Line of Duty Series 1 Episode 5 Finale Review

Line of Duty Series 1 Episode 5 Finale Review

This review contains spoilers

I'll get the most important thing out of the way first - that little shitty kid who I stated in the review of the last episode needed to get his punishment handed out rather meatily sort of...didn't. He got a smack in the leg with a crowbar, but at the end of the day the police sent him home to a mother who clearly doesn't care, with the knowledge that it's not too late for him. Even though he tried to cut off another copper's fingers with a pair of bolt clippers.

Seriously, though, perhaps he will flourish if they move him onto a foster home. If they don't, then his social workers really need to get fired.

Back to the rest of the story, Line of Duty Series 1 signed off in style, with the (sort of) redemption and death of DCI Tony Gates, and the apparent arrest of 'Tommy', the person behind all the trouble this series, from the laundered money that Jackie Laverty was involved in to the deaths on the 'Bog' estate. We also saw DS 'Dot' Cottan's big reveal - he's the real bent copper, and has known Tommy since he caddied for him on the golf course, which explains the name 'The Caddy' that crops up in Series 2. He tells Tommy to go for immunity in exchange for information about the 'terrorist' threat from the estate, which is of course complete bollocks, but sets up Series 2 nicely.

DS Arnott is now a fully integrated member of AC-12, happily working alongside DC Fleming and Supt Hastings, and the rest of the characters will sort of just disappear and get on with their jobs. DC Morton, in particular, appears to have suffered no comeback from smacking Fleming in the head with a cane in full view of several other police officers, but perhaps she just didn't press charges.

From the very beginning, this has been an absolutely superb drama, which I know will only get better in Series 2 (having already seen it). Giving Gates, a copper who is clearly morally questionable at times but essentially a 'good' copper, the chance to make amends was the correct decision, especially with the reveal of Dot being the actual bent officer. Lennie James has been superb throughout, and he's been the standout performer in a cast of standout performers. Martin Compston's DS Arnott has been great as the frustrated young officer trying to get to the truth, and Vicky McClure is similarly brilliant as DC Fleming, trying to get to the truth whilst undercover and playing Gates. From Adrian Dunbar's trying-to-stay-calm-but-getting-frustrated-at-Arnott's Supt Hastings, to Neil Morrissey's completely-different-from-his-comedy/building-roles as Morton, to Craig Parkinson's legendary-whatever-he's-in performance as Dot, this show has been a shining beacon for the talent of UK drama actors.

The plot has kept viewers guessing throughout, with questions over Gates' true intentions and level of corruption swinging back and forth, just as DI Denton's innocence or guilt will do in Series 2. I've been spellbound during every episode, desperate to watch the next instalment immediately, and hindered only by having to watch it late at night and not having the energy to concentrate.

I can pick out a couple of frustrating flaws: why is Morton not getting arrested for attacking Fleming (I'm guessing she didn't press charges, but was that even mentioned?)?; what happened to the old guy who kept getting burgled - was it just to show how Fleming was neglecting her old duties?; was the body of Jackie Laverty ever actually found (I don't remember seeing anything about it, though I could be wrong)? These are just minor quibbles though, and not important in the long run.

I've not been this engaged in this style of UK drama since Spooks, and I hold that upon the highest pedestal. Luckily, it's been renewed for Series 3 and 4, and I'm hoping that it manages what Spooks did, and not have a single dodgy series. It deserves to be seen by anyone who likes a good mystery running through its core, and should have won award after award (I think it was nominated for several but didn't win).

Now, all I need is to hear that the shitty kid went on to change his life around, voluntarily served five years in prison, and now teaches nuns how to rollerblade to raise money for charity, I'll be a very happy man.