Rating summary

Movie		3.5
Video		4.0
Audio		4.0
Extras		0.0
Overall		4.0

Endeavour: Series 2 Blu-ray Movie Review

Reviewed by Brian Orndorf July 10, 2014

As “Endeavour” enters its second series, it faces a unique challenge. Beginning life as a prequel to the “Inspector Morse” program, “Endeavour” is now forced to find its own identity, having coasted on nostalgia alone for the initial episodes. It must become its own creation of mystery and drama. Although it doesn’t hit any particularly potent creative highs in “Series 2,” the show doesn’t continue on as originally designed, reaching beyond the confines of procedural entertainment to explore the titular character as he wrestles with physical and mental trauma, while finding a love interest for this go-around of crime-solving. It’s a needed expansion of personality that helps to navigate the knotty scheme of suspects the production works overtime to introduce. It’s an overall softening that encourages investment in this standoffish character, making him more than just whirring mind.

What’s interesting about “Series 2” is the effort to connect all four episodes into one viewing event, with the production building a world for Endeavour Morse (Shaun Evans), not just setting up disparate cases for him and partner Fred Thursday (Roger Allam) to solve in 90 minutes. It’s not a sophisticated bridging of episodes, but the Oxford setting feels smaller this time around, with events occurring in early episodes recalled in latter ones, while an overall arc of murder is collected throughout the entire run, paid off in the fourth chapter. It’s ambitious, not groundbreaking, but different for a show that prides itself on one bite at a time, taking the whodunits as they come. The sense of enlargement helps with character development, as “Series 2” orders up love and sex for Morse, while Thursday finds a crisis of the heart after encountering an old wartime mistress. Performances are wonderful, usual for this type of British entertainment, but glimpses of life normally situated behind the concrete wall of duty give the cast more to work with, and they meet the challenge with aplomb.

As with last season, “Series 2” has it winners and clunkers. Perhaps most problematic is the third episode, “Sway,” which introduces heavy stylistics to snap the program out of its distanced approach. The installment is also the most grabby when it comes to excessive supporting characters, trying everything it can to blur the identity of the killer, creating a cluster of tedious personalities that steal valuable screen time away from the stars. Fascinating are Argento-esque touches that emphasize menacing black-gloved killers and macabre weaponry, but “Series 2” doesn’t have the energy to follow through on this promising development, content to tease and back away.

Episodes

Disc 1

“Trove” (89:27)

Returning for duty after recovering from injuries sustained during his last investigation, Morse is hesitant, uneasy around the violence of Oxford. Providing support is Thursday, who’s thrilled to have his partner back, but unsure of his capabilities in his current shell-shocked state. However, little time is wasted on the reunion, with a suicide, disappearance, and a robbery testing Morse with a complicated web of deception from a variety of characters. Chasing the clues and interviewing suspects, Morse and Thursday wade into the culture shift of 1966, treating burgeoning feminist Kitty Batten (Jessie Buckley), model Diana Day (Jessica Ellerby), and businessman Val Todd (David Westhead) carefully. And while Morse tries to settle into his old life, he finds a friendly face in neighbor Monica (Shvorne Marks), who becomes a caretaker to the fractured detective as he works up the courage to trust his instincts once again.

“Nocturne” (90:42)

During an average day inside the Oxford Museum, respected genealogist Adrian Weiss is believed to be murdered by an obscure weapon, with the only possible witnesses being a gaggle of young girls on a school trip. As Morse and Thursday begin their investigation, one of the teenagers goes missing, complicating an already confounding mystery. Trying to maintain a professional edge, Morse is haunted by strange visions of a ghostly figure, messing with his normally razor sharp faculties. Trying to decipher the social activities of the girls, the detectives engage in a pursuit of the paranormal, only to greet a crushing reality. And Morse finds himself requiring Monica’s services as a medical professional, though his ways with casual deception to help a pal with a double date threatens his burgeoning relationship with the interested neighborhood.

Disc 2

“Sway” (89:07)

A serial killer has come to Oxford, targeting lonely housewives on the hunt for a special sexual thrill, strangling victims with a stocking. Questioning the staff of a local department store, Morse discovers an idiosyncratic group living their own workplace drama, with a competing crime of theft complicating the investigation. Thursday receives a unique jolt when he reunites with an Italian woman he once was romantically involved with during WWII, churning up dormant feelings that challenge his happiness with his current domestic situation, about to celebrate his 25th wedding anniversary with his wife. And Morse, finally figuring out he needs a little positive energy, engages in a sexual relationship with Monica, brightening his life of solitude.

“Neverland” (90:50)

When a journalist turns up dead, involved in some type of train accident, Morse and Thursday commence a line of questioning that leads to testy personalities, including a ventriloquist, while a distraction in a physically abused boy comes into view. After a routine check-up with his doctor, Thursday discovers a blood pressure issue that makes him a candidate for retirement, though he’s unable to process life after his law enforcement duties. And Morse, embarking on a domesticated relationship with Monica, is witness to another round of violence, testing his commitment to the job as he’s subjected to a taste of his own medicine.

Endeavour: Series 2 Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

The AVC encoded image (1.78:1 aspect ratio) presentation is at its finest when exposed to as much light as possible. Fine detail in these illuminated sequences is terrific, achieving a real sense of skin and hair through impressive HD-shot sharpness, while costuming carries a fibrous quality that's just as appealing. Sets and locations are explored in full and equally pauseable. Blacks are strong but not always up to snuff, losing some frame information to crush issues, but it's a rare event. Colors are bold, with sharp primaries and a welcoming read on browns and grays, salvaging drab law enforcement outfits. Skintones are natural.

Endeavour: Series 2 Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

The 2.0 DTS-HD MA sound mix carries itself with little unpredictability, keeping to a contained but expressive listening experience that's respectful of the actors. Dialogue exchanges are the top priority, and with crisp definition, it's easy to follow accents and detective banter, with voices retaining depth and emotion, though rarely does the show work itself into a lather. Scoring is practically non-stop, with a thin synth presence that's never intrusive but never remarkable either. Atmospherics are acceptable, with distinct life allowed for outdoor excursions, and the rare burst of violence secures intensity without spilling into distortion.

Endeavour: Series 2 Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

There is no supplementary material on these discs.

Endeavour: Series 2 Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

"Endeavour: Series 2" is perhaps a step down from its introductory year, introducing a flow to the episodes, but a little too concerned with keeping the audience guessing, which tends to dilute the shock of reveals. It's still strong work, engaging and dramatically reliable, and fans should be able to slip back into the puzzling without worry.