Foyle's War (TV Series) The Hide (2010) User Reviews

A classic.

[Sleepin_Dragon · 10/10 · 9 November 2018]

The Hide is very definitely one of the standout episodes of the illustrious show. The writing and acting are always fantastic, Michael Kitchen was superb from start to finish, but it's not often he meets his match,non this episode he does, in the form of the sensational Andrew Scott. The scenes between Kitchen and Scott are unbelievable, the acting is off the scale. I loved the story, it's so well written, it's moving, intriguing, and wonderfully interesting. There is great character development for Foyle, and Sam, who's character moves in a totally new direction.

Sheer brilliance from start to finish, one off, if not the best if the lot. 10/10

very beautiful

[brescd01 · 10/10 · 4 October 2014]

I am glad to read that others thought as highly of this magnificent episode in a magnificent series. Michael Kitchen's performance and the character he created is so touching as to almost move me to tears.His acting is a marvel of subtlety, in fact his acting becomes so intense in its understatement I sometimes can't look at him. Yes, Foyle knows everything. But more importantly, he feels everything too. I am sure Horowitz deserves some credit for creating a character that Kitchen can so perfectly inhabit. But I really credit Kitchen, he must have deliberately developed the looks and mannerisms to make the points he wanted to make.He is the Maria Callas of actors.

He Keeps Having Trouble Retiring

[Hitchcoc · 10/10 · 23 September 2016]

This episode involves a broken young man from a rich family facing treason charges for which he may be hanged. He chooses not to defend himself, and this leads to Foyle getting dragged into things. Something is amiss because when our astute detective sees a newspaper hawker announcing the impending trial (which everyone assumes is just a formality), he is more interested than one might imagine. Apparently, there were cells of people who fought along side the Nazis. There were also informants among them, and this is at the root. There are also some secrets which are revealed as time goes along. We also have Sam's budding romance with the young owner of an inn who must confront a land developer who wishes to destroy the quaintness of the area. Things are a little contrived, but quite satisfactory, as we move to a conclusion.

Wonderful episode, with solid reveal about Foyle

[lor_ · 17 May 2010]

I love Foyle's War, and with the war over I was pleasantly surprised to see such a fascinating and successful segment as THE HIDE, which adds immeasurably to the series' lore.

Kitchen is perfect in navigating a complex story about young Devereaux (Andrew Scott in a tantalizingly subtle performance) facing the death penalty for treason, having become a member of the Nazis' nastily-conceived corps for captured British officers, giving those who agree to join special privileges in return for serving as "officers" in this cock & bull regiment that supports the Nazi cause.

The boy won't do anything in his defense and Foyle is relentless in trying to discover the truth behind not only his self-destructive reticence but also a murder of a neighbor girl which may be connected somehow. There are many interesting characters on view, not so much Foyle's successor Milner (Anthony Howell in a strictly routine outing), but especially his former driver Samantha (played by the delightfully monickered Honeysuckle Weeks, who gets a terrific subplot of her own, and even a marriage proposal), Devereaux's dad Sir Charles (David Yelland, solid as a rock), so proud of his aristocratic ancestry and Mrs. Ramsay (Georgie Glen, a superb character actress, known only to me from the recent flop version of Noel Coward's Easy Virtue) as a house keeper central to the plot.

Script by series creator Anthony Horowitz is a marvel, seamlessly weaving in a major digression dealing with evil land developers intent on despoiling the Green nearby to Hastings, as well as providing a major reveal all about Foyle that caught me completely off guard and was immensely satisfying by segment's end. I don't think BAFTA cares a hoot about this kind of quality material, but personally I think this ranks as one of the best Brit TV episodes in recent memory. Kudos to all involved.

Fighting for innocence and justice

[TheLittleSongbird · 9/10 · 7 November 2017]

Loved 'Foyle's War' and was immediately hooked when first getting into it. Love it even more now, on re-watches things that didn't quite make sense at first are clearer and things that were not noticed or appreciated before are and much admired. Everything that came over as brilliant on first viewings still are brilliant on re-watches.

There is the agreement that "The Hide" is contrived in places. Having said that, it is a fine episode still and is not only the best episode of this season by quite some way (thought "The Russian House" was very good though, but "Killing Time" while still with very impressive elements disappointed me) but it's a standout of the later episodes, just falling short of being one of the very best 'Foyle's War' episodes. Like with many 'Foyle's War' episodes, on re-watch there was much more appreciation had for how well established the character development, tone and themes are and things that didn't quite connect entirely at first made more sense on re-watches.

Have always admired the visual detail that went into 'Foyle's War' and how high quality the production values are, with beautiful costumes, the evocative way the characters are made up, the look of the houses and cars, pretty locations and authentic-looking scenery. The music is in keeping with the mood and doesn't overpower the drama while still making an impact.

Writing is intelligent, sophisticated and thought-provoking, establishing Foyle's personality with so much depth already and providing some tense and heart-tugging moments. Although with some contrivances, the story is very intriguing and even emotional, there is a lot going on but it never gets overly-complicated. Found myself really caring for Foyle's quest to clear Devereux's name, while identifying with his want to bring Howard Paige to well deserved and overdue justice. Devereux is a compellingly real character that one roots for.

