With the application of good hairpieces and costuming, they really did have quite a repertoire. There was one in particular you love to hate--the short bald guy--who would next turn up in a toupee as a totally urbane character and you'd be half-way through the program before you realized who he was.

Miss Marple/Hickson had some great helpers. I particularly liked John Castle in his various appearances in the program, but the annoying local policeman (can't remember his name) was always so good at being snotty. They did let that character evolve to show that he wasn't completely obtuse. Miss Marple must have come from a very large family--she had a remarkable number of nieces and nephews! Her strength was in her recognition of human nature.

What I enjoyed so much about Morse was the culture and literary material that were integral to the character. Great music and being an egghead (his crossword puzzles, reading the classics, distinct musical preferences, etc.) Remember the episode when the incendiary cassette case was found in his shelves--up to that point, Morse was meerly hurt and puzzled, but when Lewis told him it was something by Toscanini he was highly offended. "I wouldn't have it in the house!"