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Inspector Lewis

The Indelible Stain

  • Episode aired Jul 29, 2012
  • TV-PGTV-PG
  • 1h 32m
IMDb RATING
7.6/10
440
YOUR RATING
S6.E4
  • S6
  • E4
All episodes
All
  • Cast & crew
  • User reviews
  • Trivia
  • IMDbPro
Pippa Bennett-Warner in Lewis (2006)
  • Crime
  • Drama
  • Mystery
A visiting lecturer at the college of criminology who holds controversial theories on genetic predisposition toward criminal behavior is found hanged.A visiting lecturer at the college of criminology who holds controversial theories on genetic predisposition toward criminal behavior is found hanged.A visiting lecturer at the college of criminology who holds controversial theories on genetic predisposition toward criminal behavior is found hanged.
IMDb RATING
7.6/10
440
YOUR RATING
  • Director
    • Tim Fywell
  • Writers
    • Colin Dexter(inspired by the Inspector Morse novels of)
    • Simon Block(screenplay)
  • Stars
    • Harriet Madeley
    • Richard Southgate
    • David Soul
Top credits
  • Director
    • Tim Fywell
  • Writers
    • Colin Dexter(inspired by the Inspector Morse novels of)
    • Simon Block(screenplay)
  • Stars
    • Harriet Madeley
    • Richard Southgate
    • David Soul
  • See production, box office & company info
    • 5User reviews
    • 3Critic reviews
  • See production, box office & company info
  • See more at IMDbPro
  • Photos

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    Top cast

    Edit
    Harriet Madeley
    • Emily Robinsonas Emily Robinson
    Richard Southgate
    Richard Southgate
    • Will Pascoeas Will Pascoe
    David Soul
    David Soul
    • Paul Yellandas Paul Yelland
    David Calder
    David Calder
    • Andrew Liptonas Andrew Lipton
    Kevin Whately
    Kevin Whately
    • DI Robert Lewisas DI Robert Lewis
    Pippa Bennett-Warner
    Pippa Bennett-Warner
    • Nina Clemensas Nina Clemens
    • (as Pippa Bennet-Warner)
    Clare Holman
    Clare Holman
    • Dr Laura Hobsonas Dr Laura Hobson
    Jason Durr
    • DI Alan Petersonas DI Alan Peterson
    Jake Curran
    Jake Curran
    • Adam Pettleas Adam Pettle
    Laurence Fox
    Laurence Fox
    • DS James Hathawayas DS James Hathaway
    Nancy Carroll
    • Anne Randas Anne Rand
    Patrick Baladi
    Patrick Baladi
    • Robert Fraseras Robert Fraser
    Nina Sosanya
    Nina Sosanya
    • Lilian Hunteras Lilian Hunter
    Sian Webber
    • Myra Barnetas Myra Barnet
    Rebecca Front
    Rebecca Front
    • Ch. Supt. Innocentas Ch. Supt. Innocent
    Kemi-Bo Jacobs
    Kemi-Bo Jacobs
    • DC Lockhartas DC Lockhart
    Alton Letto
    • Gurdip Sohalas Gurdip Sohal
    Huw Higginson
    Huw Higginson
    • Stephen Pettleas Stephen Pettle
    • Director
      • Tim Fywell
    • Writers
      • Colin Dexter(inspired by the Inspector Morse novels of)
      • Simon Block(screenplay)
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro
    • All cast & crew

    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      The house belonging to Professor Lipton was also used in "Midsomer Murders." It was used as the Farmer House in "The Sicilian Defence" (S15E05), filmed approximately 7 months before this Lewis episode.
    • Goofs
      Nina receives racist abusive text messages, and says does not know who they are from as the number is 'withheld'. Unlike voice calls, it is not possible on UK networks to withhold the sender's number from text messages, unless you are using a commercial bulk text service.

      In any event, the police have powers to easily trace anonymous senders, and this is never mentioned.
    • Quotes

      DS James Hathaway: [Rhetorically] What's a clue but a mistake by another name?

    • Soundtracks
      Inspector Lewis Main Theme
      (uncredited)

      Composed by Barrington Pheloung

    User reviews5

    Review
    Top review
    9/10
    Generally the best episode of Season 6
    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.

    'Lewis' was a show that started off promisingly with the pilot and the first season, while getting even better with a more settled Season 2 where the show hit its stride. Season 3 was more of a mixed bag (not a bad season at all, but started a little disappointingly, though better than reputed, with one of the show's generally lesser episodes "Allegory of Love"). Season 4 generally was one of the better seasons of 'Lewis', with all the episodes very good to great, and Season 5 was solid with the only disappointment being "The Mind Has Mountains".

    Season 6 started off very well with "The Soul of Genius", while "Generation of Vipers" was even better. Unfortunately, "Fearful Symmetry" was very disappointing and has always been one of my least favourite 'Lewis' episodes. On the other side of the coin, fortunately the season gets back on track with a great finale and its best episode "The Indelible Stain".

    To me the identity of the murderer was not the biggest of surprises (not obvious as such but once things were narrowed down it became more guessable) and the "books are bad for your health" comment is an absolutely outrageous statement even for Lewis.

    As always, 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. 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. Like too that he is becoming more of a dominating lead character, even if occasionally he shows some less likable traits like the odd bit of rudeness. Clare Holman adds a lot, and Innocent has been better written over time. The supporting cast are all strong and believable with engaging and pleasingly eccentric if not exactly likable characters, David Soul makes a good impression even with his screen time being quite short.

    Production values are of very high quality. It's beautifully shot as always, 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.

    Writing is smart and thought-provoking mostly and the story is gripping with enough twists and turns to keep one guessing until all is revealed. While the identity of the murderer wasn't so shocking, the motive and the climax weren't so easy to figure out, a good thing. Lewis' minor subplot with the fear of dentists is handled well and one who also hates the dentist (like me, though for different reasons other than toothache) can relate to him.

    In conclusion, great episode and the best episode of the sixth season. 9/10 Bethany Cox
    helpful•7
    9
    • TheLittleSongbird
    • Jun 20, 2017

    Details

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    • Release date
      • July 29, 2012 (United States)
    • Country of origin
      • United Kingdom
    • Language
      • English
    • Filming locations
      • Oxford Union, Frewin Court, Oxford, Oxfordshire, England, UK
    • Production companies
      • ITV Studios
      • Masterpiece
      • The Paperback Company Films
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Technical specs

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    • Runtime
      1 hour 32 minutes
    • Color
      • Color
    • Aspect ratio
      • 16:9 HD

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