Inspector Lewis: Your Sudden Death Question

I can’t believe I haven’t been able to blog about the fourth episode of Inspector Lewis yet! Your Sudden Death Question aired this past Sunday on Masterpiece Mystery, and as is the norm for this stellar series it delivered another engrossing story with enough twists and turns to keep your head spinning. Here’s the story summary from the PBS website:

It's a quiet holiday weekend and the Oxford campus has emptied out. But the competition is still fierce — and deadly — thanks to a group of quiz enthusiasts who have convened to compete for a cash prize and bragging rights. Foul play is afoot when one contestant, a charming but lecherous primary school teacher, is found dead in a fountain. The campus is locked down, and Detective Inspector Lewis (Kevin Whately) and Detective Sergeant Hathaway (Laurence Fox) start interviewing the other contestants — among them Oxford academics, young mothers, students, soldiers and lawyers. Is this a crime of passion or out-of-control competition? Lewis and Hathaway match wits with the contestants and race for answers as the game takes one final, grim turn.

First of all, I cannot tell you how much I enjoyed getting a brief glimpse into Lewis and Hathaway’s off-duty lives (especially Hathaway’s, I cannot lie). Just when I think this series can’t possible reveal more about Hathaway’s character for me to love, we discover that he plays guitar and looks really, really good in jeans. *g* Unexpected but absolutely perfect, these touches add great dimension to his character. And speaking of surprises, seeing Lewis in a tux, getting ready to go to the opera – well that was a shocker, no? He’s been closed off emotionally for so much of the series due to the untimely death of his wife that it was really sweet to see him getting ready for a “friends” date with Dr. Laura Hobson (Clare Holman).

However, I’ve got kind of mixed feelings about how Lewis and Laura’s relationship played out over this episode. I’ve been looking forward to the day when the filmmakers would move these two characters in the relationship direction, but ultimately things felt a bit rushed for me. There were brief, fleeting hints during earlier episodes of this season that gave me hope that Lewis was warming up to the idea of dating Laura. But finding out they’d planned a weekend getaway to see the opera (with separate hotel rooms, though, as Laura is quick to point out later) seemed like a giant leap forward for the pair. I guess it struck me as a bit out of character since I’m used to things moving forward rather slowly for my beloved main characters in the Inspector Lewis universe.  But maybe that’s just me…thoughts?

As far as the actual murder mystery goes, I really enjoyed the quiz weekend set up. Since Oxford emptied out so people could enjoy the long weekend, the pool of suspects was very limited and controllable. The set up reminded me just a bit of Agatha Christie’s Ten Little Indians, especially since the police could order the porter to keep everyone locked on the grounds pending investigation results. As far as the cast goes, to my recollection this episode contained fewer than the usual normal “quota” of familiar faces that populate the British acting world. However, there are a few cast members that I definitely want to call out.

First and foremost, I have to mention Nicholas Ferrell as Charles Milner, one half of the “Grey Guardians” quiz team. I really don’t want to spoil anything if you’ve yet to see this episode, but I thought Milner’s character was fascinating – just when you think the filmmakers are going to go right with the character, they veer to the left and surprise you with revelations about his past, work, and possible motivations. Very well done. The other half of the Grey Guardians, Donald Terry, was played by actor Timothy West. West should be a very familiar face to fans of BBC costume dramas since he played Sir Leicester Dedlock in the wonderful Bleak House. The first victim, Ethan Croft, is played by Adam James – observant Foyle’s War fans may recognize him from the episode Killing Time. Ethan’s character is another great example of just how well written this series is – when he’s introduced you think he’s just a lech, and ultimately he is, but by the end of the story some unexpectedly admirable traits are revealed. Ethan’s forgotten ex-girlfriend member of another quiz team is Robyn Strong, played by Ruth Gemmell. Gemmell appeared in series 3 of Primeval, episodes three and four as a reporter. (I really, really need to go back and rewatch Primeval from the beginning, since – WOO-HOO – the show is slated to FINALLY return to TV sometime in 2011!!) Those are the faces that really jumped out at me during my initial viewing of this episode. There are a few other familiar faces who have made random appearances on British shows (such as Poirot or Miss Marple), but in relatively small roles if memory serves.

