Talk:Foyle's War series 1 - Wikipedia

I am copying these from the main page, as they are too long and detailed (contravene copyright and WP:EPISODE style guide. Can be worked on here then returned to the main page.Gwinva 15:33, 4 June 2007 (UTC)Reply

The White Feather

The pre-titles sequence shows a young woman climb a telegraph pole on a country lane and cut the wire. Meanwhile, in London, Sergeant Milner is invited by politician Guy Spencer (Charles Dance) to attend the lecture he is giving on behalf of the 'Friday Club', which is speaking out against the war. As the speech continues, a young man is attacked in a nearby alley.

Following the titles, in Hastings, Foyle is asked by the uniformed superintendent, Hugh Reid (Michael Simkins), to interview the saboteur, Edith Johnstone (Lisa Ellis). Edith tells Foyle that her actions didn't matter as 'they'll be here soon. Heil Hitler'. Foyle visits 'The White Feather' hotel, where Edith worked as a chambermaid. The hoteliers, Arthur and Margaret Ellis (Paul Brooke and Maggie Steed) offer Foyle little information about Edith. After he leaves, Arthur challenges his wife, showing concern that they were breaking the law. 'A week from now there will be no law,' she replies, anticipating a German invasion. The hotel begins to fill with guests for the weekend 'conference', including Alan Fleming (Colin Tierney), Spencer's aide. One guest, Robert Woolton (Bernard Kay) is not attending the meetings, and requested to keep out of the way. Margaret Ellis disapproves of him because he appears Jewish.

Foyle takes Sam to tea at the Cresecent, a hotel in Hastings where Edith used to work. Their waitress (Rebekah Manning) admits knowing Edith and, prompted by Sam, speaks of Edith's boyfriend David. It had been Milner's first day back at work and Sam had earlier helped him organise his paperwork in his office. When he returns home his wife Jane (Mali Harries) expresses the opinion that paperwork 'is all he is good for' and refuses to listen when he tries to tell her about his artificial leg.

The following day, designated a National Day of Prayer for the situation in France, Foyle, Sam and the Milners attend church. Jane Milner expresses her gratitude to Foyle that he gave Milner a job. Understanding the tension between them , Foyle looks at the Milners with concern.

Having discovered Edith's 'David' is a sailor, Milner, Foyle and Sam drive to the waterfront. David Lane (Ed Waters) and his father Ian (Ian Hogg) are working on their boat. David speaks of Edith, claiming she had changed since working at the White Feather, blaming Mrs Ellis and her guests from London. He later goes to th epolice station, wanting to see Edith, who is being held there.

At the White Feather, Guy Spencer arrives, and asks his aide about the other guests; they are concerned by the presence of Woolton. Margaret Ellis and Spencer talk, and Ellis signs some documents with him. Ellis's son Stanley (Tobias Menzies) looks at the guests with disapproval and challenges his father about them. Arthur Ellis admits they are there because his wife wants them, and he just waits for them to go. Stanley tells his father that he had found a gun in Woolton's room. Arthur Ellis later follows Woolton.

Other guests are also seen: Fleming notices David Lane in the garden; guest Rosemary Harwood (Rebecca Charles), who works in London for the Foreign Office, hides a letter in her luggage. Meeting downstairs, the guests speak disapprovingly of the refugees in London, the Jews, and Nazi politics. Spencer delivers another speech, telling his hearers that the British Army are almost destroyed. Most listen intently, but Arthur Ellis fiddles with his pipe, and Stanley remains outside. Suddenly, the lights go out. There is confusion, but Margaret Ellis tells people it is merely a fuse saying they often blow if there are too many lights on. Three shots are heard and, when the lights come on, Margaret is seen to be dead.

Foyle arrives at the White Feather to investigate; he forbids the guests to leave, much to the anger of Sir Ernest and Lady Bannerman (Patrick Godfrey and Amanda Walker). Spencer suggests he works quickly, before the invasion occurs. Spencer explains about the discussion, and states his belief the shots were aimed at him. Arthur Ellis appears upset; he claims he got up to mend the fuse. Stanley said he knew Rosemary Harwood had left the room during the blackout; he smelt her strong perfume. He also tells Foyle about Woolton's gun. Woolton is missing. Before Foyle leaves, Fleming tells him of the man he saw in the garden. He tries to say something else, but is interrupted by Spencer.

Once Foyle has left, Miss Harwood asks Spencer to 'destroy the letter'.

Back at the station, Sgt Milner admits to Foyle that he has met Spencer, and thought him a man with many "original ideas". Checking Robert Woolton's details, they discover the address he gave in London is false. Identifying David Lane from the decription given by Fleming, Foyle and Milner try to apprehend him for questioning, but he escapes. He is later caught.

