As campaigning for the 1970 general election gets underway in Oxford, racial tensions escalate in the city and a clash between two young rival gangs results in tragedy.As campaigning for the 1970 general election gets underway in Oxford, racial tensions escalate in the city and a clash between two young rival gangs results in tragedy.As campaigning for the 1970 general election gets underway in Oxford, racial tensions escalate in the city and a clash between two young rival gangs results in tragedy.
Graeme Stevely
- Adrian Sloane
- (as Graeme 'Grado' Stevely)
- Director
- Writers
- All cast & crew
- Production, box office & more at IMDbPro
Storyline
Did you know
- TriviaThis episode sees the return of Rebecca Saire playing Hazel Radowicz, the Oxford hairdresser last seen in the season five story, "Colours." Saire is the real-life wife of series star Roger Allam. Their son William Allam makes his TV acting debut playing Hazel Radowicz's son Gary Rogers.
- GoofsMorse refers to the softcore-porno movie Sturgis has been to see (with Thursday following him) as "X-rated". This is an American term, and one which, in 1970, would have been fairly new, even in the US. It was not in use in Great Britain, where the equivalent term at that time would have been "X-certificate", following the terminology of the British Board of Film Censors.
- Quotes
Chief Superintendent Reginald Bright: [when Oberon Prince is suspected] He orders an Indian meal and then butchers the man who delivers it. What is he, a lunatic of some sort?
DCI Fred Thursday: Food critic, sir.
- ConnectionsReferences Casablanca (1942)
- SoundtracksMain Theme
Written by Barrington Pheloung
Featured review
Tension rising
Found myself really impressed by the Season 7 opener "Oracle". Although the denouement disappointed a bit in my view, it was still an incredibly well made, directed, written and acted episode, and seeing the start of a new darker era as the show shifted time periods and seeing the characters progress with the period showed a lot of potential. So of course there would be high hopes for the next episode "Raga" and it was one of my most anticipated programmes of the week.
"Raga", a reference to Indian classical music and its sequences of notes, didn't disappoint on the most part, even if 'Endeavour' is not quite at the top of its game. Every bit as good as "Oracle", if not quite on that episode's same level. With all of "Oracle's" good things and done just as brilliantly, again incredibly made, written and acted. Do marginally prefer the direction in "Oracle" though, with it being a little more distinct and found that episode's writing a little more intriguing, the characters more interesting and that there was more authenticity. The potential with the new period has yet to be wasted. If "Raga" doesn't click with others, fair enough as it is a heavier subject than is usually seen with 'Endeavour'.
Am really not sure about the character of Ludo. There is some mild intrigue with him, but somehow he doesn't seem to fit with everything else and like he was lifted from somewhere else, did read a review that likened the character to being like he came from a Federico Fellini film and can understand that. The tank tops didn't seem to fit the period either, a shame because 'Endeavour' is usually so brilliant with its authentic attention to detail.
Like with "Oracle", the denouement may have been surprising but to me it lacked excitement and tension, called it perfunctory in my review for "Oracle" and that is a good way to sum up this denouement.
However, tank tops aside the production values in "Raga" are very high. Really liked the noir-ish look of some of the more tense scenes. Oxford looks great and is beautifully photographed. The music is as hauntingly beautiful as ever, and while the loss of the regrettably late Barrington Pheloung is still felt Matthew Slater's music is loyal without being derivative, with the right dramatic tension but also a graceful approach when needed.
The script is intelligent and thought-provoking, not trivialising its heavy and still relevant themes while bringing some sharp levity too (i.e. the food critics gag made even better by how Anton Lesser reacts to it). The story has plenty of twists and turns without convolution, for me it did have tension but definitely not enough in the denouement (which was where it should have been at its peak).
Shaun Evans is as always spot on as Morse and more than respectful to John Thaw's definitive creation without impersonation. Lesser is every bit as charismatic and also very nuanced. Of the supporting cast, a very moving Madhav Sharma stands out. Best of all is Roger Allam, always a big part of 'Endeavour's' appeal and he is an ever powerful presence. While Thursday and Morse's chemistry doesn't have the same spark of the earlier seasons, it is interesting to see it, with it being increasingly strained, and Thursday, growing increasingly hardened and weary, changing over time with the period. Some may find this aspect out of character, but it was interesting to see a different dimension to their relationship and Thursday.
In summary, very well done in most areas but there are many episodes of 'Endeavour' that are a lot better. 7/10
"Raga", a reference to Indian classical music and its sequences of notes, didn't disappoint on the most part, even if 'Endeavour' is not quite at the top of its game. Every bit as good as "Oracle", if not quite on that episode's same level. With all of "Oracle's" good things and done just as brilliantly, again incredibly made, written and acted. Do marginally prefer the direction in "Oracle" though, with it being a little more distinct and found that episode's writing a little more intriguing, the characters more interesting and that there was more authenticity. The potential with the new period has yet to be wasted. If "Raga" doesn't click with others, fair enough as it is a heavier subject than is usually seen with 'Endeavour'.
Am really not sure about the character of Ludo. There is some mild intrigue with him, but somehow he doesn't seem to fit with everything else and like he was lifted from somewhere else, did read a review that likened the character to being like he came from a Federico Fellini film and can understand that. The tank tops didn't seem to fit the period either, a shame because 'Endeavour' is usually so brilliant with its authentic attention to detail.
Like with "Oracle", the denouement may have been surprising but to me it lacked excitement and tension, called it perfunctory in my review for "Oracle" and that is a good way to sum up this denouement.
However, tank tops aside the production values in "Raga" are very high. Really liked the noir-ish look of some of the more tense scenes. Oxford looks great and is beautifully photographed. The music is as hauntingly beautiful as ever, and while the loss of the regrettably late Barrington Pheloung is still felt Matthew Slater's music is loyal without being derivative, with the right dramatic tension but also a graceful approach when needed.
The script is intelligent and thought-provoking, not trivialising its heavy and still relevant themes while bringing some sharp levity too (i.e. the food critics gag made even better by how Anton Lesser reacts to it). The story has plenty of twists and turns without convolution, for me it did have tension but definitely not enough in the denouement (which was where it should have been at its peak).
Shaun Evans is as always spot on as Morse and more than respectful to John Thaw's definitive creation without impersonation. Lesser is every bit as charismatic and also very nuanced. Of the supporting cast, a very moving Madhav Sharma stands out. Best of all is Roger Allam, always a big part of 'Endeavour's' appeal and he is an ever powerful presence. While Thursday and Morse's chemistry doesn't have the same spark of the earlier seasons, it is interesting to see it, with it being increasingly strained, and Thursday, growing increasingly hardened and weary, changing over time with the period. Some may find this aspect out of character, but it was interesting to see a different dimension to their relationship and Thursday.
In summary, very well done in most areas but there are many episodes of 'Endeavour' that are a lot better. 7/10
helpful•185
- TheLittleSongbird
- Feb 20, 2020
Details
- Runtime1 hour 29 minutes
- Color
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