- [Morse denies that he is deliberately avoiding a senior officer]
- Chief Inspector Morse: I'm not running away from Superintendent Dewar, Lewis - I'm just respecting his space.
- Chief Inspector Morse: I can't handle drugs. I can't figure out why they do it. It's beyond me.
- Detective Sergeant Lewis: Oh, come on. You know. People, kids, down sometimes, I suppose. The same reason you drink beer.
- Chief Inspector Morse: Beer is food.
- Detective Sergeant Lewis: It is with you.
- Chief Inspector Morse: That's what we do to clergymen sometimes... insult Christ through them. And they wilt under it.
- Chief Inspector Morse: [First lines] Hello, Jane.
- Jane Robson: Oh, hello.
- Chief Inspector Morse: Sorry I'm late. How is your father? It was a rather disturbing exhibition, actually. Some very powerful images of the crucified Christ.
- Alex Robson: [Last lines] It was embarrassing with grandfather. He was embarrassing. Everybody looked.
- Chief Inspector Morse: I knew him. We used to take him to concerts, your aunt and I. A few. I don't know whether he enjoyed them or not. He used to cry. I often cry at concerts, don't you?
- Alex Robson: I've never been to a concert.
- Chief Inspector Morse: Oh, you must go!