# Inspector Morse, Inspector Lewis... Inspector Hathaway? **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [September 20, 2016, 3:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/inspector-morse-inspector-lewis-inspector-hathaway/766410 "2016-09-20T03:46:33Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 17\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Johnny\_L.A](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnny_l.a/32/1084_2.png) [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)\ **Post date:** [September 20, 2016, 3:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/inspector-morse-inspector-lewis-inspector-hathaway/766410/1 "2016-09-20T03:46:33Z")
_Inspector Morse_ ran from 1987 to 2000. _Inspector Lewis_ ran from 2006 to 2015. It seems that in _Inspector Lewis_ they’re setting up for another series staring Laurence Fox as Inspector Hathaway. Will there be an _Inspector Hathaway_ series, do you think? ---
**Author:** ![RealityChuck](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/realitychuck/32/195_2.png) [@RealityChuck](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RealityChuck)\ **Post date:** [September 20, 2016, 12:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/inspector-morse-inspector-lewis-inspector-hathaway/766410/2 "2016-09-20T12:59:13Z")
It seems a logical progression. ---
**Author:** ![Morgyn](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/morgyn/32/3041_2.png) [@Morgyn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Morgyn)\ **Post date:** [September 20, 2016, 4:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/inspector-morse-inspector-lewis-inspector-hathaway/766410/3 "2016-09-20T16:51:42Z")
That’d be fun, actually. I like the Hathaway character. And perhaps Lewis could show up from time to time. ---
**Author:** ![TreacherousCretin](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/treacherouscretin/32/476_2.png) [@TreacherousCretin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TreacherousCretin)\ **Post date:** [September 20, 2016, 6:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/inspector-morse-inspector-lewis-inspector-hathaway/766410/4 "2016-09-20T18:25:52Z")
Inspector Hathaway? My wife and I both hope so, but think **Lewis** has set the bar awfully high. Laurence Fox is a gifted actor, but what made Lewis even more special was the “chemistry” (I hate having to use that cliche) between Fox, Whately, and Holman. ---
**Author:** ![Morbo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/morbo/32/389_2.png) [@Morbo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Morbo)\ **Post date:** [September 20, 2016, 7:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/inspector-morse-inspector-lewis-inspector-hathaway/766410/5 "2016-09-20T19:36:25Z")
I hope so, I eat these up like catnip. I also like _Endeavour_. If Lewis isn’t around, they’ll need some good casting to find someone for him to work with / against. ---
**Author:** ![Johnny\_L.A](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnny_l.a/32/1084_2.png) [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)\ **Post date:** [September 20, 2016, 7:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/inspector-morse-inspector-lewis-inspector-hathaway/766410/6 "2016-09-20T19:56:00Z")
> [@TreacherousCretin](#): > > Laurence Fox is a gifted actor, but what made Lewis even more special was the “chemistry” (I hate having to use that cliche) between Fox, Whately, and Holman. Lewis was always a bit of a goof. In his own show, he continued being a goof’. Though he certainly learned his stuff under Morse, his old-fashioned policing caused friction. Hathaway always seemed a bit dour to me, but they filled out his character pretty well. So. We had the very intelligent Inspector Morse, and his goofy sidekick Lewis. Then we had the more-serious, but still goofy because of his old-school detecting, Inspector Lewis, teamed up with a dour, chain-smoking, ex-seminary student. Who is also brilliant. I think that if there is an _Inspector Hathaway_, the Inspector’s subordinate should be his as Lewis was to Morse. ---
**Author:** ![Telperion](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/telperion/32/509_2.png) [@Telperion](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Telperion)\ **Post date:** [September 20, 2016, 8:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/inspector-morse-inspector-lewis-inspector-hathaway/766410/7 "2016-09-20T20:55:12Z")
> [@Johnny\_L.A](#): > > So. We had the very intelligent Inspector Morse, and his goofy sidekick Lewis. Then we had the more-serious, but still goofy because of his old-school detecting, Inspector Lewis, teamed up with a dour, chain-smoking, ex-seminary student. Who is also brilliant. I think that if there is an _Inspector Hathaway_, the Inspector’s subordinate should be his as Lewis was to Morse. The most obvious new sidekick would be Maddox, but I’m not really sure how that might work out. ---