One thing that wasn't picked up by me but now is and admired hugely is the tackling of what was seen as truths but some really misconceptions and seeing British during the war in a new light. This was a bold move and dealt with a lot of honesty and tact. The background information is so well researched and is every bit as interesting as the mystery itself. The character tensions were also handled very well and added a lot of intrigue.

Michael Kitchen is truly superb as Foyle, subtle, intensely determined, commanding and above all human. One of the most interesting television detectives there's ever been and Kitchen has rarely been better. Honeysuckle Weeks is charming and loyal, with some nice touches of subtle humour as ever, and Anthony Howell is wonderful (it's a shame that this is the last one sees of Milner).

Supporting cast are uniformly very good, with Andrew Scott a revelation as Devereux (he is incredibly believable in painting a figure of an emotionally damaged man).

Altogether, a fine episode indeed and a worthy episode to go out on before the series' initial cancellation, before its (short-lived) revival in 2012. 9/10 Bethany Cox

Somewhat Contrived End to the Series

[lewis-51 · 8/10 · 17 December 2013]

I love Foyle's War. It is one of the finest series ever developed for television, with a great setting, excellent mysteries, appealing characters, and fascinating history to learn on the side.

This episode was evidently to be the last one. Foyle has finally retired and is preparing to go to America, when he takes a deep interest in the trial of a traitor named James Devereaux recently returned from Germany. Coincidently (?) a young woman is murdered in the nearby town of Brighton. She was renting a room in a house owned by someone who spent many years working for James Devereaux's father, a very wealthy and important man. Hmm.

I guessed the reason for the strange intense interest Foyle had in Devereaux; that was a very nice touch. The plot reminds me very much of many of those written by the great mystery writer Ross Macdonald. As in his stories, the present day evil stems largely from an act committed a generation ago.

I like many other parts of the story, including the side plot with Sam, but couldn't help noticing some plot holes.

** spoilers below ***

• Mrs. Ramsay has been renting a room to Agnes for some months, and recognizes the picture frame when Milner shows it to her. Yet she had not recognized in those months the face of someone she knew well -- James Devereaux.

• Jack Stanford is a fake, yet he essentially "rejoins" MI5 when he gets back to England, and no one there recognizes that he is a fake. Really?

• I find it just unbelievable that James would commit suicide and betray himself by not explaining his actions. That he was doing this to punish his father just doesn't make sense.

• What's with that sudden explosion in the house/hotel that Wainwright owned? Talk about a deus ex machina. Don't have to worry about selling or fixing up the place now!

Very moving

[pjdickinson-27822 · 10/10 · 26 July 2022]

Foyle's War was always entertaining but this really scaled the heights of drama. Michael Kitchen and Andrew Scott are fantastic in their quiet portrayals of pain. This is an astounding episode and very moving. Much is left unsaid and quite right, too.

Foyle's Fitting End

[Laight · 8/10 · 15 January 2012]

This last was the only poor season in what has otherwise been a stellar run. Few mystery series can rival Foyle's War for its story-telling, acting, direction, and style. But when the war ended, the series should have ended. Still, this last episode is by far the best of series 7. Foyle, who had become something of a caricature of himself, is back as a full-fledged character again, and we see something of his life outside of his job--even though it relates to a love affair that happened many years previously. And there are hints of what happened in a few previous episodes, especially the one in which an American industrialist committed a murder and, because of the war, Foyle could not arrest him--but promised, after the war, he would come calling. Still, there are some strange continuity problems in this episode--Foyle's son was last seen telling Sam he would pursue her relentlessly, and then disappears for good; not even Foyle seems interested. Foyle had a horrible fight with Milner, who had only been doing his job. This episode ignores the former tension. But overall this episode is quite good and perhaps, finally, will end what was one of the best mysteries ever on TV.

Incredible, incredible

[CitizenCairParavel · 10/10 · 10 August 2020]

Loved this show. Adam Scott was so creepy as Moriarty that I found it hard at first to care about his character, but wow! Did he come through in the end? Like a Greek tragedy.

Should Have Been Called "Holes"

[deansscreen · 8/10 · 8 May 2023]

Outstandingly sensitive acting by Michael Kitchen and an interesting story. But I agree with other reviewers that too many holes crept into the plot.

First: I join with the reviewer who questioned the credibility of Stanford's so-called return to the service. How did he even get past the guard at the door to this super-secretive outfit?

Second: Foyle goes to a hotel looking for a Mr. Chambers; the clerk plays him off and makes a short call warning someone that they have a problem. And who is it who has the problem? And what is the problem? All of this goes unanswered (in my opinion).

Third: What is the meaning of the envelope addressed to Mr. Chambers (it contained a coded letter from Devereux inside of a second envelope)? Why was Devereux's letter inside of two envelopes (one to Chambers, one to his murdered girlfriend)? Who was Chambers (if he exists at all)?

Last: I certify here and now that I didn't sleep thru the episode and miss the obvious answers to my questions. I have seen the episode twice, and I still haven't grasped the answers to these questions.