TELEVISION / Reviews of the week

Epitaphs for Inspector Morse: 'He is going out at, or close to, his peak; not many of television's immortals have been so lucky . . . It would be nice to report that he left on a high note, but 'The Twilight of the Gods' fell so far short of vintage Morse that it only confirmed the wisdom of pensioning him off.' Max Davidson, Daily Telegraph.

'Morse was the best, or at least the best company, of them (TV cops) all . . . Come on, Central TV, bribe or blackmail the old curmudgeon back on to our screens on a regular basis.' Benedict Nightingale, Times.

'A series that came in with a bang went out in a whimper, with a plot containing more cliches than a Daily Express editorial.' John Naughton, Observer.

'Perhaps the best, and certainly one of the best-loved, detective series ever produced by British television.' Peter Paterson, Daily Mail.

'With millions of viewers and a whacking salary, Thaw would be mad to retire. Central TV are having us on: wait till Christmas]' Compton Miller, Daily Express.

'There was a lump in my throat as Morse chugged off into the sunset last night.' Pam Francis, Today.

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