"endeavour" Oracle(2020) Apr 2026

This marks the first series where Sara Vickers (Joan Thursday) does not appear, as the actress was on maternity leave during filming.

Morse meets an old Oxford classmate, Ludo, who aids him after a pickpocketing incident. In a classic twist, Ludo is eventually revealed to be Violetta’s husband, setting the stage for a season-long moral and personal conflict. "Endeavour" Oracle(2020)

Back in Oxford, the atmosphere is considerably bleaker. While Morse is away, DI Fred Thursday investigates the brutal murder of a barmaid, Molly Andrews, found on a New Year’s morning towpath. The case becomes a point of contention: Thursday is convinced of the guilt of her boyfriend, Carl Sturgis, despite a seemingly solid alibi. When Chief Superintendent Bright asks Morse to take a second look months later, it creates a palpable "strain" in the relationship between the two partners, signaling the beginning of a deeper rift. Science and the Unseen This marks the first series where Sara Vickers

The closing credits include a dedication to Barrington Pheloung , the legendary composer of the original Inspector Morse theme, who passed away in 2019. Back in Oxford, the atmosphere is considerably bleaker

The episode features a nod to real-world history by portraying the first-ever Women's Liberation Movement conference at Ruskin College.

"Oracle" is more than just a season premiere; it is a masterful setup for a "nerve-jangling" series of events that would eventually lead to the show's conclusion in 2023. It captures Morse at his most vulnerable and brilliant, caught between the beauty of Venetian canals and the cold, dark secrets of Oxford's towpaths.