AIBU to not have a clue what is going on in Line of Duty? **SPOILERS, PROBABLY **

[JesusInTheCabbageVan]

I've watched every episode, from "Oops" to "Mother o' God!"

I would say my level of understanding is roughly that of a dog watching a game of tennis - I have a hazy grasp of, say, Ball! Humans throwing! Exciting! Maybe some sort of game...? but if I tried to join in on the telly addicts thread, I would just be running around yapping and getting underfoot, while they waited for me to go away.

I can't be the only one, surely? And are there any kind and patient MNers out there who can explain to me (ideally as though I'm four) I'm how everyone is seemingly connected to everyone else? (I do know who Ryan is, and Terry, and James Lakewell - but in his case only because I googled him. I can't remember anything about the people he was in cahoots with).

In particular:

That woman Steve had a sleepover with - where did she get the money and why did Steve know to go looking for it?
How does she know Ted again? And Steve?
Is she a goodie or a baddie?
Why are they (the OCG I guess?) bothering to frame Terry?
Who in the police is a baddie? (apart from Ryan, who I have cunningly sussed out)

Feel free to join me if you are also clueless and ashamed.

It's definitely the gap between series that causes the problem. Plus the sheer number of series now. Then add in the fact that the episodes themselves can be quite fastpaced and gard to follow. When they released the last series I went back and binged the whole lot. This time round I had to do it all again and it definitely helps. In fact, third time round I noticed loads more stuff than I did the first time and it's all falling into place nicely.

Me too, haven't got a scoobies

I'm feeling a bit miffed because I just thought I'd been brilliant as I'd worked out something All By Myself, and only then discovered that it's been doing the rounds as one of this week's spoilers!

(I have triple checked that this is the spoiler-friendly thread)

Cliff-hanger was 'who is Jo's partial DNA match?' - my personal favoured theory is John Corbett (the apparently impossible DoB being the whole point).

But no-one else seems to work well, so much speculation about Andrew Laverty. Perhaps he is coming back? Whether he's the DNA match or just part of the hooking back to S1

Given that Jackie was born (according to Fandom) in 1967, we'd be looking for an actor (possibly Scottish) who could portray age about 55-60 if AL is to appear.

My first thought was David Tennant (because I'm an enormous fan) but then I got wondering if the VRN of the police car being dragged out of the lake was there as a casting clue, or whether it was just a joke about Kelly Macdonald's CV?

Or all that's over-thought bollocks, of course. Even if it's not, l have no idea how AL will fit in - could he be money man for the Corbett's list group?
Is that group the same as the OCG, or a different group of perverts (including the highest offices -politicians?) A group which sometimes buys the services of the OCG - eg contract killing of Vella

I am convinced that Chloe is dodgy and Jimmy knew as in that final interview last week he addressed Steve as DS Arnott and he called her Chloe. He also told Steve something when they were under fire.

I woke up this morning in a panic that I'd gone to bed early and missed it.....my relief when I remembered yesterday was Saturday and its on tonight was immense 🤣🤣

@CovidCorvid

In the police who is a baddie - jo is certainly up to no good, albeit possibly being blackmailed.

I also think Chloe is up to no good.

I haven't gone back and watched it but apparently at the start of the interview with the dodgy solicitor Jimmy Lakewell he addressed Steve and Ted by their ranks but called her "Chloe" suggesting he knew her already and theres an online theory that she could be related to Tony Gates from s1. It could also be her that tipped off the OCG that Lakewell was being moved, didn't necessarily have to have been someone in the prison.

I read articles on Den Of Geek website, they do well at joining the references from past series. Read them and you'll be sucking on diesel, fella.

@LadyGAgain

I am convinced that Chloe is dodgy and Jimmy knew as in that final interview last week he addressed Steve as DS Arnott and he called her Chloe. He also told Steve something when they were under fire.

Beat me to it, there's so many little things like that to spot, the writers do an incredible job. Although they must be tempted to start chucking random irrelevant clues in!

I also noticed he called her Chloe.

Also, she wore a maroon anorak for the convoy and everyone else was wearing black. So she stood out like a sore thumb.

I thought him calling Chloe by her first name and not her rank was an example of every day sexism.

I thought that too Captain or just dismissive of the juniors.

I can't really work out the likeliest options for the Lakewell plan to have been leaked in time for the armed attackers to get tooled up and intercept at just the right place.

So my current pet theory is that they have bugged the AC-12 offices

I absolutely love the series but wish there was a better actor playing the part of Steve.
Also I reckon Carmichael may be H

@QuestionableDanceMoves watching LoD tonight I had cause you refer back to your posts and read them out to my equally confused husband - thank you!

@CaptainMyCaptain

I thought him calling Chloe by her first name and not her rank was an example of every day sexism.

And Hastings calling her “a great wee girl” I mean wooooooah.

😳
This thread has done nothing to clear the LOD fog.....
Please don’t tell me I need to watch the whole series again to work it out........

@YanTanTethera123

😳 This thread has done nothing to clear the LOD fog..... Please don’t tell me I need to watch the whole series again to work it out........

You probably need to watch again from Episode 1 Series 1.

DH and I watched from series 1 right through to the last series in the two weeks before the new series and are still googling names, connections and places. So rewatching it won't help everyone

Watch again and also listen to the Shrine of Duty series recap (one per series) because that helps you cement the key features in your brain.

@DeusEx glad to be of assistance!