Inspector Lewis (TV Series) Expiation (2007) User Reviews

Could be finding its form

[pawebster · 7/10 · 13 March 2007]

This is the best of the three episodes in the series. The story is absorbing, although the plot is one of those that depends on a witness withholding vital information from the police for no apparent reason. Had that not happened, the whole thing could have been over in a few minutes. Lewis and Hathaway also fail to press certain points which equally could have shortened the story immensely.

Nevertheless, it is coming together, and the relationship between Lewis and Hathaway finally seems to be gelling. Their superior, however, is getting sillier, moving rapidly towards the old cliché of "You're off the case!". Why do these TV police superiors persistently fail to notice who actually solves all the numerous murders on their patch?

There are some strange features. The producers are continuing with the idea that Lewis must have a fleeting love interest, as Morse did, but they have not got this right yet. Lewis' conduct is not credible in this case, but I can't say more without giving a spoiler. Another weird part is the amazingly unconcerned behaviour of the children in the case.

All in all, though, it's fun. I hope there will be more.

lots of twists and turns in this one

[blanche-2 · 9/10 · 10 November 2010]

"Expiation" is a really excellent mystery in the Inspector Lewis series. When a woman is found hanged in her home, it's called a suicide, but is it? The investigation leads Lewis to a mysterious woman, homosexuality, wife swapping, and an old murder.

The connection between Hathaway and Lewis is very strong in this, and brings some humor to the episode, particularly when they are being admonished in front of their commander.

This one will keep you guessing and interested for the entire episode. I am really enjoying this series immensely.

Highly recommended.

A Hideous Undertone

[Hitchcoc · 8/10 · 1 February 2018]

It think I was more captivated by this episode than the previous two (never saw the pilot). This includes a set of very strange characters, especially families that carried out the weirdest of arrangements, a dying professor who is full of secrets, and an act that defies the imagination. Lewis and Hathaway need to return time after time to the same figures to get an iota of truth from them. Of course, that's the way these shows always are, but it seems things are much more guarded here. It's an incredibly harsh effort where Lewis acts in a hateful way at times. Since these guys are rebels, we must again have the tired business with superiors wanting more protocol than result.

A Tense Episode

[kitsilanoca-1 · 10/10 · 7 July 2008]

I just watched this episode last night, and found it to be the best of the three so far. I found the plot very complicated, so I had to keep concentrating on the screen and not let my mind wander: this is something I expect a good mystery drama to do with me. I found myself having to think through each character very carefully to come up with whodunit, but the one I thought most likely wasn't, so it satisfied me there as well by tricking my own deductions as well. That and the fact that after the show, which I had be watching in bed, I had a very stiff neck; a sign that I was taut all through the show as it kept me on edge. My parents phoned me after wards and both said that they really enjoyed it as well. So that is the opinion of three people!

Mystery as fine, richly filmed, well-written drama

[minyeesr · 10/10 · 19 October 2009]

I believe that The Inspector Lewis Series has already equaled and may surpass The Inspector Morse Series -- which was one of my favorite mystery series of all time.

I had hoped that Colin Dexter's creation of a detective working in the village of the Ford of the Ox would survive either or both Dexter's and / or John Thaw's life. Thanks to the imagination and writing, directorial, cinematographic and acting talent of the "team" or "company" who have given us this series sequel deserve high praise.

As a writer myself, I don't usually write reviews. But reading the imbecilic review of someone who cannot appreciate this series only publicly displays his soaring IQ of 6.8. I guess some of us have to be outrageous to be noticed.

A small example can speak volumes of the talent here: Laurence Fox's gentle touching of Kevin Whately's hand moments before an unseen explanation to a school master.

I hope this series has a very long run, and when Kevin Whately's days are, sadly, over that another series, The Inspector James Hathaway Series will sally forth. All it would take then, as now, is another great and wonderful team of fine talent.

Min Yee, 71, retired Bellevue, WA

I watch this over and over for the John Wood and William Houston scen

[rasley · 10/10 · 13 July 2020]

Extraordinary-- when "De Lasiter" and "Stoker" confront each other decades after the former ruined the latter's life. It is breathtakingly written and acted.

The rest of the episode is good too, but this scene destroys.

Much Sadness in the Marsh

[frukuk · 8/10 · 30 March 2023]

Such a wonderfully sad episode.

