Joan, Endeavour and Strange

(pensive music) - [Shaun Evans] So, this is a person who lost his mum when he was quite young and have to go and live with his dad and his stepmum.

And so, as a result, a lot of his relationships with women end in disaster because he has, let's say he has abandonment issues.

(door slamming) - Morse.

- Miss Thursday.

- To see Joan after all this time and remember that he asked her to marry him and she said no, that would be stressful.

- She then finds him drinking, which is the big shock for Joan.

- Never used to be so censorious.

- Well, you never used to put it away in the middle of the afternoon.

- Put it away in the middle of the afternoon, come on.

- She's seen a chink in his armor in a way that no one else has.

And so she can say the thing that no one else can say.

- So the mess you mentioned when you wrote.

- [Sara Vickers] They both know what was in that letter, very heartfelt.

- [Morse] It all ended as it should.

- One of those letters you get when someone knows they might not make it.

- Morse.

- That's quite revealing for Morse and I don't know if he wants to be in that position of having his cards on the table.

He really doesn't give anything away and that is, that's the crux of why it's not moving forward.

- You're saving the world.

(scoffing) - One woman at a time.

- There's always those moments where you go we really want it to work still and we find those connections, you know, they're just there.

There's only so long you can hold on.

- Joan, I think, is ready for a relationship in a way that Endeavour really isn't.

- I've got a do coming up.

Ladies do in the spring charity evening dinner dance.

I was wondering, don't suppose it'd be up your street?

- I think he was struggling for a date and he just happened to bump into Joan.

And he asked her, you know, not thinking she would say yes or probably try and fob him off and to his shock and surprise, she said yes.

- All right, go on then.

- That scene where he asks her out is in the film, which I directed and it was an amazing joy actually for the three of us to be discussing that.

What is this moment?

Maybe meaning it as a friendship thing but maybe there's a flicker of did you just ask me out?

And then something growing out of that.

Strange is in the right place at the right time and is dependable, it's comfortable, it's easy.

- He's kind, he's funny.

He's charming.

He's caring.

- Didn't wanna let the CID down.

- You couldn't.

- She suddenly is seeing him in a new light.

I think he's kind of taken her by surprise.

I think there's, yeah, definitely some fireworks there.

- [Presenter] Brother Strange and Miss Joan Thursday.

- Worshipful Master.

- [Sean Rigby] We had a great time filming the scenes at the charity ball.

We see them becoming closer and it's all beautifully written by Russell.

- [Joan Thursday] Thank you.

- I hope you have a lovely evening.

- We will.

I'm sure.

- It's nice to get dressed up and go out.

Haven't done that for a while over the past year.

Even if it wasn't real champagne, you know, we didn't get to eat anything, I count it as a night out.

Sarah's just an absolute delight to work with.

Fantastic actress, consummate professional, really good laugh.

- Blimey.

Won't wash me face for a week now.

(both laughing) - [Sean Rigby] We certainly see Strange emotionally available for her when she needs it.

As the Thursday family are going through a real crisis and Endeavour isn't.

- Good night.

(pensive music)