Shaun Evans Looks Back

- What elements of light sustain Morse?

Well, I think the things that would spring to mind: classical music, poetry, puzzles, crossword puzzles, logic, lateral thinking.

I think those are the places from where he draws his optimism.

I would say.

- Look, an attractive woman.

- Oh, yeah, I mean... (laughs) - It's funny, isn't it?

Because now we're deep into the chaos of his feelings for Joan.

She's the love of his life, I think, in a way.

And so we're, everything's driving towards that.

- And you're all right, are you?

- Oh, yes.

- You've been away.

- Ah, yeah.

- People always say, "What's going on with you and Joan?"

"Oh ay, when are you gonna ask that girl out?

Just tell her.

Just tell her."

I think he is a complicated person.

Perhaps losing his mum really early, there's no one who can take that place, is there, you know?

And I think it's always gonna be flawed, and how much booze numbs that.

All of the knocks that he's had, I think have built up a skin and a protective distance from people.

And I think after a certain point it becomes difficult to break through that, I would say.

Also, you know this is like late sixties, early seventies, where we weren't speaking in the same way that we do now about our feelings, about things, and being honest about our attitudes towards things, you know?

And how cognizant is he of his deep subconscious wants and desires, you know?

And how much easier perhaps it is to listen to music and have those operatic feelings, but without actually having them, you know.

Having them at a safe distance.

- Mind how you go.

- I was reading Colin Dexter's books again recently, and the last one feels very Morse-y.

Do you know what I mean?

It feels very like something that Colin would've written, I think.

In each one is a puzzle.

There's a bit of, you know, Greek and Latin in it, and it really gets the gray matter of Morse working and plays to all of his strengths.

I see it as like Endeavour as a still point in this turning world.

And so all of the relationship with Thursday has passed through, the relationship with Joan Strange all the manifestations of that, all of the crimes, the things with Dorothea, the heartbreaks and the highs.

But for him to be stoically just at the center of it.

While everything moves along and everyone's life changes, and his remains the same.

The saddest things are when you go, "God, I didn't appreciate that while it was happening."

I think that sort of happens for Endeavour as well.

He didn't, he was constantly fighting and battling with himself really.

And then all of a sudden it's gone.

It's done.

- And cut.

Let's give that another whirl, please my friends.