This post may contain affiliate links. That means if you click and buy, I may receive a small commission (at zero cost to you). Please see my full disclosure policy for details.
Table of Contents
Endeavour Raga Review
While Endeavour Season 7 began with a thrilling first episode of Oracle, this second episode too is thrilling but seems to get darker and darker. Even the case featuring our medium, Jenny Tate (Holli Dempsey) and the arrested Professor Blish (Angus Wright) have been pushed to the side with neither actor appearing in Raga.
There is a short appearance by Carl Sturgis (Sam Ferriday), the jealous boyfriend of our murdered barmaid from Oracle. While he had a solid airtight alibi for the murder, Thursday is still trailing him on his off time. And Thursday also hears the ominous whistling from Oracle during the night on his walks.
But the episode’s main case concerns race issues in 1970 between a group of British caucasian racists and a multi-generational Pakistani family who own and work at The Jolly Rajah, an Indian restaurant in Oxford.
The Roger Allam Connection
A political nominee (Jason Merells) has been stirring up hatred and anger with his race talk and one Pakistani man has been murdered by one of his young followers (played by Roger Allam’s own son, William Allam) whose mother is played by real-life mother and wife of Roger Allam, Rebecca Saire, who previously appeared in the 2018 episode, “Colours”.
The second murdered Pakistani man, a Mr. Aziz (Raj Awasti), is murdered on his delivery rounds for The Jolly Rajah in a flat belonging to food critic, Oberon Prince (Neil Roberts). The fact that Mr. Prince was a food critic gives cause for one of the funniest scenes in the episode:
“He orders an Indian meal then butchers the man who delivers it. What is he? A lunatic of some sort?” Bright
“Food critic, sir.” Thursday
“Taking an axe to someone’s head goes beyond expressing dissatisfaction with the service, don’t you say?” Bright
And while we’re on the topic of food, is not anymore curious what Sgt. Strange was trying to cook and who he was making dinner for?
But back to the case – the missing food critic or the racist politician – whose daughter (Emma Cunniffe) is living in Apartment #8 of the same building where Mr. Prince is the resident of #10 – seem to be obvious suspects.
Mr. Aziz’ co-workers at the Indian restaurant are owner Uqbah Sardar (Madhav Sharma), his sons, Dr. Farook Sardar (Sia Allpour), who is romantically involved with the lady in #8, and Salim (Shane Zaza) who is married to the gorgeous Nuha (Hiftu Quasem), and Uqbah’s brother, Rafiq (Pal Aron), who is in charge of the kitchen.
Considering the political climate, the case has to be well received. However, I was hoping that the bad guys and good guys would not be so stereotypical. The murderer does turn out to be a surprise but an illogical one at best.
Ludo and Violetta
The second episode of Endeavour Season 7 – Raga – picks up after the dramatic final scene of Oracle where Ludo introduces Morse to his wife, the mysterious Violetta from Venice. Ah yes, did we see that coming? Part of me did and I wager you did too.
There is something Tom Ripley about our charming Italian gentleman friend of Morse – extremely likable and yet very dangerous too.
As actor Shaun Evans said,
“Perhaps what both [Violetta] and Ludo represent is something [Morse]’s been thirsting for since he left Oxford University – that kind of intellectual rigour.”
But what could this couple have in store for our favorite DS Morse? Nothing good, that’s for sure. Especially when Violetta tries to seduce Morse even after he’s discovered she’s married to a man he calls friend.
“A goodbye might have been polite but nobody died. You don’t owe me anything.” Morse
“Can I see you?” Violetta
“I don’t think so. He’s a friend. Affairs with married women, I’m sorry. It’s just not my scene.”
Morse and Thursday
The relationship between Morse and DCI Thursday (Roger Allam) is continuing to deteriorate which is heartbreaking. In one painful scene, Morse oversteps the bounds of his position with Thursday, and although he apologies, the tension that we saw in Oracle seems to only get worse.
Yet once again Shaun Evans is right when he says,
“It’s interesting because in the later books and the Inspector Morse TV series, Thursday is never mentioned, so we need to give a reason for that. Something begins to happen which is irreconcilable, and we’re seeing the beginnings of that now as this series goes on. I think familiarity breeds contempt. I think both of these guys have been in each other’s pockets for many years now and they’re just getting on each other’s nerves. In their way of doing things, they can’t see the wood for the trees with the other and are starting to fail to see the positives.”
Roger Allam puts it this way,
“Thursday tends to represent gut instinct whilst Morse represents intellect, and though it’s not as if Morse has no gut instinct and feeling and Thursday has no intellect, that’s how they pursue this particular case. Their disagreement over it opens a big split between them which gets wider and wider throughout the series.”
While we know there shall be a Season 8, the question remains – will Morse and Thursday be working together in this upcoming season?
Thankfully, the Endeavour Raga episode does see some positivity because Win and Fred seem to be closer to reconciliation.
