Ep 2. The Last Enemy

The Last Enemy is the second episode of the third season of the British detective drama series Inspector Morse. The episode was first released on January 9, 1989. The Last Enemy features Morse and Lewis investigating the death of a young woman who was found strangled near a canal. The victim - Anne Staveley - was a student at Oxford University who had been studying Russian language and literature.

The investigation brings the detectives into contact with a secretive Cold War spy ring, who are revealed to be involved in the murder. The investigation intensifies when a second murder occurs, linking the case to an even larger conspiracy involving government officials and MI6.

The episode opens with a young woman, Anne Staveley, wandering near the canal at night. We soon discover that she was followed by an unknown man before being strangled. Morse and Lewis are called to the scene to investigate. Morse, with his keen eye and extensive knowledge of Oxford's history, quickly deduces that Staveley was a student at Oxford University who was studying the Russian language.

The detectives visit Anne Staveley's tutor, Dr. Scheinmann, who informs them that she was an exceptional student and was planning to return to Moscow soon. Morse becomes intrigued and starts investigating the young woman's background. He finds that Staveley was orphaned at a young age and was sent to a boarding school, which had a connection with an MI6 agent during the Cold War.

Morse discovers that the school was being used as a cover for a secret spy ring, the leader of which was a man named Boswell. The detectives visit Boswell's house and find it suspiciously empty. Later on, another murder occurs, this time Boswell's housekeeper. Morse and Lewis connect the two murders, realizing that Boswell is involved in the deaths of both victims. They also discover a Russian manuscript sent to the university, which Boswell was buying off.

As the investigation deepens, Morse and Lewis learn more about the spy ring. They find that Staveley was communicating with a Russian agent, who is identified as the deceased Colonel Kershaw. MI6 believed that Kershaw was dead, but the detectives find links suggesting that he may still be alive.

The investigation leads them to a government official named Julian Storrs, who is revealed to have had connections with the spy ring during the Cold War. Storrs admits to fearing for his life if the truth about the ring was ever uncovered. When he confesses that he had a part in the murders, Morse and Lewis realize that there is a connection to someone much higher up in the government ranks.

As the investigation approaches its climax, Morse and Lewis are faced with the ominous threat of the last enemy, which is death. The detectives race against time to uncover the real killer before they become the next victim.

The Last Enemy is a gripping episode that dives deep into the murky world of espionage and betrayal. Colin Dexter's script is masterfully crafted, with a range of twists and turns that keep the audience engaged until the very end. The episode features excellent performances from Kevin Whately as Lewis and John Thaw as Morse, who demonstrate their chemistry and professionalism as they work to solve the case.

In conclusion, The Last Enemy is one of the most captivating episodes of Inspector Morse, offering gripping suspense, a complex plot and a satisfying resolution. It is a must-watch for fans of the series and lovers of the detective drama genre.