As this episode opens we see a popular television police show, which we later learn is filmed in Oxford. The action then returns to the real world and a group of wealthy students are behaving obnoxiously... this escalates as they attack a tramp. The next day his body is found. His isn't the only mystery for the police to deal with. A uniformed officer is found dead; he looks familiar but his ID number doesn't match anybody from the Oxford area. Elsewhere an artist is reported missing. As the investigation progresses it looks as if there may be connections between the crimes... and a dangerous link to previous events.
I thought this was a really good episode. The opening was fun then we quickly get into multiple mysteries that may or may not be linked and a growing sense of danger as Morse suspects a link to a case everybody involved hoped was over; certainly many people are determined that Morse won't start looking in that direction. The antagonists are an interesting mix. A group of posh students whose antics appear to be inspired by 'A Clockwork Orange', even if it isn't explicitly stated. Corrupt officers who violently try to warn Morse off his investigation and a murderer whose motive is far from obvious. The plots, both ones that only last this episode and those lasting over multiple episodes are intriguing. As always the cast does a really fine job. Overall another great episode; it is just a shame that the series will soon be over.