The Daughters of Cain (TV)

"The Daughters of Cain" is an episode of the British television detective mystery show Inspector Morse dramatized on ITV. It was first broadcast in November 1996.

Set-up

Dr. Felix McClure (Bernard Brown), a retired university don, is found stabbed to death in his apartment. The phone number of "Kay" is found in McClure's notes.

Investigation

Detective Chief Inspector Morse and Detective Sergeant Lewis begin investigating McClure's college associates and students. These include Ted Brooks (Tony Haygarth), his former scout, who was sacked by McClure for apparent drug dealing; Matthew Rodway, a student who died in questionable circumstances; and Ashley Davies, another student and friend of Rodway, who trains racehorses at Seven Barrows near Lambourn, and was rusticated by McClure. They discover that Ted Brooks' wife Brenda (Gabrielle Lloyd) had been physically and emotionally abused by Ted for years. Brenda's daughter Kay (Amanda Ryan), who is a high-class escort, and who is engaged to Ashley, was also abused by her stepfather, Ted, when she lived at home. Morse interviews Kay about her relationship with Felix and Ted. Morse also questions Julia Stevens (Phyllis Logan), a school teacher and very close friend of Brenda, who is dying of a brain tumor.

Conclusion

Morse suspects Ted Brooks killed McClure, but his body is found in a river. Brenda Brooks confesses to destroying evidence that incriminates her husband in the death of McClure. Julia Stevens confesses to killing Ted Brooks in a letter to Morse to be opened upon her death. Morse and Lewis disagree on whether Kay and Brenda should be charged for any crime or whether to search for a possible accomplice (Kevin Costyn Shane Hickmott), who they know must have helped Julia and Brenda. Pressure to economize on the investigation plays a role.

See also

• The Daughters of Cain the novel

References

• The Daughters of Cain at the Internet Movie Database