**Author:** ![ThelmaLou](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thelmalou/32/390_2.png) [@ThelmaLou](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ThelmaLou)\ **Post date:** [September 20, 2016, 10:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/inspector-morse-inspector-lewis-inspector-hathaway/766410/8 "2016-09-20T22:24:00Z")
> [@TreacherousCretin](#): > > Inspector Hathaway? My wife and I both hope so, but think **Lewis** has set the bar awfully high. Laurence Fox is a gifted actor, but what made Lewis even more special was the “chemistry” (I hate having to use that cliche) between Fox, Whately, and Holman. This. As much as I love Hathaway, on his own…nah. He needs a foil, or to be a foil. One of my favorite moments of every episode is when Lewis and Hathaway exchange a few _bons mots_ at the end after they’ve solved the case. Reminiscent of the last few moments of TOS episodes when Kirk, Spock, and McCoy would stand around the bridge and drop a few dry witticisms. > [@Telperion](#): > > The most obvious new sidekick would be Maddox, but I’m not really sure how that might work out. Not Maddox. I really can’t imagine who would be a good partner for Hathaway. _\_ ---
**Author:** ![TreacherousCretin](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/treacherouscretin/32/476_2.png) [@TreacherousCretin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TreacherousCretin)\ **Post date:** [September 20, 2016, 11:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/inspector-morse-inspector-lewis-inspector-hathaway/766410/9 "2016-09-20T23:36:01Z")
As long as we’re here… did anyone else notice the way they bookended the series? Early in First Episode: Lewis enters airport, looking for his ride to the police station, spots Hathaway holding a handwritten sign that says “LEWIS”; End of Final Episode: Lewis and Laura are at home waiting for the taxi that will take them to the airport, Hathaway appears outside by the car, holding a handwritten sign that says “LEWIS.” The sign is even handwritten in the same distinctive font. I can’t be the only one who noticed this. ---
**Author:** ![Little\_Nemo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/little_nemo/32/3120_2.png) [@Little\_Nemo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Little_Nemo)\ **Post date:** [September 20, 2016, 11:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/inspector-morse-inspector-lewis-inspector-hathaway/766410/10 "2016-09-20T23:39:21Z")
If Hathaway becomes an Inspector, Mr Drysdale is in trouble. She knew all his secrets. ---
**Author:** ![urban1a](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/e47c2d/32.png) [@urban1a](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/urban1a)\ **Post date:** [September 21, 2016, 1:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/inspector-morse-inspector-lewis-inspector-hathaway/766410/11 "2016-09-21T01:39:02Z")
I also enjoyed all 3 series and especially liked the Hathaway character. One thing I never got clear, though, was his sexual orientation. Early in the Inspector Lewis series, one of the episodes dealt with well known homosexuals, who Hathaway was well acquainted with. Toward the end of the episode, Lewis asked Hathaway, pretty directly, whether he was gay or not and I never quite understood whether he indicated that he was or was not. Not that it matters, of course, but his bearing always seemed gay to me (it’s a gaydar thing). Bob ---
**Author:** ![ThelmaLou](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thelmalou/32/390_2.png) [@ThelmaLou](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ThelmaLou)\ **Post date:** [September 21, 2016, 2:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/inspector-morse-inspector-lewis-inspector-hathaway/766410/12 "2016-09-21T02:05:43Z")
> [@urban1a](#): > > I also enjoyed all 3 series and especially liked the Hathaway character. One thing I never got clear, though, was his sexual orientation. Early in the Inspector Lewis series, one of the episodes dealt with well known homosexuals, who Hathaway was well acquainted with. Toward the end of the episode, Lewis asked Hathaway, pretty directly, whether he was gay or not and I never quite understood whether he indicated that he was or was not. Not that it matters, of course, but his bearing always seemed gay to me (it’s a gaydar thing). > > Bob The episode you’re referring to is [“Life Born of Fire.”](http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1192517/?ref_=ttep_ep3) Hathaway’s good friend from the past turned out to be gay, and the basis of their falling-out was the fact that Hathaway condemned his friend for it in a fit of religious righteousness. James’s answer to Lewis was indeed ambiguous, but I think his intent was to convey to Lewis that it didn’t matter, because he was so eaten up with guilt. In ["The Dead of Winter,"](http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1577965/?ref_=ttep_ep1)Hathaway sleeps with his childhood friend Scarlett from Crevecoeur, the estate where he spent his first 12 years. In [“The Point of Vanishing,”](http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1392905/) we find out that James had an ongoing relationship with colleague Fiona McKendrick before James was paired with Lewis. When Fiona is promoted and transferred, James spends her last night in town with her. I’m keepin’ my eye on him. He’s not gay. 