Masterpiece Mystery! : Endeavour, Season 5 Blu-ray

PHOTOS 1-3: Characters who will definitely not die at the end of Season Five: how they looked in the 1960s and in 1987 (first season of 'Inspector Morse')---- Photo 1: Sergeant / Inspector Endeavour Morse---- Photo 2: Sergeant Jim Strange / Superintendent James Strange---- Photo 3: Pathologist Dr. Max DeBrynPHOTO 4: Black Jaguar Mark I / Red Jaguar Mark II *PHOTO 5: Inspector McNutt - see "Who is Inspector McNutt?" at the end of this review.PHOTOS 6-7: Vincent Price & Diana Riggs, early hosts of PBS Mystery - see "Nostalgia" at the end of this review.* Morse's affection for the Jaguar automobile is something he inherited from DCI Thursday.The black Jaguar Mark I featured on 'Endeavour' is Inspector Thursday's car, or possibly a police-issue vehicle. Constable Morse was Thursday's driver (a position he coveted even after his promotion to sergeant).In the 'Endeavour' pilot, set in 1965, Constable Morse was seen admiring a red Jaguar Mark II in a dealer’s window.By 1987, Inspector Morse was the proud owner of that same red Jaguar Mark II (license number 248RPA).PBS PERFIDY:Just when I thought PBS had cleaned up it's act when it came to editing these shows, they let me down.Each Masterpiece Mystery broadcast was 9 to 11 minutes shorter than the "UK-length" episodes on blu-ray.I timed two episodes:-- Episode 2 "Cartouche" was 1:21:16 on PBS vs 1:32:04 on blu-ray-- Episode 3 "Passenger" was 1:21:16 on PBS vs 1:30:47 on bu-ray(measured from the actual start of the episode; not counting the closing credits)Season Five has six episodes on three discs, WITH SUBTITLES + three behind-the-scenes featurettes.Even though the DVDs and Blu-Rays have the "PBS" logo on the cover, they contain the longer UK-length versions, not the shortened PBS broadcast versions.SPOILER ALERTAlways a danger with prequels.If you are totally new to Inspector Morse, skip the following paragraph.(on second thought, Endeavour is not intended for people who are totally new to Inspector Morse.For the intended audience, this is not a spoiler at all.)-------------------------------------------SPOILER ALERTProducer Helen Ziegler, quoted on the Season Four blu-ray:“There is a huge tragedy about the character of Endeavour …Fans of Morse, you know the history.You know that ahead of him, he dies alone …You just want him to be happy, and you just want him to find love and find contentment.And yet he’s this lost soul, and I find that incredibly poignant and moving as he’s working out his place and his way in the world.”-------------------------------------------END OF SPOILER ALERTALMOST A SPOILER, BUT NOT QUITE:The BBC and PBS have been rather careless in their advertising about Season Five.[could be a spoiler, but this one is pretty vague.]I deliberately did not watch the PBS broadcast, but waited patiently for the blu-rays to arrive,yet I already know that there will be “big changes” at the end of Season Five.According to the press release, one unidentified character will die and one will leave the show at the end of Season Five (this sort of thing is inevitable on a long-running show).Three characters don’t need to worry - they will still be with us nineteen years later for the debut of 'Inspector Morse' - Endeavour Morse, Jim Strange and Dr. Max De Bryn.Another “big change” is that the Oxford City Police is disbanding, the Cowley Police Station is closing, and it's officers are being reassigned to other stations.This is not a spoiler. It's history:On April 1, 1968 the Buckingham Constabulary, Oxfordshire Constabulary, Berkshire Constabulary, Reading Borough Police and Oxford City Police were consolidated to form the Thames Valley Constabulary.WHO IS INSPECTOR McNUTT?Inspector McNutt is the only major character in Sergeant Morse's life who has not appeared on 'Endeavour'.In the episode "Masonic Mysteries" from Season Four of 'Inspector Morse' (1990), Morse visits retired DCI Desmond McNutt (played by Scottish actor Iain Cuthbertson).Morse describes McNutt to Sergeant Lewis as "my mentor" (no mention of Fred Thursday).Photo 5: Inspector McNutt with Inspector Morse in "Masonic Mysteries" (McNutt became a vicar after retirement).DCI Thursday has lately talked of retirement, especially after being shot in Season Three.Season Six, to be set in 1969, may be his last year (or maybe not).When Thursday finally retires, Sergeant Morse will need a new "Guv'nor" (British police slang for Inspector).Enter Inspector McNutt?TRIVIA:The Jaguar Mark I was in production from 1955-59, the Mark II from 1959-67.In the UK, license plates are issued to automobiles when they are built, and remain with the car, not the owner.Checking Jaguar records reveals that the black Jaguar MK I used in 'Endeavour' (license KAN169) rolled off the assembly line in March 1956.The red Jaguar Mark II used in 'Inspector Morse' (license 248RPA) rolled off the assembly line in 1960.Neither car was new, but both were well cared for.Inspector Morse worked for the Thames Valley Constabulary, but his successor, Inspector Lewis, worked for the “Oxfordshire Police” (a fictional organization).That’s because, in real life, by the time "Inspector Lewis" debuted, a new Chief Constable had taken over the Thames Valley Constabulary.Unlike her predecessor, she was not a fan of television.She has since been reassigned.Endeavour Season Five marks the return of the “Thames Valley Constabulary” to television.And yes, there will be a Season Six. Hooray!NOSTALGIA:Inspector Morse debuted on the BBC in 1987, and in the U.S. on PBS Mystery, hosted by Vincent Price, in 1988.Diana Rigg took over hosting duties the following year and lasted until 2003 (photos 6 & 7).Each week's host segment used to be something to look forward to, unlike the tepid introductions by current host Alan Cummings.During these early years, the most popular detectives were Sherlock Holmes, starring Jeremy Brett (aired 1984-1996) and Inspector Morse, starring John Thaw (aired 1988-2001).It would be nice to report that pristine copies of all the Vincent Price and Diana Rigg host segments are locked away in a PBS vault somewhere in Boston.Unfortunately all we have are blurry VHS copies of a select few.See Comment One (sort by "Oldest”) for some interesting samples of their work.I wish I could recommend an affordable American collection of the “Complete Inspector Morse” (33 episodes) on DVD or Blu-Ray, but I’m afraid I can’t,There are some alternatives: see Comment One (sort by "Oldest").Amazon links to "Endeavour" Seasons 1-4: Masterpiece Mystery: Endeavour Series 1 [Blu-ray ] includes the pilot Masterpiece Mystery: Endeavour Series 2 [Blu-ray ] Masterpiece Mystery!: Endeavour Series 3 (UK Edition) Blu-ray Masterpiece Mystery!: Endeavour Season 4 (UK- Length Edition) Blu-ray ---- Photo 1: Sergeant / Inspector Endeavour Morse: 1968 (Shaun Evans) & 1987 (John Thaw)---- Photo 2: Sergeant Jim Strange / Superintendent James Strange: 1968 (Sean Rigby) & 1987 (James Grout)---- Photo 3: Pathologist Dr. Max DeBryn: 1968 (James Bradshaw) & 1987 (Peter Woodthorpe)---- Photo 4: Jaguars!---- Photo 5: Inspector McNutt with Inspector Morse.

