Line of Duty

[Nick Armstrong]

Never got round to watching this series before (despite one attempt - see above).

But I decided to try the new 'season' which started on Sunday (not least because Thandie Newton is one of my favourite actresses).

I found it engrossing - but surprising in a couple of ways, not necessarily good ways. In a minor way because of the sometimes clunky dialogue (characters speaking lines which they would never have said to colleagues, but which were designed to explained things to viewers). And in a major way, because after 55 minutes of patient psychological tension, it all went lurid at the end (trying not to spoil for those yet to catch up). Is this typical of Line of Duty as a whole?

I'm not (yet) convinced by this change of tone - but it worked in the sense that I shall definitely be 'tuning in' for the second episode (and wished I'd had it to hand when episode 1 finished)!

[Richard Tarleton]

The first three series were sort of linked in that the same thread of corruption ran through them even though the 3 initial story lines were distinct - it helped to know what had gone before, as there was a particular character, who was terminated at the end of the last one who ran through all 3. And a character played by the superlative Keeley Hawes, was in series 2 and 3. And series 2 and 3 both featured the, erm, departures of what we were expecting to be major characters at the end of episode 1 of each (I don't think that counts as a spoiler). So - possibly - no change there, and yes the shock ending teetered over into schlock....The Times TV critic was a bit unsure about this.

But the series' outstanding features have consistently been its long, uncut interview scenes, which are quite gripping.

[ferneyhoughgeliebte]

The first three series were sort of linked in that the same thread of corruption ran through them even though the 3 initial story lines were distinct - it helped to know what had gone before, as there was a particular character, who was terminated at the end of the last one who ran through all 3. And a character played by the superlative Keeley Hawes, was in series 2 and 3. And series 2 and 3 both featured the, erm, departures of what we were expecting to be major characters at the end of episode 1 of each (I don't think that counts as a spoiler). So - possibly - no change there, and yes the shock ending teetered over into schlock

- the "rhyme" between the end of episode 1 of series 3, and this new one struck me, too. And then it just got suddenly very silly (as, indeed, did the conclusion of the series 3 itself)!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Iu7vySQbgXI

But the series' outstanding features have consistently been its long, uncut interview scenes, which are quite gripping.

[DracoM]

Presumably they can afford to start this series with a real bang because by now many are sufficiently familiar with the set-up / personnel etc to need no precious time filling in background?

[johncorrigan]

I think Adrian Dunbar has been terrific throughout these series - serious, straight and at important times, funny...and he does threatening so well!

[Tevot]

Hello there,

Must admit to having decidedly mixed feelings about the prospect of Season 4. I think Adrian Dunbar has been excellent throughout and certainly series' 1 and 2 had their wow and shock moments including the demise of certain characters out of the blue. ( Lenny James - the chief suspect in series 1 btw is now playing one of the more interestiing characters in AMC's "The Walking Dead" complete with a very convincing American accent) There were also superb performances from Gina McKee and Keeley Hawes.

Misgivings? Not taken by the lead Martin Compston whatsoever - who always reminds me of Willie Carson and probably has the same acting ability I always think he's going to saddle a horse and canter to Aintree. Has anybody else also noticed Vicky McClure's striking resemblance to Chris Ecclestone?

But seriously series 3 was imho a let down - formulaic - and its finale beggared belief. It also I think wasted some serious acting talent.

I will probably watch Series 4 as I am quite taken by Thandie Newton (she was to me the highlight of HBO's recent series "Westworld" which otherwise I found difficult to get into before the last gripping 3 episodes...) Curiously I think she modelled her character on an earthier version of Joan Collins!! Again as with Zombies in The Walking Dead, I am aware that Cyborgs in Westworld afflicted by pangs of conscience / angst might not be everyone's cup of tea - but vive la difference ;-)

Best Wishes,

Tevot

[ferneyhoughgeliebte]

Has anybody else also noticed Vicky McClure's striking resemblance to Chris Ecclestone?

No - but she and Chris Eccleston do have a "striking resemblance"!