The absolute runaway highlight of this episode for me was once again the development of the friendship between Lewis and Hathaway. Now that Lewis is finally pursuing a relationship with Laura, Hathaway has a field day teasing him about it - those scenes were hilarious! When Hathaway’s precious Gibson guitar is stolen during his abbreviated holiday weekend at a world music festival, he’s crushed. Lewis takes an unexpected but wonderful to see interest in helping his despondent partner track down his stolen property. It was really fun to see how Lewis has been influenced by working with Hathaway for several years now during this little side investigation, or the “Gibson angle” as they dub it when asked by the Chief Superintendent. In his off the books investigation of Hathaway’s theft, he takes on his younger, more media-savvy partner’s role, and it was hilarious to see Hathaway’s reaction to the role reversal. And the moment at the very end of the episode, where Hathaway stands outside the police station hugging his guitar case, a look of pure bliss on his face, was absolutely priceless. This team just keeps getting better & better!

I love this show, and despite my hesitation over the way Lewis and Laura seem to be rushing into a relationship rather quickly, I'm anxious to see where these characters are headed. The joy is in the journey, as they say, and Lewis and Hathaway are characters that are always worth spending time with - especially since they solve some of the most surprising, well-crafted mysteries one could wish for.

Note: Since I'm so late in blogging about this episode, I nearly forgot the most exciting bit of casting - Laurence Fox's brother Jack in the role of student and quiz competitor Alfie. According to his IMDB page, this is only Jack's second acting credit, but he's such a dish and with the acting blood he's got in his genes I'm sure we'll be seeing more of him on-screen (at least I hope so!). Here's the only pic I could find online - the Fox family shortly after the birth of Laurence & Billie Piper's first child.

James Fox, Laurence, Mary Fox, and Jack

The Diary of Anne Frank

The backlog of programs on my DVR is absolutely out of control. The latest adaptation of The Diary of Anne Frank aired almost a month ago on Masterpiece Classic, and I can't for the life of me believe I let this film sit, unwatched, on my DVR that long. Life happens, hmm? Friends, this is an extraordinary film, and if you missed it, or perhaps though I "know" the story, what can a new film possibly bring to the table - let me encourage you to set those thoughts aside and to make some time to watch this as soon as you can. If you need a "refresher," here's the film summary from the PBS website:

"When I write, all my sadness disappears."

Anne Frank in 'The Diary of Anne Frank'

For Jewish teenager Anne Frank (Ellie Kendrick), her diary is her one true friend and confidant. In it, she records the thoughts of a typical teen — only set against a backdrop of encroaching evil in Amsterdam during World War II. Stowed away behind a bookcase in a secret annex with her family and others to flee the Nazis, Anne experiences her time in hiding as an adventure. And, amidst closed quarters and random bomb blasts, Anne faces friction with family, a desire for independence and the first stirrings of young love. As Anne's identity solidifies, so does her resolve to be a writer — her diary a tangible and remarkable record of a young woman's first-hand observations of the Holocaust, and the innate goodness she still sees in people. Drawing on Anne Frank's own words in the most accurate-ever adaptation of the revered memoir, Masterpiece presents The Diary of Anne Frank on Holocaust Remembrance Day, 2010.

The Franks
Ellie Kendrick is an absolute revelation as Anne Frank. Not only does she bear an almost eerie resemblance to the real Anne, she does an extraordinary job of capturing the many facets of Anne's character. She's wise and immature, kind and selfish, brilliant and dense - in other words, a typical, complicated teenager just trying to figure out her place in an upside-down world. It's been several years since I've seen any of the other film adaptations of Anne's memoir, so I have only vague recollections and impressions of the performances. But going by feeling alone, I have to say Kendrick's Anne is the most alive, passionate, memorable take on the character. It's as if Anne has leaped from the pages of her diary to full, brilliant life. This may seem like a little thing, but as a cat lover it jumped out to me - in other films I can't recall a scene where Anne is forced to leave behind her beloved pet when the family goes into hiding. As a fellow cat lover I could so relate to that moment, that sacrifice on Anne's part - and that "little" thing just broke my heart on Anne's behalf. As the centerpiece of the film, Kendrick anchors the story with unbelievable strength and conviction - very, very well done.

