Ep 3. Dark Matter

In the season 3 episode 3 of the Masterpiece: Inspector Lewis entitled Dark Matter, Inspector Lewis and his partner Sergeant Hathaway investigate a string of murders that appear to be connected to the world of academia. The episode opens with the death of a scientist at Oxford University who was working on a top-secret project involving dark matter. The investigation quickly leads Lewis and Hathaway to the Institute of Advance Physics where the victim was employed, and where they discover several other scientists with ties to the project have also died under mysterious circumstances.

As Lewis and Hathaway delve deeper into the world of high-level physics, they encounter a range of suspects with motives that are not immediately obvious. They meet a group of students who were working with the scientists and are keeping quiet about what they know; the victims' colleagues, some of whom may have been involved in a cover-up; and a journalist who is pursuing a story about the project and was last seen with one of the victims. The detectives need to navigate through the different layers of deception, secrecy, and academic politics in order to get to the bottom of the case.

The script also explores the personal lives of Lewis and Hathaway, which are not immune to the effects of the case. Lewis is dealing with the revelation of a family secret, and Hathaway's views on science and religion are put to the test as he tries to make sense of the events leading up to the murders. The personal struggles of the detectives are skillfully woven into the plot and give the episode an emotional depth that is often lacking in crime dramas.

The pacing of the episode is tight, with each scene revealing something new about the case and building on the tension. As the detectives interview the suspects and find new evidence, they start to piece together a complex web of lies and cover-ups that are at the heart of the case. The clues are cleverly placed throughout the episode, and the resolution of the case is both surprising and satisfying.

Overall, Dark Matter is a compelling and well-written episode of the Masterpiece: Inspector Lewis series. It blends science, mystery, and personal drama into a tight and well-paced story that keeps the viewer engaged from beginning to end. The episode also showcases the outstanding acting of Kevin Whately as Inspector Lewis, who portrays the character with a blend of intelligence and compassion that makes him both engaging and relatable. It is an excellent addition to the series and a must-watch for anyone who enjoys intelligent and character-driven crime dramas.