Endeavour (2012-2022) is the prequel to the Inspector Morse television series. The years covered are 1965 to 1972. Shaun Evans plays the young Endeavour Morse, early in his career with the Oxford City Police, first as a detective constable, then as a detective sergeant. Russell Lewis wrote the Endeavour series, based on the character created by Colin Dexter in the Inspector Morse books. Barrington Pheloung scored the music. ITV commissioned the series, and Amazon Prime streams it currently.
Arcadia, Season 3, Episode 2, tells the story of the attempted extortion of an Oxford supermarket, which results in murders and a kidnapping. Set in 1967, hippie communes, Oxford University students, action painting, Green Stamps and apartheid protests also figure into the plot. Bryan Higgins directed the episode.
Morse reveals his Quaker background in Arcadia. Leo Richardson is the owner of the supermarket while Ivor Maddox is the manager. The Richardsons are lapsed Friends, though Leo’s daughter still attends Meeting. The Maddoxs remain Friends. Morse goes to the “Friends House” to speak to Prudence Maddox about the case. After Meeting for Worship, he explains that he was raised a Quaker but only went to Meeting because his mother would have been hurt if he had refused. He notes, sadly, “Still your mind, Mother would say, that was the point. (I) never had the knack”. He is now an atheist. The Jordans Quaker Meetinghouse served as the location for the scene.
I have always enjoyed the Inspector Morse books and television shows. It was a delight to discover Morse’s Friendly roots.
Gary Sandman