Tracing Robert 'Woolton' to a shop in Hastings, Foyle discovers his name is really 'Wolf'. He admits that he went to the White Feather to kill Spencer, but his gun was taken. He became frightened after he heard the shots and left. In explanation, he takes Foyle upstairs to see his bed-ridden nephew Isaac, who was assaulted by Spencer's men in London and left in the street. His family are in a German concentration camp. Foyle was watched entering the shop; when he leaves, Sam has gone, and he is invited to accompany two men, who show him identification. The senior official, Tom Baddeley (Geoffrey Church) is from Military Intelligence, and he presents Foyle to his superior, Laswon (Thomas Wheatley). Lawson explains to Foyle that they have been observing the Friday Club, and Fleming is their agent. Lawson considers the shooting "annoying and irrelevant" (which doesn't impress Foyle), but expresses concern about a missing letter from Lord Halifax to the Italian ambassador, which they do not wish to be made public. Lawson asks Foyle to find it.

Meanwhile, Milner has been asked to take Spencer's statement. Spencer turns the conversation towards politics, and lends Milner a book about the Jews, asking him to post it to him later.

Searching the house again, Foyle fails to find the letter, but is able to extricate Fleming by arresting him when he becomes 'threatening'. Fleming is able to talk to Foyle at the station, speaking of the people on the hotel. He knows Spencer had the letter, but not what he did with it. He also informs Foyle that Margaret Ellis signed her share of the hotel over to Spencer. He warns Foyle that Spencer and Milner did not 'meet briefly' in London, but had a meal together. Foyle is not impressed when Milner later defends Spencer; Foyle notices the anti-Semetic book on his desk.

Ian Lane asks Foyle to release his son David, as he needs him to help sail their boat to Dunkirk, to aid the evacuation. He promises to bring him back.

The following day, Stanley Ellis finds his father unconscious on the bed. He is taken to hospital, and Foyle investigates. He notices the disturbed stationery on the desk in the bedroom, glances at the pipe (Stanley remarks that his father doesn't smoke it much) and studies the glass by the bed. He accuses Stanley of lying to him.

Foyle visits Arthur Ellis in hospital, asking him why he tried to commit suicide. Ellis claims he was upset, and found it hard to live without his wife. Foyle asks him if they cured their own meat at the hotel. Surprised by the question, Ellis agrees.

The hotel guests are released, and Spencer arrives at the station requesting the release of his assistant Fleming, and complaining at their three-day detention. Milner apologises. Spencer describes himself as a patriot, and speaks of Foyle's son. "Why should he fight, merely because Hitler invaded Poland?". Foyle is visibly upset.

At the beach, the boats have returned from Dunkirk. Ian Lane is shaken by the events, speaking of the sight of the retreating army, the constant German shelling. He is proud to have brought back 15 soldiers. He brought David back also: and shows Foyle the stretcher with David's body. He was shot while helping the soldiers into the boat. Foyle returns to the station, telling Edith of David's death. He suggests she only became a sabateur to protect her Jewish grandmother: in the event of invasion, Margaret Ellis would then speak for her. Edith agrees: she knew it was wrong. Foyle assures her there won't be an invasion, and lets her go.

Back at the hotel, Foyle again accuses Stanley of lying when he said he touched nothing in his father's room. In fact, he removed the suicide note, to protect him. Foyle goes to the hospital, and arrests Arthur Ellis for the murder of his wife. He stolen Wolf's gun, left all the lights on so the fuse would blow, and put saltpetre in his pipe, so he could place it in front of Margaret and use the glow for his aim. He was then biding his time until the invasion. When it didn't come, he panicked and tried to commit suicide. Arthur admits the truth of this.

Returning to the station, Foyle calls Milner in. He accuses him of being untruthful about Spencer, neglecting to include in his report Spencer's previous arrests for embezzlement, and not informing Foyle of the particulars of his relationship with Spencer. Foyle also reproaches Milner for his disloyalty towards himself (ie Milner's apology to Spencer in front of Foyle, and telling Spencer about Andrew). Milner claims he meant no disrespect, and that while he doesn't agree with Spencer's views, he does have questions about the war, and Spencer seemed to take his side. "He had a reason, Milner," Foyles says, and shows his sergeant how Spencer had hidden the stolen letter inside the Jewish book.

Milner offers his resignation. Foyle refuses, and asks merely for Milner's loyalty. They shake hands.

Foyle attends David Lane's funeral; he tells Ian Lane: "I have a son the same age".

