Inspector Morse (TV Series) Ghost in the Machine (1989) User Reviews

Solid Story

[goldberry-90-44341 · 7/10 · 28 April 2015]

The mystery itself is unmemorable, but that's okay. Instead, we get more of a focus on the characters. This episode pares it down to the basics - lots of Morse and Lewis banter, a reasonably-paced investigation, not too many suspects, a crazy-complex solution (but, for once, fairly comprehensible.) Max has made his exit, and Morse's first multiple-episode love interest has appeared in the person of Dr. Russell. She is a sort of Laura Hobson prototype, but doesn't get too much time here, since this is really a buddy- cop episode.

Lewis, usually Morse's long-suffering dogsbody, manages to not only get in quite a few zingers at his grumpy boss, but essentially solve the case. He refuses to let favoritism (towards, say, beautiful rich women) cloud his vision. Thaw and Whately are at their best here, having by now established a solid rapport. Also very good is the chilly lady of the manor.

Morse once again takes on the aristocracy.

[Sleepin_Dragon · 8/10 · 29 April 2020]

Morse firstly investigates the disappearance of some missing artwork, then secondly investigates the disappearance of the owner of the slightly lurid works.

The crime itself is pretty good, though not the deepest crime the pair would investigate, but would contain some of the richest characters in the show's history. Morse often took on the aristocracy, but none like Lady Hanbury. Great music, and the usual wonderful production values, the setting is one of the finest in the land.

Lady Hanbury is a wonderful character, so elegant and entitled, Patricia Hodge gives an incredibly memorable performance. Patsy Byrne was great also, well cast.

Peter Woodthorpe is much missed as Max, although his replacement was great, and would have some terrific scenes with Morse.

Very good, 8/10.

A Better Episode.

[rmax304823 · 7/10 · 13 February 2011]

A well-executed episode in which Morse and Lewis are caught up in a couple of murders at one of England's stately homes, and stately gardens and mausoleums too.

This one has more humorous touches than most but it's the sort of humor that requires your vigilance. Morse makes some grumbling remark about the tabloid media and adds -- "All these Australians." Most of the smiles though depend on Morse's snottiness towards the affable Lewis and his lack of sophistication.

Example: the aristocratic head of the manor had a good chance of a promotion at a fictional college at Oxford University. His wife intended to leave him because "I simply couldn't follow him and become mistress." Says a startled Lewis: "WHA'?" Morse wrinkles his nose, turns disdainfully to Lewis and explains that the head of the college would be a "Master" and therefor his wife would be a "mistress." Morse teaches Lewis how to spell "desperate" and gives its Latin derivation. He also taught ME how to spell "desperate" because I kept getting the spelling mixed up, just as Lewis did. I've had the same trouble with "devastate" but I now can spell THAT word correctly as well, because I've learned that that canard of a second vowel is different from the one in "desperate." Okay, let's see. I think that takes care of my orthographic weaknesses.

The lady of the house is Patricia Hodge and she's marvelous as the icy and unflappable leptosome that the maid addresses as "M'lady." Whew. Nothing rattles her. Nothing challenges her innate sense of superiority to everyone and everything. I was trying to imagine what it would be like to make love to her and I think I came to understand why her bedroom and her husband's were fifty feet apart. Morse explains it as a convention of the nobility but I think we can all put ourselves in hubby's place. Hodge has a face full of elongated features that fit the role precisely. She was also a convincing and distant aristo in Sherlock Holmes' "The Adventure of the Second Stain." Max, the pathologist, is missing from this episode. He had a stroke. Don't worry; it was minor and he'll soon be back at work. Morse tritely expresses some sympathy but isn't exactly broken up over the matter, especially when his temporary replacement turns out to be a rather attractive young woman.

What a nice country house -- and huge too. I couldn't afford to buy the doormat.

Wonderful, one of my favourites!

[TheLittleSongbird · 10/10 · 2 July 2009]

The Ghost in The Machine is a beautifully constructed episode, and is up there with Morse's best. It is hugely advantaged by stunning scenery, that house especially was a revelation. There is also a lovely soundtrack, Puccini's Tosca in one scene was very powerful and later proves significant. The plot consists of an aristocrat going missing, as does his paintings. He is later found dead, but the question is did he commit suicide or was he murdered? The episodes also uncovers vulgar art, another murder, and pornography. Thaw and Whately are excellent, and Patricia Hodge was excellent as the wonderfully sophisticated and composed Lady Hanbury. Michael Thomas is very handsome as McKendrick, and I liked the lady who played the french maid Michelle. If I have one minor criticism, it would be I do kind of miss Peter Woodthorpe as Max, though Amanda Hillwood was lovely as Dr Russell. All in all, excellent. 10/10 Bethany Cox.

Morse vs the aristocracy

[grantss · 9/10 · 31 August 2022]

Another excellent episode of Inspector Morse. Very intriguing especially as it is not initially a murder. Things develop, rather start with a death: we initially have a simple break-in, then a murder, then possibly a suicide, then...

The banter between Morse and Lewis is particularly good in this one and Lewis is at last getting some shots in. I particularly liked the Maria Callas dialogue early on in the episode: Lewis: That was a nice tune. Who was singing?

Morse (in his usual patronising tone). That, Lewis, was Maria Callas.

Lewis: Oh, is she in Cats?

The episode also introduces to the new pathologist, Dr Russell. While I liked Max, Dr Russell is a wonderful new addition and a breath of fresh air in the show.

The Sophisticated Plot Was the Star

[Hitchcoc · 10/10 · 17 February 2018]

Thoroughly enjoyable. The story was put together with immaculate precision. It involves a rich woman, a master manipulator, who thought she had total control, but couldn't avoid reprisal. This woman is wealthy beyond belief, living in a huge mansion. One day a couple pieces of priceless art are stolen and before long, the husband is found dead in a family mausoleum. His face has been destroyed with blows from perhaps a sledgehammer. But, as is the case with many of the Morse episodes, there are underground tremors from revenge and spite. I especially enjoyed how the whole thing is unravelled, making real sense. Also, the aforementioned woman is absolutely hateful, testing Morse's mettle.

Goofs

[davecaldwell-28328 · 8/10 · 14 August 2018]

After the car crash Lewis says "his lights came on but he never slowed down". The car is coming towards them, he wouldn't see the brake lights.

Re: davecaldwell-28328 14 August 2018

[humiston · 1/10 · 16 September 2018]

Regarding Dave Caldwell's review, Morse made a U-turn after meeting Roger on the road and Roger running off the road. Morse and Lewis were now behind, following Roger and, indeed, saw Roger's brake lights as he ran into the undergrowth. I have it paused on my screen now.