😉 ---
**Author:** ![lynne-42](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lynne-42/32/3138_2.png) [@lynne-42](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lynne-42)\ **Post date:** [September 21, 2016, 6:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/inspector-morse-inspector-lewis-inspector-hathaway/766410/13 "2016-09-21T06:47:02Z")
This is the best thread for ages. I hadn’t thought of the possibility of Hathaway - I merely mourned the end of the series. Loved them all. Would love more. Anyone here with the power make it happen? Or the inside knowledge? ---
**Author:** ![williambaskerville](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/f14d63/32.png) [@williambaskerville](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/williambaskerville)\ **Post date:** [September 21, 2016, 1:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/inspector-morse-inspector-lewis-inspector-hathaway/766410/14 "2016-09-21T13:15:30Z")
> [@ThelmaLou](#): > > In ["The Dead of Winter,"](http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1577965/?ref_=ttep_ep1)Hathaway sleeps with his childhood friend Scarlett from Crevecoeur, the estate where he spent his first 12 years. By the way, did we spot that Endeavour had business in Crevecoeur in 1 episode, and met Hathaway’s father ? ---
**Author:** ![ThelmaLou](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thelmalou/32/390_2.png) [@ThelmaLou](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ThelmaLou)\ **Post date:** [September 21, 2016, 11:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/inspector-morse-inspector-lewis-inspector-hathaway/766410/15 "2016-09-21T23:38:00Z")
> [@williambaskerville](#): > > By the way, did we spot that Endeavour had business in Crevecoeur in 1 episode, and met Hathaway’s father ? Yes, it was the episode “[Prey](http://www.imdb.com/title/tt4839470/).” This is from the [IMDB message board:](http://www.imdb.com/title/tt2701582/board/thread/258999134?d=258999134#258999134) > [@](#): > > Yes, Philip Hathaway was indeed supposed to be James’s father. James wouldn’t have been born until the early 1980s, most likely, or perhaps the very late 1970s, so he wasn’t yet a gleam in his father’s eye. > > The baby in the pram certainly wasn’t Philip’s child. Philip was a mere estate worker and the child belonged to one of the Mortmaigne daughters, Julia, who had been widowed on her honeymoon and presumably gave birth to her husband’s posthumous child. No hint that Philip and Lady Julia (her proper title) had any sort of connection at all. Philip, who was probably still in his teens, seemed to have a crush on the younger sister, Lady Georgina (or Georgiana), called “George” by their older brother. There are some good discussions of _Lewis_ and _Endeavour_ on the IMDB. ---
**Author:** ![urban1a](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/e47c2d/32.png) [@urban1a](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/urban1a)\ **Post date:** [September 22, 2016, 1:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/inspector-morse-inspector-lewis-inspector-hathaway/766410/16 "2016-09-22T01:13:08Z")
Thanks for the clarification **ThelmaLou**. I guess I missed a few shows, although I tried to watch them all. Or maybe, I just spaced them out (or skipped though the sex parts like I did the lesbian sex scenes in ‘Queer As Folk’. Hopefully all of these will become available on some streaming service (preferably Netflix). I dislike watching stuff on Amazon. The UI seems a bit clunky. Bob ---
**Author:** ![ThelmaLou](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thelmalou/32/390_2.png) [@ThelmaLou](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ThelmaLou)\ **Post date:** [September 22, 2016, 1:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/inspector-morse-inspector-lewis-inspector-hathaway/766410/17 "2016-09-22T01:15:57Z")
I bought the boxed set of \*Lewis \*(which includes the Pilot, not available on amazon streaming), and I’ve watched each of them probably 10 times. I just like hanging out with those guys. (And, no, I don’t have a life. Hehe.)