Where To, Sir?

Changing places with any character from a film, who would it be and why, is the September 28th Fun Monday assignment set by our host, Ari_1965 over at Beyond My Slab . Well Ari, this is an easy one. I'd love to be Samantha (Sam)Stewart, Detective Chief Superintendent Christopher Foyle's driver in the BBC's World War II crime drama Foyle's War. Foyle's War is set in Hastings on the southeast coast of England from 1940-45. Hastings is far from London, but not from the war. The people of Hastings are very caught up in the war effort. Young men have been called up to fight, older men make up the home guard and firefighters. Both men and women work in the munitions factories and military installations providing the resources needed by English soldiers to fight the war. Around Hastings women worked the farms, many as "land girls", keeping the farms going while the men are away fighting and growing much needed food for both civilians and soldiers.

Sam Stewart (played by Honeysuckle Weeks) is a vicar's daughter who began serving the war effort in the Mechanized Transport Corps of the Women's Royal Army Corps. She was transferred from the MTC to be a driver for DCS Foyle (played by Michael Kitchen). The other member of the team is Sergeant James Milner (played by Anthony Howell), himself a wounded soldier who was sent home when he lost a leg. DCS Foyle recruited Sergeant Milner while he was still in the hospital recovering physically and mentally from his wounds. The three of them formed an unlikely team fighting the everyday crimes of a small English town. In addition to murder and thievery, the war caused people to turn to crimes of profiteering and aiding the enemy. Here's a brief look at DCS Foyle in action:



You can see from the video that DCS Foyle is played by Michael Kitchen as a very old school detective. He observes and listens, not missing much of what people are trying to hide from him. He plays by the book and is not that impressed with either the civilian or military powers that be whom he encounters in solving crimes. He understands people, both their motivations and actions. Kitchen plays Foyle in a very understated style. I've recently re-watched the whole series and found myself really studying Foyle's eyes and body language. They reveal his opinion of the person with whom he's talking. Sergeant Milner is a younger version of Foyle.

Sam Stewart is totally unlike Foyle. She is physically awkward, but totally open, friendly and talkative. She is also very curious which earns her the occasional caution from Foyle that police business is not to be discussed. She is very concerned that she does enough for the war effort. As their relationship progresses, Foyle realizes that Sam's qualities can be put to good use in solving crimes. People open up to Sam and let down their guard. Foyle has some fatherly feelings for Sam, especially when he realizes that Sam's vicar father does not approve of her police work. Foyle also has a handsome air force flyer son who is romantically involved with Sam for a time. The most Foyle ever says to Sam of a personal nature is to ask: "Are you all right? Not very talkative today." That is Sam's cue to unload whatever is on her mind--opinions about people or cases, boy troubles even if the boy is Foyle's son!

Sam Stewart may not be the most glamorous character to want to change places with, but there's a lot to love about her life. Living in beautiful southern England, even if at war. Having a job that is valuable to the people around you. But mostly getting to work with someone whom you really admire and respect for a boss. I would put only about three of my former bosses in that category. Now be sure to check out other Fun Monday dream characters. I think we'll all be surprised at each other's choices.

(Photo credit: www.anthonyhorowitz.com. For fans of Foyle's War, you may be pleased to know that a new series, Foyle's Peace, was filmed in 2009--released in 2010. Wonderful news!)