A Lesson in Murder

The pre-titles scene opens with a young man, David Beale (Nicholas Audsley) appearing before a tribunal, presided over by Lawrence Gascoigne (Oliver Ford Davies). Despite arguing passionately and eloquently that he should be spared soldier's training (which he claims is merely 'a lesson in murder') Beale's application to be registered as a conscientious objector is refused. He is detained at the Hastings police station, where some of the officers taunt him, and shower him with water from the fire hose. His wife is refused permission to visit, a decision made tragic when police officers find Beale hanging in his cell.

After the opening titles, we are shown Foyle attending a committee formed to discuss the expected invasion of Britain by Germany. Present are the judge Gascoigne and local businessman Raymond Brooks (John Shrapnel), who had given distinguished service in World War I. After the meeting, Sam drives Foyle to 'Carlo's Restaurant', run by his old friend Carlo Lucciano (Allan Corduner), an Italian, and his son Tony (Danny Dyer). After her hints, Foyle invites Sam to join him. Tony is quite taken with her and invites her to a dance the following night. After they leave, Tony is interrupted by old acquaintance Jack Winters (Christopher Fox), who he is not pleased to see. Jack is newly released from prison ("to make room for Jerries and Jews"), and swears vengeance on the judge who sent him there: Gascoigne.

Beale's wife Florence (Madeleine Worrall) is seen to live in a farm community of refugees and conscientious objectors. She is visited by her husband's friend Theo Howard (David Tennant), who expresses anger towards Gascoigne, whose refusal to approve Beale's application led to his death.

Gascoigne lives in a large house (his wife's ancestral home) with his wife Emily (Cheryl Campbell), daughter Susan (Sophia Myles). They are currently hosting an eleven-year-old evacuee, Joe (Greg Prentice), who the senior Gascoignes consider a nuisance. He carries a notebook around with them, which he uses to make notes. One night, when he and his wife are in bed, he claims that he has heard a noise downstairs; he investigates. Raised by a draught that leaves her cold, his wife then hears a crash from downstairs. Wife and daughter run downstairs, to see the window broken and Gascoigne holding a note. Words from newspapers read "You too will receive justice".

Called to the house the next day, Foyle questions Gascoigne about the note. Joe listens to this, and also records the number plate of Foyle's car. Sam talks to him briefly. Returning to the station, Foyle gives the letter to Milner to study. Foyle has also been investigating the circumstances of Beale's death, at the request of Superintendent Reid (Michael Simkins). Milner, who has been making initial inquiries, reports that the Duty Sergeant the night of the suicide was Bill Ferris (Tony Maudsley) whose brother was rescently killed at Dunkirk. Examining the cells, Foyle notices the wet hose, and forms an idea of what happened. He puts this to Ferris and, implying the interrogation was only a formality, gets his agreement. Foyle arrests Ferris for aggravated assault and dismisses him from the police force.

At Gascoigne's house, Susan slips out surreptitiously, meeting her boyfriend Peter Buckingham (Elliot Cowan) in the summerhouse. She is concerned as her father as forbidden their meetings and threatened Peter.

Foyle visits Florence Beale at the farm, expressing his regret and assuring her the people involved would be punished. Theo is not reassured by the apology; he speaks angrily about Gascoigne, informing Foyle that Gascoigne has refused all conscientious objector's applications except for that of Stephen, Raymond Brooks's son, even though Stephen was unknown by the pacifist communities. When Foyle repeats the words of Gascoigne's letter, he admits no knowledge of it but agrees with its sentiment.

Having discovered the words on the threatening letter had been cut from The Illustrated Daily Express and the paper showed traces of engine oil, Milner returns home. His wife is not welcoming; she doesn't like his false leg. She has packed a suitcase and tells Milner she is leaving him to stay with her sister. Sam attends the dance with Tony. She meets Jack Winters, who she takes a dislike to. Also present at the dance are Peter and Susan Gascoigne. After the dance, while it is dark, a figure enters the summerhouse and attaches a grenade to the doorhandle with wire.

The following morning, Gascoigne tells his wife that he received an anonymous phonecall, telling him there is something in the summerhouse. He decides to eat his breakfast before investigating, and forbids Joe to look himself. Joe disobeys, and runs down. When he opens the door there is a loud explosion.

Foyle hears the details from Gascoigne. Gascoigne suggests that he was the intended target, and identifies one enemy: Peter Buckingham, who he claims was forcing his attentions on Susan. He tells Foyle that Buckingham is a machine operator at the nearby munitions factory. Looking through Joe's room, Foyle discovers the exercise book. Leaving policemen to guard Gascoigne, in case of another attempt, Foyle goes to the train station to meet Joe's father Eric (Ian Puleston-Davies), who was due to collect Joe that day. Eric expresses great grief at the death of his son, who he had sent to the country for safety. Foyle finds him a hotel room, but forbids him to approach Gascoigne. Sam then drives Foyle to the factory, located in a wood, but they are refused admission by the foreman (Ken Drury), who refers them to the War Office. However, Peter Buckingham comes to the gate to speak to them, explaining his relationship with Susan Gascoigne, and remarking that Gascoigne threatened him, not the reverse. Leaving the factory, Foyle comments that Buckingham cannot be a machine operator: his hands are clean, the factory has no chimneys (as it would if it had furnaces) and the track leading to it would not be suitable for transporting munitions.