As another reviewer has said, the scene between Edward le Passiter (beautifully played by John Wood) and George Stoker, is incredibly awfully heartbreaking. Indeed, the scene in which Hathaway encourages Edward le Passiter to tell all he knows, is also beautifully written.

But despite all the sadness, there were several occasions on which I laughed out loud. Even though it's perhaps too well telegraphed, the scene in which Hathaway calls Lewis "Daddy", is one such occasion. And Lewis telling the child witness words to the effect of "all is not as it seems" is another.

While I can see the validity of some of the criticisms of other reviewers, I found this to be a very enjoyable episode. Perhaps because I was so absorbed in it, I didn't question the believably of some of it? But it is so perfectly paced and so gently told, I wholeheartedly recommend you watch it.

One final, random thought: it felt almost like this is a re-imagining of Morse (the series), rather than a sequel. Using the template of a detective duo in Oxford, where "town meets gown", but with Lewis and Hathaway in place of Morse and Lewis.

A decent early episode.

[Sleepin_Dragon · 6/10 · 9 April 2020]

I tried the whole way through Lewis not to compare it with Morse, but it's hard not to. I adored Lewis, but always thought it needed a little time to find its groove, as with the previous episode I felt it was ok, but not a patch on the episodes that would follow, the dynamic between Lewis and Hathaway isn't quite there yet, and the story was a bit all over the place. It boasts an incredible cast, but some of them are just wasted, such as Vincent Regan.

As it progresses it gets better, and the ending is fantastic, very dramatic and nail biting. James Wilby is the standout, but casting directors were guilty of using him in similar roles.

I enjoyed it, but when I compare this to episodes from the third and fourth series it's not quite there yet. 6/10.

Good

[hazangel-89910 · 9/10 · 16 November 2021]

I found this to be an interesting episode although I never really understood the old man that was dying's role. I think I missed something in translation. I will say this after every episode. I adore Hathaway!!! He is amazing. Love everything about him, his serious side and fun quirky side. When he pretended to be a couple with Lewis I laughed so loud. The comment about the shape of his face was epic as well. He is just a treat to watch and can do no wrong in my eyes.

Contrived and clumsy but okay

[grantss · 6/10 · 9 October 2022]

An incredibly postive woman with a seemingly perfect family and life commits suicide. However, things don't appear so cut and dried to Lewis and Hathaway and they dig deeper.

Not a great episode of Lewis. It started well enough but the further into the episode you go the more contrived and implausible it becomes.

It also feels quite clumsy, like the writer didn't really have the whole thing mapped out beforehand and was just winging it as far as the plot went.

Adding to this clumsiness we have Lewis demonstrating a Morse-like trait of dating someone who could easily be the murderer. That hardly ever worked out well for Morse...

To top it all, the writer felt it was time for Lewis's boss to be hardnosed so we have her chewing out Lewis and Hathaway for arbitrary things, including how they solved the crime!

Overall it's okay but nothing more than that.

The script is So Bad.

[galaxywest · 24 April 2014]

C'mon. This is really so poorly written that it's laughable. There is absolutely no "unfolding" of a plot whatsoever, just gibberish until the end when it's, "well, he/she did it." Oh, OK. In Morse there was brilliant writing with believable characters, dark old secrets that were revealed intelligently and an ending that made you feel like you'd spent 100 minutes on something worthwhile. And then there's Superintendent Innocent who is some kind of unnecessary cranky middle-aged nincompoop or something -- it's: "let's have an interfering superior like the American shows do" by the producers. Zero subtlety and zero caring about anything that's going on. What a waste of talent -- all done in by silly drivel writing.

HILARIOUS

[hazangel-89910 · 9/10 · 16 November 2021]

Hathaway is officially my crush. He is so adorable and I know Lewis thinks the world of him!!! Such a great partnership. I'm still watching but so far enjoy this episode. I wonder if Lewis will get a love interest??? 💕💕💕

Not as good as the previous episodes, still good

[TheLittleSongbird · 7/10 · 9 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.

"Expiation" is a good episode with a lot to recommend. Personally think however that it is the weakest episode of Season 1 ("Whom the Gods Would Destroy" was the best), with some glaring problems, but it is not a bad episode, far from it. Lewis' conduct is highly questionable throughout. It was a turn off for the child characters to be pretty unconcerned. Innocent was not an interesting, well-written or likable character, Rebecca Front deserved better than this. A few things could have been explained a little bit better. Lastly, to me, the identity of the murderer was too obvious too early, which was a shame after the murderers were so shocking in the previous episode.

