Having set the crossword competition for a group of visiting foreign students, Morse attends the college dinner to present a prize. Proceedings are halted, when Japanese student Yukio Li is found dead, having been killed in a seemingly ritualistic manner.
One of those episodes that I think you somehow need to be in the mood for, other episodes like Masonic Mysteries, Driven to Distraction etc. I could watch anytime, not this one. It's a good storyline, if the anti Japanese feeling is a little strong. It's the characters I have some issue with, none are particularly appealing, warm or endearing. Jane is certainly unpleasant, trying at every opportunity to escape Morse's constant attention. Sir Wilfred Mulryne is utterly odious, and as for the Welsh porter!!
Even though I didn't care for the characters, that's not to say the performances aren't up to scratch. I think Anna Calder Marshall is excellent, you almost see Jane building to that crescendo, her eventual outburst. Avis Bunnage is also superb, an actress I know little of, other then seeing her as the wonderful wife of Rigsby, Veronica.
Strong story, excellent performances, but clunky production values, it looks grainy, doesn't have the slick camera-work you see in later episodes.
I enjoyed it, what i'd call a heavy episode, it's still very, very good though. 8/10