watch there was much more appreciation had for how well established the character development, tone and themes are for so early on. The story is a complicated one but also a very compelling and clever one where the surprises keep coming, the ending is a surprising one and somewhat sad, try not to have sympathy with murders but sort of did here especially with a victim so detestable.
Always have admired the visual detail that went into 'Foyle's War' and how high quality the production values are, with beautiful costumes, the evocative way the characters are made up, the look of the houses and cars, pretty locations and authentic-looking scenery. The music is in keeping with the mood and doesn't overpower the drama while still making an impact. Schumann's "Traumerai" is used to poignant effect, if not quite as effectively as Chopin's C sharp minor Nocturne did in "The German Woman" did.
Writing is intelligent, sophisticated and thought-provoking, establishing Foyle's personality with so much depth already and providing some tense and heart-tugging moments. The story is complicated, with a lot of strands that requires full attention, but clever and from start to finish intriguing. It paces itself deliberately but with so much going on it's never once dull.
One thing that wasn't picked up by me but now is and admired hugely is the tackling of what was seen as truths but some really misconceptions and seeing British during the war in a new light. This was a bold move and dealt with with a lot of honesty and tact. The character tensions were also handled very well and added a lot of intrigue. A wonderful job is done with Milner, whose story really resonates touchingly, while the scenes between Foyle and Spencer are riveting and has degrees of tension.
Michael Kitchen is truly superb as Foyle, subtle, intensely determined, commanding and above all human. One of the most interesting television detectives there's ever been and Kitchen has rarely been better. Honeysuckle Weeks is charming and loyal and Anthony Howell is wonderful with his best scenes moving one to tears. Milner's wife's struggles to cope are handled tactfully too and are easy to relate to with such a big lifestyle change.
Charles Dance and Maggie Steed give brilliant supporting turns, Steed wrings every ounce of juice out of one of the show's most detestable characters and Dance in particular oozes charisma.
In summary, another wonderful episode. 10/10 Bethany Cox
