lewis slugs and crawls his way through suspects and never gets to the perp through solving clues but trying everyone for the crime until someone finally fits...he's nowhere near a proper sleuth...he can't even recognize a wonderful woman right under his nose...the reason he spends so much time at his job is because he stinks at it
shareLewis has always been complementary to his partner. Morse was the better detective, and Lewis was the better policeman (i.e., worked better with the organizational structure). With Hathaway it's much the same: James has the education and arcane knowledge, Robbie is more down-to-earth, and sometimes picks up on things that Hathaway misses.
Judging Lewis's abilities depends a lot on what your expectations are.
IMO Lewis was a far better police officer than Morse, who became famous in Thames Valley police from his early days as being a brilliant, quirky detective. At the same time he was often a shambles as a police officer with one or both feet in his mouth while offending coworkers and management alike. What Endeavor Morse learned in that category was due to DI Thursday's oversight, benevolent guidance and Endeavor's respectful affection for Thursday. Dexter created Morse as a dysfunctional person who was capable of feeling love and near impossibility in expressing or demonstrating it.
Morse and James were/are always safe with Robbie since he never exerts his personal power over others except in the case of arresting them. Prior to Inspector Lewis being created, Mr. Dexter said that the TV writers had greatly improved Robbie's character so that he wished he could have taken that improved Sgt. Lewis and replaced the new Robbie for his original creation. It is one of the best and most generous accolades I've ever read.
In one episode conclusion, Chief Superintendent Jean Innocent and Robbie are looking at the presumed guilty party through the one-way window to the examination room. She turns to him saying that he needs to hurry and close the case. Robbie responds with, "I will as soon as I finish thinking, which is what we detectives need to do." He continues to look thoughtfully at the suspect, mental wheels turning calmly, slowly. She sighs with impatience. Robbie leaves to enter the exam room, speaks quietly with the suspect and draws her through a few logical steps as he gently presents the evidence, and ultimately she bows her head in acknowledging her guilt. Innocent had been joined by Hathaway as the scene had progresses. At the end, she looks at James telling him, "Don't say it." His response is that "He's just plain brilliant."
Lewis is a pragmatic, ordinary man compared to either of his intellectually brilliant partners. However, in rewatching Lewis the past couple weeks, it is obvious that he has never been a dummy. Throughout the recent seasons of Inspector Lewis, Robbie comments casually of classical music, providing comments, or recognizing classic quotes. He learned to appreciate many kinds of classics from years of captive listening while in Morse's Jaguar. Morse sent years broadening Robbie's mind on music and literature, evidently leaving his albums to Robbie along with half of his estate. In this way he finally demonstrates his friendship and love for Lewis.
A wonderful ironic dichotomy of all three Dexter-related programs is the nod from the first days in 1987 until the present is Lewis' belief that intelligence and brilliance arrives in many ways and packages with only some being covered in black silk. Many people in this 29+ year fictional detective series of Oxford's Town and Gown quite polarized because of Oxford University's global prestige. Nearly every episode is a send-up/tear-down of the average Oxford Professor, Don, Tutor, or Student who each believe they are innately superior to everyone else on the planet. Robbie hasn't been impressed negatively or positively by status, always liking or disliking specifics about an individual rather than a group.
Morse and Hathaway appreciated Robbie's ability to avoid distraction and to cut through to genuine issues. How many times in each book or TV episode has Morse said, "You've done it, again!" and finally seen something in front of him that he (Morse) had over-thought? When people look at Robbie as being saved by the competence of his partners, I must respond that it is completely the opposite. The idea of Robbie having James as his leader is something that James would find shocking. He clearly holds Lewis in high regard, happily follows his lead, and in turn has been treated with more respect and kindness than Robbie ever received from Morse.
Having completed the Colin Dexter books, all TV shows again for the X time, and the stand-alone TV movies with Morse, Robbie definitely comes off as the strongest and most human in so many ways. He never denies where he is emotionally (or in any other way) as he lives his life, or if he does it is in recognition that he's not ready to deal with it yet; he doesn't continually whine, act sullenly, arrogantly, or makes life miserable for his coworkers like Morse. He won't be pushed and isn't shy about taking time to begin something serious, if he's not ready. Likewise, he listens seriously to the people he trusts and takes to heart their comments.
We can celebrate Endeavor, Morse, and Hathaway being brilliant and enjoy those amazing intellects. Still, at the end of the day Robbie Lewis will always be the easiest man to be around because he accepts and respects himself with all of his imperfections.
It's no wonder that Laura was aware of him first before he was of her.
A Checkered Life speaks of myriad diverse adventures being the rewards of endless curiosity.
Agreed!
shareThanks so much, Caviar!
I have been studying the three programs, reading the novels, and pouring over the "making of stories" as I find them.
What fascinates me is that we each may enter The CyberTwilight Zone and communicate indiscriminately or on purpose with individuals from countries we may never meet.