Quality of the dvd is fine. The Endeavour series always great. The case securing the dvd leaves a lot to be desired as far as quality. The top hinge for the section holding disc 1 and 2 is broken. Thus that section in the case can slide around when handling the case... cheap plastic. I'll try to glue that piece back in place so the hinge is intact, or buy a new case, or return the blu ray. Just a big hassle.

The Endeavour series is outstanding, whether it is series 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, or 7.

It is hard to accept the current Endevour's love life situation but after watching Morse it makes sense. Nonetheless, you cannot help to rebel against it. Hence, I admire more than enjoy the cast performance. Great job.

Wonderful series

I have viewed every Morse, from the original series to the current Endeavour. Still a wonderful acted story. American TV would have been lost on this lengthy type series a long time ago.

I love this series of "Endeavour" from season 1 to season 5. After getting to know the characters, it even becomes more interesting. Can't wait until the new season will be out for purchase!

If you like British drama, this show is up there with the best of them. As with prior seasons, this one does not disappoint. You will want to watch this season!

Funny a never really cared much for the inspector morse series but love endeavour cleverely placed in an important era the charecters are strong and stand on there own violence when its used is nasty,brutish with no hint of heroic resolve

Just a continuation of a great series. Well acted the very good stories.Seller was accurate about delivery time but it took four weeks which I think is a little bit long.

Great series. Product arrived as indicated. Price same as local vendor which was sold out.

I am a confirmed Endeavour fan and, naturally, I really enjoy this fifth season DVD. I understood that this was to be the final Endeavour series but many "ends" were left so I'm still hoping for at least one more series!

This is the fifth series I have all the others. I loved Morse and love Endeavour also. I thought Morse becomes more morose and moody in this outing but it was very good to watch.I love to see the actors such as the superintendent and the Inspector's characters who leave I think after this.A great and likeable group of performers in this series.What will series 6 bring if some of the actors are retired and the rest moved into another building.