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Original poster

Fed up with horrible male characters!

37 replies

MatildaMovesMountains · 06/06/2025 12:21

I've SO had it with awful male TV detectives - Morck from Department Q being the most recent example. He can:

  1. Be a grumpy, sweary, rude colleague
  2. Be a shitty, neglectful stepfather
  3. Be a terrible friend
  4. Be incredibly violent in full view of the public
  5. Stalk his effing therapist!! Literally!!
  6. Be totally unprofessional

... and we are all supposed to love him and cheer him on, because why?? He's a man and good-looking? Has a heart of gold under all the swearing and violence? Is somehow a great detective in spite of his maverick methods?

Grrrr.

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kublacant · 08/06/2025 13:31

I’m quite enjoying Department Q but haven’t finished it yet. I can’t imagine any woman wanting to be in a relationship with him even though he’s quite attractive.

i think the grumpy knobhead detective trope has definitely been overdone but his boss is a great foil for him. She’s an arse as well but won’t take any of his shit. She gives as good as she gets.

Hallionflossie · 06/06/2025 18:40

Completely agree OP, I gave up after 20 minutes because he was so obnoxious. Maybe I’ve just watched too many crime series but I don’t waste time on them any more.
Really liked Slow Horses, better actor and script.

WhisperGold · 06/06/2025 18:20

MatildaMovesMountains · 06/06/2025 17:25

Stalker, yes! He illegally looks up the therapist's address and seeks her out at home. Plus pursues her to a cafe after tracking her phone.

Show quote history

Okay, forgot about the cafe incident. I'll give you stalker then 😀

GintyM · 06/06/2025 17:45

Totally with you. It’s like the holy trinity of male detective TV: emotionally stunted, borderline criminal, but somehow brilliant and broodingly hot. We get it—he’s a walking trauma with a badge.
You can be what you see, so why are we still watching these emotionally constipated wrecks solve murders while chain-smoking and growling at women? Honestly, if a female detective swore at colleagues, ignored her stepkids, and stalked her therapist, she’d be written off as “unlikeable” by episode two.
Give me a flawed woman who solves crimes without throwing chairs or neglecting basic human decency. Or at least let the dog solve the case for once.

Original poster
MatildaMovesMountains · 06/06/2025 17:25

WhisperGold · 06/06/2025 17:08

Stalker - nope.
Neglectful step parent - he is literally solely looking after his step son.
Violent - once, protecting aforementioned step son.

SPOILER ALERT!!!

Sweetpea is a far more disturbing character than Morck.

Stalker, yes! He illegally looks up the therapist's address and seeks her out at home. Plus pursues her to a cafe after tracking her phone.

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MiloMinderbinder925 · 06/06/2025 17:22

I love dodgy characters.

Gene Hunt "And it's 1973, almost dinner time, and I'm having hoops."

WhisperGold · 06/06/2025 17:08

Stalker - nope.
Neglectful step parent - he is literally solely looking after his step son.
Violent - once, protecting aforementioned step son.

SPOILER ALERT!!!

Sweetpea is a far more disturbing character than Morck.

Original poster
MatildaMovesMountains · 06/06/2025 14:21

beguilingeyes · 06/06/2025 14:06

He's a horrible charater and MG doesn't ring true to me in the part either. Gary Oldman/Jackson Lamb he ain't.

We went for Sunday lunch in a posh Surrey village a year or two back and Matthew Goode was there. He kept going to the bar and ostentasiously turning round and surveying the room as if hoping to be recongnised.

🤢

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beguilingeyes · 06/06/2025 14:06

He's a horrible charater and MG doesn't ring true to me in the part either. Gary Oldman/Jackson Lamb he ain't.

We went for Sunday lunch in a posh Surrey village a year or two back and Matthew Goode was there. He kept going to the bar and ostentasiously turning round and surveying the room as if hoping to be recongnised.

Original poster
MatildaMovesMountains · 06/06/2025 13:59

Top Dog - Swedish TV show with Alexej Manvelov (who plays Akram). Really good.

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Original poster
MatildaMovesMountains · 06/06/2025 13:58

Swiftie1878 · 06/06/2025 13:41

You’ll love Slow Horses.

I like it!

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FionnulaTheCooler · 06/06/2025 13:46

I've just got round to watching Sweetpea that I've had recorded for ages and never got round to. You might like it, OP, it's the complete opposite of the show you're describing. So far we're up to 4 dead men and every one of them deserved it.

Swiftie1878 · 06/06/2025 13:41

You’ll love Slow Horses.

Original poster
MatildaMovesMountains · 06/06/2025 13:38

I don't mind a character being mouthy, or unconventional, or a bit rough around the edges, or bending the rules a bit, but I do object to violent, abusive, illegal behaviours being glossed over. See also Luther.

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Screamingabdabz · 06/06/2025 13:27

I agree op. I nearly stopped watching it as he was so ridiculous but the plot intrigued me. No one would tolerate that level of intolerant and unprofessional behaviour in real life. If I worked with a dick like that I’d be straight to HR.

Reonie · 06/06/2025 13:24

Rinkali · 06/06/2025 13:21

You need to watch the first season of Ted Lasso as an instant antidote.

Yeah, the guy whose wife turns up trying to split up with him, he won't listen to her, and whatever he's done to make her cry incessantly is just glossed over? It gave me the chills.

Rinkali · 06/06/2025 13:21

You need to watch the first season of Ted Lasso as an instant antidote.

Original poster
MatildaMovesMountains · 06/06/2025 13:21

BingoBling · 06/06/2025 13:13

At least put SPOILER ALERT in your title!! Ffs

Too late, can't edit

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Original poster
MatildaMovesMountains · 06/06/2025 13:20

screwyou · 06/06/2025 13:07

Totally agree although he is easy on the eye his character is awful.

He is 👀. I can't deny it.

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Original poster
MatildaMovesMountains · 06/06/2025 13:19

dontgiveafuck · 06/06/2025 13:04

Its not real op its just show if you dont like it dont watch it simple.
I cant stand what i call tough women acting fighting in heals taking down 3-4 huge men at one time.
But its just a drama / film etc its not real.
Actors reading from a script thats all it is.

Oh, I didn't realise! 😅

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BingoBling · 06/06/2025 13:13

At least put SPOILER ALERT in your title!! Ffs

screwyou · 06/06/2025 13:07

Totally agree although he is easy on the eye his character is awful.

dontgiveafuck · 06/06/2025 13:04

Its not real op its just show if you dont like it dont watch it simple.
I cant stand what i call tough women acting fighting in heals taking down 3-4 huge men at one time.
But its just a drama / film etc its not real.
Actors reading from a script thats all it is.

Original poster
MatildaMovesMountains · 06/06/2025 12:51

I'm sorry this is so upsetting for some people - if you love this series, good for you! I am allowed to question the "violent, maverick man with heart of gold" trope without you having to try to prove me wrong.

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