Rating summary

Movie		4.0
Video		4.0
Audio		4.5
Extras		0.0
Overall		4.0

Inspector Lewis: Series 7 Blu-ray Movie Review

Reviewed by Brian Orndorf December 17, 2014

When we last left Detective Inspector Robert Lewis (Kevin Whatley), he entered retirement, shutting down decades of police service to live a life of love and leisure with his girlfriend, forensic pathologist Dr. Laura Hobson (Clare Holman). The last episode of the previous season almost felt like a series finale, putting its lead character out to pasture as Detective Sergeant James Hathaway (Laurence Fox) was promoted to Detective Inspector, thus paving the way for some type of spin-off following the icier partner as he takes over all criminal investigations. “Inspector Lewis: Series 7” thankfully reinstates the old dynamic between the cops, with all teases pointing to the conclusion of the show shooed away for this cycle of three episodes, quickly returning to Oxford evildoing with particularly educated suspects.

While old faces remain, including Chief Superintendent Jean Innocent (Rebecca Front), a new cast member joins the team for “Series 7.” Taking Hathaway’s place on the law enforcement totem pole is DS Lizzie Maddox (Angela Griffin), an overwhelmed cop struggling to warm up her new DI whose humorlessness frustrates the new hire. Their frosty interplay is only truly explored in the first episode, “Entry Wounds,” but Maddox plays an important role throughout the season, adding tension to investigative routine and challenging Hathaway on his loner ways, with the DI forced to oversee his own DS, finding the responsibility crowding his style. Maddox also breaks up the predictability of the show (though I doubt superfans would ever complain about repetition), creating a spoiler presence for Lewis, who’s asked to return to duty, but doesn’t immediately know how he’ll fit in with this new dynamic. It’s a small deviation from the norm, but welcome, freshening up whatever staleness has lingered since the last series.

Episode quality ranges, but it’s obvious that “Inspector Lewis” is at its best when focused on the interplay between Hathaway and Lewis, taking in their muted but strong bond, hearing banter about the case at hand and fragments of their personal lives. “Entry Wounds” is perhaps the best episode of the three, with Maddox’s appearance shaking up the balance of power, giving Lewis more to do besides lead the charge with Hathaway at his side. The chapter also delivers the most interesting mystery, keeping suspect count low and gruesome incidents plentiful. Overcrowding sinks “The Lions of Nemea,” with the lukewarm teleplay striving to generate a sophisticated network of potential criminals and elaborate motives, drifting into tragedian references and motivations without tending to suspense. “Beyond Good and Evil” restores the intimate dynamic, wisely electing to pursue a plot that returns a piece of Lewis’s past to the present, pushing the measured character into uncomfortable corners of introspection. It’s a solid closure to the season, focused on building tension within the police department as those entrusted with protection are targeted for murder, while sacrifice also enters the equation, rattling Lewis and his already uneasy perspective on a troubling case. And, once again, performances are secure, gracefully handling hiccups in Oxford peace and partnership challenges with snappy wit and timing, finding Fox and Whatley as comfortable as ever in the lead roles, the latter performer offered an additional dimension as Lewis remains in a state of domestic harmony with Dr. Lewis.

Episodes

Disc 1

“Entry Wounds” (93:31)

Settling into retirement with Dr. Laura, Lewis is left with the reality of his new life, trying to drum up interest in building a canoe. Back on the job, Hathaway begins his new position of Detective Inspector, trying to wrap his mind around the responsibility of delegation, in charge of DS Maddox, who hopes to impress her new partner, but can’t break his habitual coldness. Their pairing is immediately put to the test when murder and arson arrive in a nearby forest, with violence tied to threats from an animal rights group, while grieving parents caring for their recently disabled son are suspected of killing the drunk doctor who ruined the boy’s life. Asked to provide extra manpower to the investigation, Lewis returns to duty, trying to figure out his place with a distant Hathaway and a discouraged Maddox.

“The Lions of Nemea” (92:17)

Returning to duty full-time, testing his newfound domesticity with Dr. Laura, Lewis effortlessly slips back into his old role as a DI, rejoining Hathaway on the force as Maddox learns to deal with her two frosty but chummy superiors. When the body of a graduate student is discovered in a local river, the trail of clues leads to her college, with Hathaway and Lewis questioning a series of egotistical professors and their close admirers, trying to deduce who was having some type of affair with the deceased. The mystery also leads off-campus to a couple using IVF to have another child and the dead woman’s roommate, who’s caught up with a bad boyfriend and a shipment of cocaine.

Disc 2

“Beyond Good and Evil” (92:22)

Lewis’s professional life is turned upside down when a serial killer he put behind bars in 2001 is being considered for release after faulty DNA evidence is brought to light by his admirers, including a sad woman who’s formed a relationship with the incarcerated man. Appalled by the situation and fearful of retaliation, Lewis is horrified to learn that the murders have started up again, exposing him to personal and professional doubt. While Maddox receives a reminder of the dangers of the job, Hathaway sets out to study the evidence and learn more about the suspects, protective of Lewis as their friendship experiences a chill.

Inspector Lewis: Series 7 Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

The AVC encoded image (1.78:1 aspect ratio) presentation keeps up with most PBS releases, showing signs of struggle with crush, which emerges periodically, solidifying darkly lit scenes and deeper fabrics. The viewing experience is best served in daylight, which illuminates a great range of fine detail, from crime scene particulars to facial reactions, and locations are also provided with clarity and texture. Colors are spot-on, with varied hues emerging from costumes and interior design, while skintones remain true. Some banding is detected, but artifacts are limited to a few problem areas, nothing consistent.

Inspector Lewis: Series 7 Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

The 2.0 DTS-HD MA sound mix is straightforward for a television crime show, making dialogue exchanges the priority. Performances are crisp and clean, never lost to distortion or a cluttered group dynamic. Atmospherics are inviting, with a pleasing read of forest crunch and city life. Scoring is supportive, carrying gently and respectfully until the moment calls for emphasis.

Inspector Lewis: Series 7 Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

There is no supplementary material on these discs.

Inspector Lewis: Series 7 Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

Instead of attempting to mimic last season and topple expectations with strained surprise and mediocre mysteries, "Inspector Lewis: Series 7" restores some consistency to the show, quickly repairing what was torn down the last time around. Familiarity works for the franchise, especially when it services any exploration of the characters and their troubles. That's not to suggest the new round of puzzling is dull. In fact, renewing the old dynamic between Hathaway and Lewis serves as a reminder that "Inspector Lewis" doesn't really need anything more than a crime to solve and conversation time between the DIs, embracing their uniquely intelligent and comfortable relationship for three more rounds of gripping detective work.