The silence of our electronic devices provides us with an initial false intimacy that might never be altered. Or, some of us may pierce this fourth wall and become genuine friends who agree and disagree with equal enthusiasm and respect, "still liking each other in the morning". Even fewer might get together to share once in a lifetime special even, such as attending their favorite actor's version of Hamlet being held in a distant theater far, far away from where they live,
Robbie's humanness is incredibly wholesome as he isn't afraid to deal with the hard challenges of life, even when they may take a while in the ring.
A Checkered Life speaks of myriad diverse adventures being the rewards of endless curiosity.
I almost laughed when you cited the scene from "Counter Culture Blues." When I read the OP's post, that was the exact scene I thought of.
"You get a wonderful view from the point of no return." M. von Lipwig
Terry Pratchett (1948–2015)
The bottom line for Morse and James: they were/are always safe with Robbie because since Lewis never uses his personal power over others, especially not people who he loves. He was written this way by Colin Dexter; however, Mr. Dexter said that the TV writers improved on Robbie's character so greatly that he would have loved to that the polished Sgt. Lewis and replaced his original creation with the TV Robbie. It is one of the best and most generous accolades I've ever read. The quote was made prior to Inspector Lewis.
Thanks so much for the responses to my comments on Inspector Lewis, folks. After wading through the Colin Dexter books, then rewatching ALL of the shows again, Robbie is a stand-out. He is not flashy at all, yet is methodical, thoughtful (to everyone and about most things), and dogged in his quiet perseverance to the Quest.
I totally love all the characters (even though I shudder at Endeavor becoming Morse) yet I cherish Lewis for his humanity along with his ability to get the job done!
It was a pleasure to receive the feedback because, often after I have spoken from my heart like with this subject, I begin to think that I've been trolling my inner emotional law nerd too deeply and probably overthinking the issue.
Yet, I really, truly, madly, deeply love British detectives stories far more than those found on this side of the Pond. It began when I was twelve with ACD and Holmes, so the addiction was locked in early.
A Checkered Life speaks of myriad diverse adventures being the rewards of endless curiosity.
Robbie has always been my favorite in this group of related series.
Semper Contendere Propter Amoram et Formam
Beautifully said, A checkered life!
Thank you, McThom.
I've been unemployed for the past several months and unconsciously began a study of the three series, which included reading the novels. I watched each series several times with Endeavor and Lewis being my favorites.
Robbie is the person I am most like emotionally (now) and Endeavor the one most like mentally/emotionally as in my 20s/30s. Do not relate to anything about Morse except love of the classics and opera.
Having gotten in many problems as a young woman for talking about solutions without thinking of time, place, appropriateness, that former part of myself shows up every time I rewatch any episode with the young Morse. Even the last one brought tears for myself as it brought to mind being encouraging to a man I loved deeply who was leaving. His reasons were equally valid and I could not force out the words to ask him to stay. I understand why he let her go while it felt like death. I hated that scene, even though it is taking the high road and eating dust. It was far too accurate and vivid.
Sometimes life provides experiences that we can draw on in understanding others. At the same time, we might wish we could have exchanged the well-won understanding for a different conclusion in a few instances.
A Checkered Life speaks of myriad diverse adventures being the rewards of endless curiosity.
Again, try another show...this one seems to get on your nerves. You don't like it but you watch them all...
sharei think lewis is a good detective. as for the wonderful woman - he has taken a long time to get over the death of his wife. nothing wrong with that. Not everyone recovers quickly from the death of a loved one.
sharelewis slugs and crawls his way through suspects and never gets to the perp through solving clues but trying everyone for the crime until someone finally fits...he's nowhere near a proper sleuth...he can't even recognize a wonderful woman right under his nose...the reason he spends so much time at his job is because he stinks at it
As Morse once said: "You have neither the wit nor imagination to be a good detective".
He was spot on about Lewis - and it shows.
Lewis is a fumbler and a time waster who just stumbles onto clues. A real nonce who lacks any culture or true independent thought.
The number of people who have died whilst Lewis fumbled and mumbled his way to "solving" a crime is astounding. He should have been busted down to DS ages ago for incompetence.
Hathaway is a far more intelligent and capable detective than Lewis could ever hope to be. His only downfall is his emotional sensitivity.
but exactly the same thing happened on Morse. There were often several deaths before Morse worked out who the murderer was. nd he quite often fastened on the wrong suspect. He was no better than Lewis. For that matter, that's what happens on most detective series. and at least Lewis isn't always falling in love with his suspects.
shareAs Morse once said: "You have neither the wit nor imagination to be a good detective".
He was spot on about Lewis - and it shows.
Lewis is a fumbler and a time waster who just stumbles onto clues. A real nonce who lacks any culture or true independent thought.
Lewis is a fumbler and a time waster who just stumbles onto clues. A real nonce who lacks any culture or true independent thought.
That's just about as nasty and wrong piece of text as I have ever seen. It says more about you and what you hope to achieve than it does about a fictional character. And you plainly have no idea what your spiteful words actually mean.... Lewis a "Nonce"..... ridiculous....