Anne's father, Otto, is played by Iain Glen who may be a familiar face to Masterpiece viewers - he played Mr. Preson in Wives and Daughters (and he has an upcoming two-episode appearance in Doctor Who!). Glen's Otto is a noble, tragic figure, and an incredibly kind man. I found myself trying to imagine what it must have been like to be the only member of his family to survive the camps - and just trying to fathom that heartbreak leaves me speechless. Glen and Kendrick have a wonderful on-screen father-daughter relationship. Anne was definitely a daddy's girl, but this movie doesn't shy away from the fireworks her teenage "growing pains" caused her parents. Anne's mother, Edith, is played by Tamsin Greig who was most recently seen on Masterpiece Classic in the latest production of Emma, playing Miss Bates. Greig does a fantastic job here, showing Edith's struggles to come to terms with life in hiding, and her heartache over coping with Anne who is just at a place in her life when she wants nothing to do with her mother. Knowing how the story ends, that's just one more aspect of the film that will break your heart - it really got me to thinking about how we humans do tend to think we'll live forever, that we'll always have another day to change our minds about something or to make things right with another, and that's not always the case, is it? Felicity Jones plays the final member of the Frank family - Anne's older sister, Margot. I confess I almost didn't recognize her - hidden behind large round glasses and wartime hand-me-down clothes, Margot is a far cry from the vivacious Catherine Morland Jones portrayed in Northanger Abbey. Though the role of Margot isn't as "flashy" as Anne's, I was quite impressed with the long-suffering quality Jones brought out in the role.

The Van Daans
When the Van Daans join the Franks in hiding, both families find their patience sorely tested. Hermann Van Daan is played by Ron Cook, who some of you Masterpiece Classic fans may remember as Chivery (Russell Tovey's dad!!) in Little Dorrit last year. His wife, Petronella, is played by another familiar face - Lesley Sharp. She's appeared in everything from Return to Cranford (playing the not-so-lovely Mrs. Bell) to the classic Doctor Who episode "Midnight." It's funny, but Petronella Van Daan is one character I distinctly remember from the classic 1959 film version of Anne Frank. Shelley Winters was so memorable in the role, but I have to say Sharp really measures up in comparison - she's every bit as loud, and funny, and occasionally obnoxious as Winters ever was. ;-) Their son, the quiet and introverted Peter, is played by Geoff Breton. Breton hasn't appeared in all that much, but he was apparently in the Inspector Lewis episode "The Quality of Mercy" last season on Masterpiece Mystery. Sadly I don't remember his performance. :-( But he does make up for that here. The crush that develops between Peter and Anne is just heartbreakingly adorable. The whole time I was watching their relationship develop, I kept thinking - if they had survived, would they have married eventually? What might they have become? So, so much potential cut off all too soon - but so thankful that Anne left that diary and had a knack for bringing her life and the people who inhabited it to life on the page.

Everyone else...
Nicholas Farrell is an old favorite of mine, and he plays Albert Dussel, the dentist who joins the Franks and Van Daans after the two families have been in hiding for a while. Farrell is such a great actor, capable of conveying so much emotion in his performances. Some of my favorites include his turn as Antonio in Twelfth Night, Horatio in Kenneth Branagh's Hamlet, Torchwood: Children of Earth, and Collision (from Masterpiece Contemporary last year). He's also appeared in various random episodes of mystery shows like Poirot and the stellar Robert Lindsay vehicle Jericho. It has been so long since I've watched this story I honestly don't remember Dussel's character at all. Farrell does a good job driving home how much of an outsider he must've felt like as a single man living with two complete family units.

And two final quick notes on the acting - the Franks' faithful friend and caretaker Miep Gies is played by actress Kate Ashfield, who incidently was also an alum of Collision. Also, friend Bep Voskuijl is played by Mariah Gale, who was just seen on Great Performances opposite David Tennant as Ophelia in Hamlet. More on that show, and her performance at a later date. :)

Kudos to the production team and director for delivering a fast-paced, thoroughly absorbing film. The way the movie is staged, you end up feeling clausterphobic as the attic's inhabitants must have felt. Close quarters with never a break - how could you not want to snap? Yet there was no other choice, and in the end I can't think that I would've been able to handle what these people did half so well. Gritty, realistic, inspiring, and incredibly moving, this adaptation of The Diary of Anne Frank is not to be missed.