Largely agree with everything you say, Tevot - except about Martin Compston: this is what Arnott is like as a human. No deficiency on the actor's <ahem> part, as Compston has shown in his other roles, not least Peter Manuel in last December's In Plain Sight (the way the character's cock-suredness melted into disbelieving rage when he was tricked by Muncie; wonderful stuff!).

[ferneyhoughgeliebte]

[Tevot]

Seriously Ferney - when I first saw her I was convinced that Vicky McClure was Ecclestone's sister... A quick Google confirmed not... Wasn't aware of In Plain Sight and if I can find it I'll try to give it a go... Many thanks and Best Wishes ....

Tevot

[Nick Armstrong]

....certainly series' 1 and 2 had their wow and shock moments including the demise of certain characters out of the blue. ( Lenny James - the chief suspect in series 1 btw is now playing one of the more interestiing characters in AMC's "The Walking Dead" complete with a very convincing American accent)

Well I'm delighted to find that Series 1 and 2 are on Netflix... Several episodes now under the belt. I agree about Lennie James, he's very good - and though I haven't seen him in Walking Dead, he was the most complex character in a great series (also post-apocalyptic, sadly cancelled prematurely) called Jericho, and absolutely first class (with an American accent to match - I was very surprised to find having seen Jericho that he's a Nottingham/London lad, an absolute badge of quality ).

Talking of accents by the way, broad Scottish (Greenock) Martin Compston's cockney accent is rather more successful in Series 1 than I found it in Series 4....

yes the shock ending teetered over into schlock....

But Series 1 had its equivalent Hammer House of Horror moment (at the end of episode 2, actually Richard) - it's obviously the writer's style to lull viewers into a state of tension with patient cat-and-mouse detective work and then hit the horror button.

Watchable stuff, that's for sure.

[ferneyhoughgeliebte]

Seriously Ferney - when I first saw her I was convinced that Vicky McClure was Ecclestone's sister... A quick Google confirmed not... Wasn't aware of In Plain Sight and if I can find it I'll try to give it a go... Many thanks and Best Wishes ....

Tevot

- but it's "Eccleston", honest. (Not "Ecclestone")

[ferneyhoughgeliebte]

But Series 1 had its equivalent Hammer House of Horror moment (at the end of episode 2, actually Richard) - it's obviously the writer's style to lull viewers into a state of tension with patient cat-and-mouse detective work and then hit the horror button.

Ah - but the "horror cliffhanger" schlock is of a much higher quality than the silly schlock that ends series 3. (Short of a meteor hitting the building, there really wasn't much they could have done to make it more ludicrous. In fact, at least a meteor has a grain of credibility!)

[Nick Armstrong]

Ah - but the "horror cliffhanger" schlock is of a much higher quality than the silly schlock that ends series 3. (Short of a meteor hitting the building, there really wasn't much they could have done to make it more ludicrous. In fact, at least a meteor has a grain of credibility!)

Yes, agreed!

[Tevot]

Ah - but the "horror cliffhanger" schlock is of a much higher quality than the silly schlock that ends series 3. (Short of a meteor hitting the building, there really wasn't much they could have done to make it more ludicrous. In fact, at least a meteor has a grain of credibility!)

Now come on - King Kong could have intervened having been seconded from the South Yorkshire Police

Thanks for the spelling lesson Ferney

and thanks too Caliban for recommending Jericho and also pointing out that I can't spell Lennie correctly

On reflection I reckon that given Chris Eccleston's aural endowment - he would make a spectacular live action Dumbo.

Verily - you will believe a Mancunian can fly

Best,

Tevot

[Nick Armstrong]

thanks too Caliban for recommending Jericho and also pointing out that I can't spell Lennie correctly

NB This is the one you want http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0805663/ from 2006/7 (ITV made a series with the same title more recently, a very different kettle of fish). It's streamable on Amazon I think.






And as for Lennie - I didn't point it out, you twigged very astutely! (I lack ferney's ruthless schoolmaster confidence )