"Foyle's War, Set 5" had been considered, in its moment, possibly the last of a British
historical drama/mystery/police procedural series, created and largely authored by
Anthony Horowitz (Agatha Christie's Poirot: The Definitive Collection; Midsomer
Murders Set 12, for which he deserves our unstinting praise and thanks. The series, which
was made by Britain’s ITV, debuted in Britain in 2002. It debuted in the United States,
on PBS stations, in 2003. Overall, it has been just superb, as each episode combined a
mystery, most of them reasonably strong; and solid history, insights into the little-known
problems and domestic scandals of the British homeland during the years of World War
II. This set of three all new feature-length episodes brings the story to 1945, as the war
finally winds down, and Foyle and his team do their best to prepare for uncertain futures.
Michael Kitchen (Out of Africa;Reckless) has played the title character, police detective
Christopher Foyle, with distinction since the series’ premier. It has been Foyle's burden,
although he would have much preferred to be more actively involved in the war effort, to
investigate civilian crimes in the small, historic south coast English town of Hastings; a
town obviously directly in the German line of fire. Kitchen had been quoted as saying he
could see no future for a series to be entitled "Foyle's Peace:" thus, it seemed likely the
series might well come to an end with this fifth helping, though, ultimately there was a
sixth, set in the immediate postwar period.
Throughout, Kitchen received strong support from Anthony Howell (Shadowlands) as
detective Paul Milner, and Honeysuckle Weeks (Falling) as his driver Samantha Stewart.
Julian Ovenden (Cashmere Mafia - The Complete Series) played Foyle's son Andrew.
The three, approximately 100 minute episodes each are:
Episode 1, "Plan of Attack." set in April, 1944. Milner's unyielding investigation of a
transportation fraud has far-reaching consequences. They are most noticeable at a nearby,
secret mapping facility; and an ecumenical religious conference, held at Hastings, that is
considering the historical question of the morality of the continued Allied bombing of
Germany. Featuring Michael Jayston (Nicholas and Alexandra); this is an estimable
episode.
Episode 2,"Broken Souls," set in October 1944. At a nearby psychiatric clinic treating
troubled soldiers, a doctor's murder turns up a satisfying amount of skullduggery among
patients and staff. It also complicates Foyle's friendship with Dr. Josef Novak, the Polish
Jewish refugee who heads the clinic; illuminates the situation at homeland German
prisoner of war camps, and considers the problems of soldiers returning home after years
away. It features Phyllida Law (The Winter Guest), and Graham Crowden (Waiting for
God - Season 1). Some may find this episode slow, but I found it very emotionally
fulfilling.
Episode 3,"All Clear," set in May, 1945, as all Britain waits for formal announcement of
war's end. Foyle is pressured into joining a high-level local committee to keep public
order during the celebration to come. But that end comes too soon for two men; the one, a
victim of a stabbing, the other, apparently a suicide. As has sometimes happened during
this series, the villain is rather overt from the beginning. Still, a shameful, covered up
wartime incident is exposed, and the problems of returning soldiers are considered, as are
the problems of everyone wondering what they'll do in peacetime.
All things end, even the worst of wars, and the best of TV series. This set, while it was
thought for a while to be the last, is not the least of FOYLES WAR. It’s a must for
British mystery lovers.