Line of Duty - series 1, anyone?

[HouseOnTheLake]

I'm pretty late to the party with this one but, after watching and thoroughly enjoying Bodyguard, I've just started watching the first few episodes of Line of Duty based on its rave reviews.

Anyone else watching/watched it recently? I'm not finding it nearly as riveting as Bodyguard but I can't deny it's good. Although I'm enjoying most characters, I have a few gripes:

1. Is it just me that thinks that Martin Compston was miscast as DS Steve Arnott? He's clearly a great actor but I find him entirely unbelievable as a DS going up against CI Gates. He just seems too softly spoken and "wet", more like a character from The Office than a law-enforcer to be feared.

1. I'm finding Gates' two sidekicks really annoying, in a Tweedledum and Tweedledee way. They just seem like the station idiots and not who I would expect to be behind the great officer of the year that is Gates.

This is just based on 2.5 eps so maybe the characters will develop in ways I wouldn't imagine!

You'll find as time goes on that Arnott is anything but wet. I think he's a great character. Which sidekicks are you talking about with Gates? If they're who I'm thinking of, you would be unwise to dismiss them as idiots.

I'm jealous, you've got a lot of excellent TV watching ahead of you.

I agree Arnett is an amazing character is definitely shows huge strength as the series go on.

Interestingly, I watched the Bodyguard. I enjoyed it but not nearly as much as the LOD series's.

The characters develop a lot.
Enjoy
And I get more confused after every series

Yes, it's great starting a new series knowing you have loads of episodes to enjoy!

Re the sidekicks, I'm referring to Neil Morrissey and Dot, I think the character's name is. I guess they just seem unremarkable at the moment and just sit around making unfunny digs at Arnott while licking Gates' backside instead of making any real breakthroughs!

I guess I'd just imagine a more commanding actor playing Arnott, maybe someone like Steve Madden. I've only seen him in Bodyguard and loved how he mastered obedience/dominance all at the same time; very compelling.

I'm glad to hear about the upcoming character development, can't wait!

Interestingly, I watched the Bodyguard. I enjoyed it but not nearly as much as the LOD series

A lot of people on MN said that which is why I expected LOD to be amazing. To me, it feels slower to develop than Bodyguard which is not necessarily a bad thing. But Bodyguard had me on the edge of my seat throughout!

Just stick with it 😉

You have to watch very carefully and remember things in later series's that connect to things now. I think I enjoyed the progression of stories and sometimes they whack you in the face with something you never suspected in a million years.

Oooooooh! Come back and post again when you have watched all of Series 1 and then again when you have watched all of them. I want to see your face when you reread everything you’ve written above OP 😂🤣

Bodyguard was only 6 episodes thiugh so you would expect it to move quicker than LOD which develops not only over the series but over all of the series. I have watched that last 2 series but need to go back and watch the beginning series although will I have spoiled it?

sometimes they whack you in the face with something you never suspected in a million years.

I love it when that happens!

Come back and post again when you have watched all of Series 1 and then again when you have watched all of them. I want to see your face when you reread everything you’ve written above OP

That sounds promising. I love to be surprised so I'm happy to stand corrected!

We happen to be on about episode 4 of series 1 op. It’s gripping already!

Oh those sidekicks... "I'm referring to Neil Morrissey and Dot.. Yes, I vaguely remember them ...

Series one LOD eh?
DC Arnott will grow on you, mark my words! And you'll appreciate what a great actor he is to have drawn you into underestimating the nuances he plays out of his character already. Vicky MacClure just gets better and better too.. ..

You've found a gem of a set of series OP. It'll blow you away. Netflix has all 4 series.

I was late to the LOD party too. Me and DH binge watched them last year.

I felt the same about Game of Thrones. Very Kate to the party but felt that everyone I know was raving about it.
First series was interesting, a bit confusing, a shock ending but we thought - okaaay. Not quite getting the bug.
Again with series 2, most of the way through we were thinking - still not getting the deal with this. Then BAM! I think it was the end of series 2 that just hooked us in and we were rationing ourselves to only 2 a night.

LOD is a grower.
I might treat myself to a re-watch.

Just starred watching it too!!!

I was also late to LOD.
My Mum recommended it and I tried one episode and didn't like it.
Tried again a few months later and was hooked.

Easily the best police drama I've even watched and I'm so jealous of anyone just starting out with it now.

I liked it so much that I've watched it start to finish twice.

We finished series 4 last night. Somehow we watched series 2 live, not realising it was series 2. Then missed 3 and felt we couldn't watch 4. Over the last few weeks we started again on Netflix and went a.tje way through.

It's brilliant. So many twists and turns and tension. Love how well the interview scenes are written.

Some of the interview scenes in Series 4 especially! Just soooo clever.

I think LOD has spoilt me for watching any other police Drama.

Bodyguard wasn’t a patch on it and I stopped watching after 4 episodes.

I know exactly what you mean about Arnott, he just seems too ordinary doesn't he? I remember saying pretty much the same thing to DP when it was first on.

Definitely stick with it. I actually feel a bit jealous of you being able to watch the first series for the first time

I've just re watched all four series on Netflix - series four is brilliant. I agree, LOD is one of the best dramas the BBC have made in years.

LOD is way better than Bodyguard imo but if you're not enjoying it maybe it's not for you, no point watching something you don't like when there are so many good series out there

We've recently watched series one LOD and my dh said the same about Arnott. The series definitely did grow and improve though and we enjoyed it. Haven't started on series 2 yet but this thread has made me think we should.

First time I watched LoD I wasn’t that into it - tried again last year, flew through all the seasons and it was great.

We finished season 4 this week. I felt the same about Steve Arnott at the beginning.

It’s an amazing series and I can’t find anything that will keep me gripped. We tried happy valley this week but it just seemed slow in comparison.

I loved LoD, binge watched the lot - and haven't bothered watching the last two episodes of Bodyguard yet.

Make of that what you will.

Also highly recommend No Offence.

I came late to the party, in fact I'd watched some on tv without seeing the early series, I've watched them all on Netflix I loved it, it develops so well.