Even though the seventh series takes us into the 1970s, much about what makes Endeavour the much-loved period drama remains the same. After seeing the series lead characters celebrating the coming new decade in their own way, New Year’s Day brings with it the harsh reality people will never stop killing each other.

Discovered next to an Oxford canal, not far from the pub where she worked, is the body of barmaid Molly Andrews (Lucy Farrar). The unwavering fingers of suspicion are soon pointed toward Carl Sturgis (Sam Ferriday). Sturgis, Andrews’ boyfriend, had been tossed out of the pub the previous night when he caused a scene.

Despite Detective Chief Inspector Fred Thursday (Roger Allam) being adamantly determined Sturgis killed his girlfriend, there is something peculiarly off about the murder. It simply doesn’t add up. The DCI’s mood is further exasperated by Dr Max DeBryn, ME (James Bradshaw) and his inability to show the barmaid’s neck was broken.

“New year. New decade. New start, “Thursday tells Oxford Mail editor Dorothea Frazil (Abigail Thaw). “You always hope for better, don’t you?”

The gloom in Thursday’s voice is most telling. It sounds like years on the job, with him having to work on countless murder cases, is getting to him. Could his scepticism for human nature be impacting his ability to do his job?

Frazil notes Detective Sergeant Endeavour Morse (Shaun Evans) is absent from the crime scene. Morse is enjoying a well earned two weeks away from Oxford in the beautifully canaled city that is Venice. With Morse being Morse, not that we need any prompting, the detective sergeant takes in an opera during his holiday.

It is at the opera house that Morse encounters Violetta (Stephanie Leonidas). Violetta, passionate and unquestionably glamorous, becomes entangled with the English policeman. He returns to the British Isles, experiencing flashbacks to his time in Italy, feeling somewhat love-stricken.

When Morse’s college friend Ludo (Ryan Gage) returns to Oxford, something which was bound to happen sooner or later, we see an obvious atmospheric change. Is it an operatic comedy or tragedy? There are two more episodes remaining. These episodes will undoubtedly reveal everything we need to know.

Image Credit: IMDb.com

Oxford’s scientific community, dominated by men, feels the lure of television. Dr Naomi Benford (Naomi Battrick), seeing an opportunity to advance her career, auditions for a role as a television presenter. If Benford were a man, Dr Dai Ferman (Richard Harrington) wouldn’t have an issue with her seeking career advancement. Ferman’s misogynistic views are on full display.

It doesn’t help that Professor Blish (Angus Wright) is a condescending fool. Dr Jeremy Kreitsek (Reece Ritchie), every bit as downtrodden as Benford, is spineless. He refuses to back Benford because he seems to think that being in the boy’s club is all that matters.

Benford’s success, coupled with a significant degree of resentment from her colleagues, leads to a horrifyingly tragic ending. What could the scientist’s death have to do with a possible sex pest, the canal towpath murder, and ominous visions barmaid Jenny Tate (Holli Dempsey) experienced?

As the episode unfolds, the tension between Thursday and Morse becomes increasingly apparent. Is Thursday incompetent or is there something else going on which Morse doesn’t fully understand?