Foyle meets up with Carlo again and they reminisce, and discuss the likelihood of Italy joining the war. Foyle also asks about Frank Winter, who he knows was once arrested for burglary and assault. Carlo is concerned by his son's association with him. Sam is out walking with Tony, who tells her he has joined up. He asks her to be 'his girl' so he can write letters. She agrees, although she appears reluctant. Tony does not tell his father about his plans, and, that night, walks out after an argument.

Foyle also visits Raymond Brooks, whose business interests border on profiteering. Challenged about his son's listing as a conscientious objector, Gascoigne expresses anger at his son, claiming they are not on speaking terms. He also admits Brooks seeing Gascoigne, but states it was to speak against his son's request as he was not a pacifist but "afraid to fight".

Meanwhile, Florence Beale has heard about the explosion and challenges Theo, asking where he was the previous night. Later, Theo removes a gun from his luggage and leaves the farm, asking Florence to forgive him. Milner has joined the 'guard' at Gascoigne's house and chats with Susan, who seems the only one to be upset at Joe's death. Watching outside, Milner sees someone in the trees, and sends a policeman after him, but he is not found. Susan confides her affection for Peter Buckingham, and feeling of hopelessness. When Gascoigne discovers Milner comforting her, he uses it as an excuse to send him away. However, that night, shots are heard and the policemen aprehend Tony and Jack in the gardens. Gascoigne is dead. The windows and doors are locked.

When questioned by Foyle, Emily Gascoigne claimed she was upstairs when she heard the shot. Susan remarks that her father kept a gun in his desk; it is missing. Back at the station, Tony tells Foyle that Jack wanted to break in and make a mess, but they had not entered. Tony had only accompanied him reluctantly. Knowing he has committed no crime, Foyle releases him, and he is reconciled with his father, after telling him he has joined up. Interviewed by Milner, Jack accuses Foyle of corruption since he let Tony go.

When studying Joe's notebook, Foyle noticed, amongst the scribbles, the words "FAC RAY" and "SOOO". Assuming this to mean the factory, and discovering the factory is unknown by the War Office, he forces his way in. There he sees carpenters busily making coffins by order of the Ministry of Health, to cope with expected fatalities during an invasion.

Now knowing the factory was not what interested Joe, Foyle visits Raymond Brooks and accuses him of lying. Brooks did visit Gascoigne, (FAC RAY referred to his car registration number) and paid him £2000 (which Joe recorded as 'SOOO')as a bribe to keep his son out of the war. His bank account confirmed this withdrawal. He had also been making phonecalls to his son. Gascoigne had been living beyond his means, and must have been relieved to have the money. Brooks admits this; having experience WWI, he did not want his son to suffer the same things. Foyle suggested he had obtained the grenade for Gascoigne.

Foyle escorts Eric Pearson to the train station; leaving on the same train is Theo Howard who has decided to join up. He admitted to Florence that he had planned to shoot Gascoigne, but there were too many policemen at the house. He stilled retained his pacifist ideals but, having discovered he is capable of killing, he knew he had to 'do his bit'.

Returning to the big house, Foyle arrests Emily Gascoigne for the murder of her husband. Explaining this to Susan, he says that Joe had discovered the bribe and would probably tell his father when he came, so Gascoigne invented the threats and set it all up so an excited Joe would explore the summerhouse. He had tried to implicate Peter Buckingham with the use of machine oil. Working out that her husband had killed the boy, and angered by his blaming her family inheritance for burdening him with rising cosat, Emily took the gun from his desk and shot him. Susan is comforted by Peter.

That night, news breaks that Italy has declared war. Carlo's restaurant is torched by a mob, and Carlo himself dies in the blaze. Foyle is upset at his friend's death. Sam tries to comfort the grief-stricken Tony but is repulsed.

I would appreciate it summaries are not lifted in their entirety from www.foyleswar.com, ie, Eagle Day is directly from http://www.foyleswar.com/episodes/104/104.htm and whoever lifted it didn't even bother to edit out the 'click here'! Florrie 00:15, 26 July 2007 (UTC)Reply

You can summarize the plot without giving the ending away. "The German Woman"'s plot summary along with other summaries tells exactly who killed the victim which ruins the whole show. — Preceding unsigned comment added by 209.252.183.253 (talk) 22:18, 18 August 2017 (UTC)Reply