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Line of Duty (BBC)

Stanley

By Stanley,
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FishyFish

FishyFish

Posted
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Yeah, it came to a disappointing conclusion.

Basically, the bad guys got away scott free, Gates died for nothing, and all the corruption was brushed under the carpet. And to top it off they used naff written epilogues for the characters like it was a true story or something.

It was excellent in the whole, but it felt like they ran out of episodes and needed to just rush the conclusion rather than tie it all up at a more enjoyable pace.

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a big boy

a big boy

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Posted

Yeah, it came to a disappointing conclusion.

Basically, the bad guys got away scott free, Gates died for nothing, and all the corruption was brushed under the carpet. And to top it off they used naff written epilogues for the characters like it was a true story or something.

It was excellent in the whole, but it felt like they ran out of episodes and needed to just rush the conclusion rather than tie it all up at a more enjoyable pace.

It possibly could have worked

without the epilogues, if the golf caddy (I can't even remember his name) had been a more developed character so his betrayal would mean anything,

and if it was meant to be build up for a second season... Which I don't think there will be? You're right that the whole thing came off as being rushed. As if the writers had an entire British version of The Wire planned out, but were told at the last minute they're only getting 5 episodes. Shame.

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jonamok

jonamok

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Worked well for me. The sour note at the end was in keeping with the bleak nature of the rest of it. It was certainly the least impressive of the 5 eps, but overall a quality, well written, well performed drama.

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Timbuktu

Timbuktu

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The last two episodes were a bit disappointing after such a strong start, i thought bit of more stilted dialogue crept in. It seemed like they just bit off a bit too much. I think five episodes was enough for the plot, but the characters changes that came with it was a bit too much. What was the point of Steve leaving and coming back? The interactions between him and Kate were the worst parts of the series for me.

And indeed, if this was the British equivalent of the Wire, i must admit i have imagined how great it would be to have the brits from that show, West and Elba, in these roles.

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idiwa

idiwa

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Watched the last part last night. Really enjoyed the first four and found it gritty as fuck..but part five just seemed to be 'meh". Seems a bit of a fuck up at the final hurdle and I too thought they were almost setting it up for a second series.

I thought some of the acting at the start was really wooden; mostly coming from Kate and Arnott.

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FishyFish

FishyFish

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http://www.bbc.co.uk...e-of-duty2.html

BBC Two’s biggest new drama series for seven years, Line Of Duty, to return for second series

Following outstanding ratings and critical acclaim Ben Stephenson and Janice Hadlow announce Jed Mercurio’s Line Of Duty has been re-commissioned for a second series from World Productions for BBC Two.

Last night 3.3 million viewers tuned in to see DCI Tony Gates, a complex and elusive anti-hero, shockingly take his own life in the dramatic series finale.

The series average overnight of 3.2 million makes it the biggest new series on the channel since Rome in 2005, with last week’s episode consolidating with 4.2 million viewers.

Jed Mercurio's cat-and-mouse thriller took a probing look into modern policing by following one multi-stranded investigation over five hours. With an electric performance from Lennie James, and two of the most exciting talents in British TV - Martin Compston and Vicky McClure – who played the relentless anti-corruption officers on his trail. alongside a brilliant supporting cast including Gina McKee, Neil Morrissey, Adrian Dunbar, Kate Ashfield, Craig Parkinson and Paul Higgins.

Ben Stephenson, Controller, BBC Drama, says: “Jed Mercurio and World Productions have realised a brilliant series for BBC Two with Line Of Duty that encapsulates my vision for bold, authored and utterly original drama on the channel.”

Janice Hadlow, Controller, BBC Two, says: "I’m so pleased to have this brilliantly realised thriller on BBC Two; it is a wonderful addition to the channel's rich landscape of drama. With fantastic writing from Jed Mercurio, great characterisation, tightly plotted detail and riveting performances from a stand out cast, I’m thrilled that this complex, contemporary drama has captured the imagination of such a loyal and appreciative audience."

Simon Heath, World Productions, says : "It's a privilege to be working with Jed again on a second series of Line Of Duty, following AC12 on a new and controversial anti-corruption investigation."

Written and produced by Jed Mercurio (Bodies, Cardiac Arrest) the series was executive produced by World Productions’ Simon Heath (United, Outlaws, Hancock & Joan) and Stephen Wright for the BBC. Directed by David Caffrey and Douglas Mackinnon.

Following the success of Line Of Duty

.

Good news. Hopefully they'll make up for the somewhat disappointing and rushed conclusion to series one. I wonder if they would have done anything differently had they known a second series would be picked up?

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idiwa

idiwa

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Good news. Hopefully they'll make up for the somewhat disappointing and rushed conclusion to series one. I wonder if they would have done anything differently had they known a second series would be picked up?

They need to make sure that some scrote of a kid calls a cop a "Bent bastard!" at least once per episode! :quote:

Thinking about it last night I suppose the only good thing to come out of the whole series of events was PC Bannerjee showing himself to becoming a good copper who was community minded (ergo not corrupted or jaded like his colleagues at the station).

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Stanley

Stanley

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It's definitely rough around the edges, the kid was a ridiculous character. We're supposed to feel some kind of sympathy for him because he comes from a broken home, and he's just a little boy really. But in the previous episode he was cutting off someone's fingers with a bolt cutter.

I really do think letting go of Gates was a mistake. Even if they weren't sure of getting a second series.

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  • 8 months later...
FishyFish

FishyFish

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Some casting info and brief plot details for the second series...

http://www.guardian.co.uk/media/2013/apr/15/call-the-midwife-ashes-to-ashes

Call the Midwife and Ashes to Ashes stars join BBC's Line of Duty

Jessica Raine and Keeley Hawes, plus My Family's Robert Lindsay, to appear in second series of acclaimed police drama

It was always going to be a difficult job replacing Lennie James for the second series of BBC2's acclaimed police drama, Line of Duty.

The BBC has announced no fewer than three new names for the return of Jed Mercurio's acclaimed drama – Keeley Hawes, Robert Lindsay and one of the stars of BBC1's Call The Midwife, Jessica Raine.

Hawes, a familiar BBC face from shows such as Ashes to Ashes, Spooks and the ill-fated return of Upstairs Downstairs, will play a detective inspector who is the only survivor after a police convoy is ambushed.

My Family star Robert Lindsay is the deputy chief constable who takes charge of the case, with Raine joining the team investigating police corruption, alongside first series stars Martin Compston and Vicky McClure. Adrian Dunbar will also return.

Produced by World Productions, Line of Duty was one of BBC2's big drama hits of last year with more than 3 million viewers.

James, who played ill-fated corrupt cop Tony Gates, starred in the first series alongside Gina McKee.

Surprisingly, perhaps, it missed out in the Bafta television awards announced last week.

Hawes said writer Mercurio had written an "epic journey" for her character.

The second series will run for six episodes, one longer than the first. Filming starts in Belfast later this month.

Mercurio said: "I was thrilled by the success of series one, and I'm hugely grateful for the opportunity to create another six hours of twists and turns as our returning investigators delve into a brand-new story of police corruption."

1
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DeFiBkIlLeR

DeFiBkIlLeR

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Bah!...I was hoping they'd replace that SNP supporting separatist wanker Martin Compston as the lead.

I don't want my licence fee money being used to pay people lots of money, who don't even believe in the BBC and would gladly see it broken up because they still have a bug up their arse about the English.

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  • 3 years later...

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