This is a superb episode in the Morse canon and improves upon repeated viewing. The direction and camera work is wonderful, full of quirky angles, dark lighting, riveting close-ups, unusual tracking shots. The later episodes in this brilliant show were a little more bland and safe regarding the cinematography. It's certainly not a weak episode, but definitely one of the more challenging ones. It has a great late 80's feel to it.. the grey summer, the parked 80's cars, the females dresses and hair styles. John Thaw and Kevin Whately play their respective roles with realism and warmth. I think I prefer this earlier version of Thaw's Morse rather than the pompous and aloof persona of the later episodes.