THE CROSSOVER OF THE WEEK!

'LEWIS' & 'MORSE'

The big crossover from last week was actually a spin-off. It was shown on ITV in Great Britain, but I don't know if it will ever be seen here.

It was titled 'Lewis' and it featured Detective Sergeant Robbie Lewis who used to assist Inspector Morse. They worked together in thirty movie-length episodes, up until six years ago when both 'Morse' and the actor who played him, (John Thaw), passed away.

Proving that Time and Life continue for TV shows even when we can't view them, a lot had happened to Lewis in that six year hiatus. His wife had been killed in a hit-and-run case three years ago, and he accepted an overseas posting to escape his grief. Upon his return, there appeared to be nothing open for him except as a trainer of police recruits - not a very bright future ahead, to be sure.

And then he got caught up in the murder investigation of a mathematical genius, which was lucky for Lewis.... For the victim, not so much.

Lewis got his own assistant in James Hathaway who brought his own spin on the sidekick role, in that he was a former student of theology.

And in a way, the spirit of 'Morse' was invoked by some of the clues he left behind, in files on a similar murder case from years before.

This was a one-off (not be to be confused with "one off the wrist"), a pilot in the American vernacular, to see if a spin-off series would be viable.

Even though 'Morse' could be felt throughout, it appears the creators were able to make 'Lewis' stand out on his own - but have him use a few tricks from his personal Obi-Wan Kenobi.

[Many thanks to Martin Conaghan, who filed a report at TVSquad.com]

BCnU!
Tele-Toby