When Fred is playing with his birds, Win says,
“I’m here you know, if you want to talk about anything. Whatever it is, you’ll put it right. It’s what you do.”
And your heart just sighs in relief knowing that even if things between Morse and Thursday don’t work out, things will get better between the Thursdays.
Samuel Johnson Literary Reference in Endeavour Raga
When Ludo visits Morse at his home, he says,
“A man needs to keep his friendships in good repair.”
Samuel Johnson, a 17th Century English author, said,
“If a man does not make new acquaintances as he advances through life, he will soon find himself left alone. A man, sir, should keep his friendship in a constant repair.”
What Does Raga Refer to?
In Indian music, RAGA is a pattern of notes having characteristic intervals, rhythms, and embellishments, used as a basis for improvisation.
The Cast of Characters in Endeavour Season 7
Shaun Evans (“Being Julia“)… Morse
Roger Allam (“Les Miserables“)… Thursday
Anton Lesser (“Game of Thrones“)… Bright
James Bradshaw (“Primeval“)… Doctor DeBryn
Sean Rigby (“Gunpowder“)… Strange
Abigail Thaw (“Poirot: Clocks“)… Dorothea
Guest Stars in Endeavour Raga
Stephanie Leonidas (“Killing Jesus“)… Violetta
Ryan Gage (“The Hobbit“)… Ludo
Madhav Sharma… Uqbah Sardar
Sia Allpour… Dr. Farook Sardar
Shane Zaza… Salim
Hiftu Quasem… Nuhu
Pal Aron… Rafiq
Where to Watch Endeavour Raga
Endeavour Season 7 can be found on:
Youtube TV (PBS channel)
Amazon Prime Video (for purchase or as part of a PBS Masterpiece Channel)
Official Website for Endeavour Season 7
Sharing is Caring
Sounds really interesting. I will definitely put this show on my watch list. I’m just finishing watching Harlots. This is next. Thanks!
Thanks for your review, sounds interesting.
I’ve just added this show to my list! Excited to start watching it with my husband soon.. We’ll probably be on season 7 by next week with our tendencies to binge watch.
I’ve actually never heard of Endeavour, but you have me intruigued! I absolutely want to check it out now. Thank you!
This is interesting and I would love to watch this show. Though it does not really show in my country, I will try to see if I can access it via Youtube or Amazon Prime Video. Thank you for sharing about Endeavour.
I haven’t heard of this show before, but it sounds really good! I think I just ay have found my next show to binge watch. 😉
I haven’t really gotten the chance to watch Endeavor Raga. With this review, I feel like we should catch up! Something we would enjoy for zoom movie nights with friends too!
Wow this show sounds really deep! I have never heard of it, but this review makes me want to check it out. With 7 seasons, it sounds like a good quarantine show!!
Wow this is the great watch I like the flow on the story I will definitely add this on my list Thank to this <3
I have to watch this! I live in the States, but with the internet, I’m sure I can find a way to watch. I love British dramas.
I think we are moving towards the shift from Morse working with Fred Thursday, to him starting with the man he later considered his mentor (in Inspector Morse), Desmond McNutt. The character said in Morse that he worked with McNutt when he was a Sergeant, and that is the level he is now at in Endeavour. Fred Thursday is all about gut instinct, McNutt was more about the intellectual side, much like Morse.
Morse had 33 episodes, as did Lewis. If we suppose that Endeavour will follow the same path, we only have a few episodes available for season 8 to complete that arc. Maybe then season will see Morse move to another branch or another station, and begin working with McNutt. Or perhaps Fred Thursday, tired of the darkness and the blood, will retire to spend his days with his wife and his new canary’s, and McNutt will step into his position.
I would love to check it out! I haven’t like heard about it lately! It was in rage a few years back though
I have not heard of the Endeavour Raga. But I like the review, will check it out!
Well, Now I want to watch it! This looks like a great show so I will definitely watch this eventually!!.
This review made me curious to watch this show. Thanks dear, I need another interesting series to keep me company.
I have not heard of this before but it looks really good. I wonder if Americans can watch.
This is a brand new show to me. I am in the US so I would like to see if we have access to this.
PBS is the channel here in the States. and all previous seasons are on Amazon Prime Video.
I am so far behind on these things. I would love to give this one a go.
A lot of people don’t know about this show. Endeavour is a British television detective drama series that has just aired its seventh season, I stop watching after season 3! I need to catch up.
I’ve never heard of this show before, but it sounds really interesting. Thank you for posting where we can watch it!
I haven’t watched Endeavour yet. I’m surprise that it’s already season 7. I need to catch up on seasons 1-6 first. 🙂
I haven’t watched Endeavour yet. I’m surprise that it’s already season 7. I need to catch up on seasons 1-6 first.
This looks like a great show. I havent hear this before but this sounds so awesome. I will definitely watch this.