However, the acting is fine, 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 too.

As to be expected, the production values in "Expiation" 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 and some emotional impact. The story starts off promisingly, with a lot of twists and turns and tension, the climax is pretty nail-biting.

In conclusion, good but could have been better. 7/10 Bethany Cox

too much left unexplained

[bernardohanian · 5/10 · 2 January 2016]

Can anyone explain to me why La Plassiter knew everything he did, and what his relationship was to Alison/Rachel? And what Jane Templeton's motives were for confronting her, other than her supposed jealousy about the difference(s) in their lifestyles? Why was David so much richer than Hugh if they were partners in the same optometry practice? Why did Templeton show up at the practice that afternoon? The writing was tighter than in the previous two episodes, and the portraits of the people's lives more finely drawn. And yes, the relationship between Morse and Hathaway is developing well. But so much of this episode didn't make sense -- add to the list Innocent's ire after they solved a double murder.

the worst one so far

[ptay1685 · 2/10 · 5 March 2008]

Very unimpressed with this episode, which is the worst of the three so far. No where near the standard of Morse.

The dialogue for all the characters was awful. None of the characters seemed real - they say the oddest things for no apparent reason. Its almost impossible to know what the characters are thinking or feeling, or what their motivations are, so I felt disconnected almost all the time. Its as if someone had snipped the various characters out of previous Morse shows, and hoped they would somehow gel. This is an example of the case where the whole is much less than the sum of the parts. The La Plassiter character especially looked like a Morse cut and paste. Someone seems to have said "hey, if we put in a crusty Oxford academic, like so many of the Morse shows had, then well have a winner", but the character just looks like he's in the wrong episode. Even Lewis himself has trouble justifying why he should take any notice of this character, who is initially at least seemingly unconnected to the case.

And the plot - as bad as the characters are the plot is much worse. None of it is in the least bit plausible, and its full of annoying idiotic plot devices to explain why Lewis is unable to solve a very obvious crime. I wouldn't be surprised if the author was high on something when they wrote this. The Stoker character is obviously the result of a desperate attempt by the writer to justify the inclusion of Le Plassiter, and to explain why he does not provide the information which if he did would have solved the case in five minutes. Worst of all is the way Lewis performs a very half-hearted investigation, hardly asking any useful questions, and cutting interviews short in order to keep the shaky plot from coming to a complete halt. Then there is the childishly obvious plot device of the substitute pathologist, who just happens to be incompetent, and once again allows the fragile plot to limp along for an extra hour.

The relationship between Lewis and the next door neighbour is really badly handled, and never seems believable either to myself as the viewer nor even to some of the characters.

One of the fundamental aspects of the plot, the wife swap, is completely ridiculous. Its simply a plot device, not a real situation, and the script fails to explain why it took so long for Lewis and co to find out that the two couples were not really married. Is it really that easy to forge documents? Could Rachel Hayward become Rachel Mallory that easily? Once again once Lewis learned about the marriage swap, then he came much closer to solving the case, and this had to be delayed.

The Lewis character seemed really strained and shallow in this episode. There is less to like about him in each subsequent episode. The character has too few likable qualities, and whilst I think very highly of Kevin Whately as an actor, I think the Lewis character needs some work to develop more positive character traits. Sarcasm and complaining get old very quickly.

If this serious does not improve dramatically I think it likely I will stop watching it altogether.

Thanks goodness we still have Morse (with Lewis).

The Almost every single aspect of the plot if far fetched.

Just good enough to watch another episode.

[vitoscotti · 5/10 · 3 November 2023]

Been five years since I watched an "Inspector Lewis". This one was better than the last but not by a lot. The story was very suspenseful laden with holes, coincidences, and full of unlikable characters. Clues were woven together for a decent buildup leading to an unsatisfying ending. Lewis and Hathaway both are quite bland not having much charisma.

A major problem I had with the episode was how graphically gory it was of Allison's crime. Then Lewis describes the lunatic's actions as "done out of love and kindness.".

Lovely female actresses were a plus. But, the casting of Rebecca Front as Ch. Supt. Innocent is dreadful. The confrontations with Lewis pale in believability to those of classic detective shows. The heated battling with superiors is integral to a good series when chosen to be used.

I'll watch a few more episodes to see if the writing picks up to the "Morse" quality level.