Inspector Morse (TV Series)
Cherubim & Seraphim (1992)
John Thaw: Chief Inspector Morse
Photos
Quotes
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Chief Inspector Morse : No-one can imagine someone else's pain, Robbie. It's the human tragedy.
[Morse finishes his beer and Lewis his orange juice]
Chief Inspector Morse : But I made a vow. I wouldn't forget - I would never forget - how *awful* it is to be fifteen. I've forgotten, of course - everyone does... but I've been trying to remember.
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Chief Inspector Morse : I don't know about drugs. I missed the sixties.
Detective Sergeant Lewis : Sex and drugs and rock'n'roll...
Chief Inspector Morse : They were happening all around me. I was based at Windsor when the Rolling Stones played on Eel Pie Island; I was just never in the right place at the right time.
Detective Sergeant Lewis : Well... You don't like rock'n'roll.
Chief Inspector Morse : I like sex.
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Chief Inspector Morse : Starter homes. God Almighty!
Detective Sergeant Lewis : First step on the ladder.
Chief Inspector Morse : To where? What sort of life do we offer our young people, Lewis? School? If you're lucky college; then marriage. A starter home; then children. A two-bedroom semi. If you do well, you've just about got to four bedrooms, when your kids leave to buy starter homes of their own!
Detective Sergeant Lewis : Don't want to pay rent. Money down the drain.
Chief Inspector Morse : This British home-owning democracy we're all so proud of; it's really a form of slavery.
Detective Sergeant Lewis : An Englishman's home is his castle, you know.
Chief Inspector Morse : Man was born free, but everywhere he's in the property chain.
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Chief Inspector Holroyd : In my opinion, Morse, Lewis hasn't been given a proper grounding in the basics.
Chief Inspector Morse : If you're going to retire, Holroyd, just get on and do it.
Chief Inspector Holroyd : He'll never make inspector if he doesn't follow correct procedures.
Chief Inspector Morse : Well, if you'll proceed out of my office, either properly or improperly, I really don't mind.
Chief Inspector Holroyd : Take this Lever case. Lewis thinks he was very clever listening to the parents, but he spent so much time cosying up to them he missed what was staring him in the face. The father's a sadist. Wears a bloody great leather strap round his waist. Wife's scared stiff of him. Abuse. That's what this case is all about: physical and probably sexual abuse.
[Lewis walks in]
Chief Inspector Morse : Ah Lewis, Chief Inspector Holroyd was just abusing you.
Detective Sergeant Lewis : I thought I felt something.
Chief Inspector Holroyd : Yes, well I've said my piece. So, do you remember what I said, Lewis?
Detective Sergeant Lewis : Anything particular, Sir? You said so much.
[Holroyd walks out]
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Detective Sergeant Lewis : [Referring to Holroyd's conclusions] Rubbish!
Chief Inspector Morse : [Sarcastically] That's what I like to hear - reasoned argument logically developed.
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Chief Inspector Morse : Breaking and entering, Lewis?
Detective Sergeant Lewis : Yes sir.
Chief Inspector Morse : Get on with it then.
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Chief Superintendent Strange : Kids! They're as bad as Special Branch. You never know what the blighters are up to.
Chief Inspector Morse : Mm, we were all young once.
Chief Superintendent Strange : I can't imagine you young, Morse.
Chief Inspector Morse : I can imagine you.
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Detective Sergeant Lewis : It was invented by a weather forecaster you know.
Chief Inspector Morse : What was?
Detective Sergeant Lewis : This chaos theory.
Chief Inspector Morse : Can't be right then!
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Chief Inspector Morse : I know I drink a bit, but... drugs. You don't know what demons drugs will let loose.
Detective Sergeant Lewis : Might be angels, not demons.
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Chief Inspector Morse : I hope that man's in hell-fire.
Detective Sergeant Lewis : You don't believe in hell.
Chief Inspector Morse : I wish I did, though. Tonight I really wish I did.
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Chief Inspector Morse : [Sadly to Lewis] There's something about a teenage death... All that potential about to be realized, and then...
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[last lines]
Joyce Garrett : You must try and forgive her. I am. Tryin'.
Chief Inspector Morse : Y'know I'd better go. Hell of a lot to catch up on.
Joyce Garrett : All right. See ya.