Foyle's War (series one)
Series One of the ITV programme Foyle's War was first aired in 2002. It comprised four episodes. It is set in Spring/Summer 1940. Series One was broadcast in the United States on PBS on Masterpiece Theatre on February 2, 9, 16 and 23, 2003 as Foyle's War.
"The German Woman"
| Writer: Anthony Horowitz |
Director: Jeremy Silberston |
Airdate: 27 October 2002 |
Set: May, 1940 |
Episode 1 (1:1) |
| Guests: Robert Hardy, Rosamund Pike, Edward Fox, David Horovitch, Joanna Kanska, Andrew Powell, Paul Putner, Tom Chadbon, Neil Conrich, Sam Troughton, James McAvoy |
| Detective Chief Superintendent Christopher Foyle's request for government service is disallowed and he returns to local police work in Hastings where he has assigned the driver Samantha Stewart. It is early in the war, the bombing of England has commenced, feelings are running high, and local aliens are being interned. Foyle asks Paul Milner, an injured ex-serviceman to be his assistant. Investigating the vicious murder of the German wife of the local magistrate, Foyle finds espionage and corruption.[1][2] |
Character and plot development
Historical context
- In the background, we learn that this is set very shortly after the German invasion of Norway (and Denmark), with Milner being a survivor from the BEF to Northern Norway and the Battles of Trondheim and Narvik.
Cast notes
- William is played by Cassian Horowitz, the son of series creator Anthony Horowitz
"The White Feather"
| Writer: Anthony Horowitz |
Director: Jeremy Silberston |
Airdate: 3 November 2002 |
Set: May, 1940 |
Episode 2 (1:2) |
| Guests: Charles Dance, Maggie Steed, Paul Brooke, Bernard Kay, Patrick Godfrey, Ian Hogg |
| Early in the war, the future looks bleak for England - invasion and defeat seem imminent. Paul Milner meets Guy Spencer, charismatic Nazi sympathizer, politician, and conman. At a local hotel, The White Feather, Spencer leads a meeting of the pro-Hitler Friday Club at which the domineering hotel manageress is shot dead. Foyle and Milner investigate, Milner feeling the conflicts between his allegiances and fears, set against the backdrop of the Allies' retreat from Dunkirk.[1][2] |
Character and plot development
- This episode shows Milner starting back at work as a detective sergeant. He has recently acquired his artificial leg, and still requires two crutches to aid him. His wife, Jane, expresses a great dislike for his leg.
- Sam tells Foyle that her father is a Vicar; he appears in the episode "Eagle Day".
- Sam is very pleased to be invited by Foyle to tea at the Crescent, and eats more than her share of the food ordered. Her interest in food continues to be shown in other episodes.
- Foyle receives a letter from his son, Andrew (a voice-over by the uncredited Julian Ovenden) who speaks about his training, and eating haggis (to hint at his location).
Historical context
- This episode is set in the days leading up to the Battle of Dunkirk. Through the dialogue of the characters, we hear of the fall of Brussels and the German advance. We see the characters attend church for a 'National day of prayer' as the situation worsens. The episode ends with the Allied evacuation of Dunkirk.
- The story involves a (fictional) political organisation "The Friday Club" which is likened by one of the characters to the (historical) British Union of Fascists. The arrest of the BUF leader Sir Oswald Mosley is also mentioned; this occurred in May 1940, when the BUF was banned. The fascists were known for their Anti-Semitism, and their political allegiance to Germany.
- One of the plot devices rests on a letter stolen from the Foreign Office; it purports to be from Lord Halifax, well known for his desire for appeasement.
Cast notes
- 'Woolton' is the name Robert Wolf assumes when staying at the White Feather. However, that is the name used in the credits for the character and his nephew Isaac, even though Isaac never used the pseudonym.
- Maggie Steed, seen recently in Pie in the Sky as Mrs. Crabbe, plays Margaret Ellis.
"A Lesson in Murder"
| Writer: Anthony Horowitz |
Director: David Thacker |
Airdate: 10 November 2002 |
Set: June, 1940 |
Episode 3 (1:3) |
| Guests: Allan Corduner, Oliver Ford Davies, Sophia Myles, David Tennant, Cheryl Campbell |
| A conscientious objector loses his appeal and is later found dead in his cell. At the house of the judge who sentenced him, a young evacuee is killed by a booby-trap in the summerhouse. Foyle's investigation reveals a relationship between the judge's daughter, Susan, and a local worker, Peter. While guarding the judge, Milner is caught in an apparently compromising position by the judge and forced to leave - another murder follows as Foyle considers the actual purpose of the factory at which Peter works.[1][2] |
Character and plot development
- Paul Milner is seen limping, and uses one walking stick; it appears he is becoming accustomed to his false leg. However, his wife, Jane, continues to be upset by it. She leaves him, saying she is going to stay with her sister Kate in Wales.
- We hear of Foyle's long-standing friendship with Carlo Lucciano, the restaurant owner, which dates back to when Foyle was married.
- Foyle mentions that his son Andrew is undergoing pilot training with the RAF in Scotland.
- Tony Lucciano asks Sam to be 'his girl' and write to him while he is serving. She appears a little reluctant but agrees to do this. There is no reference to Tony after this episode.
Historical context
- The plot centres around an eleven-year-old boy who was evacuated from London. In June 1939, 800,000 schoolchildren were evacuated to the country from London and other main cities. However, as a coastal town, Hastings was preparing for invasion, and in June 1940, the setting of this story, vulnerable civilians were evacuated from southern and eastern coastal areas of Britain.
- At the end of the episode, it is heard that Italy has declared war on Britain and France. This occurred on 10 June 1940.
Cast notes
"Eagle Day"
| Writer: Anthony Horowitz |
Director: Jeremy Silberston |
Airdate: 17 November 2002 |
Set: August 1940 |
Episode 4 (1:4) |
| Guests: Hugh Lloyd, Anthony Calf, Stephen Moore |
| Foyle's son Andrew returns from RAF training to a posting at a local radar station where all is not well. A local lorry driver is found murdered, a gold locket in his hand. Foyle wonders whether artworks transported by the driver are all that they seem, while Andrew's inquiries reveal the reason for poor morale at the radar station and another murder. Against this, Sam Stewart's father tries to take Sam away from the apparently untoward influences of police work.[1][2] |
Character and plot development
- Andrew Foyle is assigned low level flying duty to help calibrate the new British technology of RDF (radar) and finds himself embroiled in the cover-up of a suicide scandal.
- Paul Milner now walks without the use of a cane.
Historical context
Production details
Critical reception
Notes
See also