Apollo

This episode sees Morse back in CID at Oxford but as the evidence officer rather than actually investigating... at least officially. Set shortly before the Apollo 11 a young astrophysics professor is found dead in a crashed car along with an unknown young woman. At first glance one might suspect it was a tragic accident but it is clear that the woman was dead before the accident and the car had been tampered with. As Thursday is on 'light duties' following a run in with a pair of crooks he ends up working with Morse. There are several anomalies to be investigated... why was the professor driving somebody else's car and why does he have another set of car keys, also not his, in his pocket?

While I didn't think this was quite as good as the season's opening episode I still thought it was rather fun. The central mystery was solid; I liked the fact that its link to the moon landings was only ever tangential; the professor did present a TV programme on the subject but his work as an advisor on a sci-fi puppet show was more important. This provided as good excuse to show some 'Thunderbirds' style puppets that anybody growing up in the '60s of '70s are likely to find nostalgic. As the investigation progresses various suspects and motives emerge to keep the viewer guessing. Away from the central mystery the office politics continues; it is clear that Box isn't pleased to have Morse back in CID, doesn't want him investigating and will take credit for any breakthroughs Morse makes. The episode also hints at a larger case that will no doubt become more important in future episodes. Overall I'd say this was a solid enough episode that fans of the series should enjoy.