LINE OF DUTY - thread 3 - NO SPOILERS

[Blondeshavemorefun]

Thought better do new thread. Hope haven’t jumped on anyone’s toes

All the drugs tests I've had at work ask you what you've taken recently, it becomes a problem if they find something that you haven't admitted taking - I was OK with my 30/500 cocodamol (prescription for back pain...) but my colleague who had a poppy seed roll every lunchtime wasn't, he had to be retested after an appropriate time to give it a chance to clear his system

Having had a family member with an addiction to prescribed cocodamol & OTC codeine preparations I can safely say it started as relief from the physical pain (cracked ribs after a fall & knee pain) but unfortunately when the physical conditions/pain healed the codeine was used to keep on an emotional equilibrium. The more you take it the more you need to feel ok & function, especially if you have a body which is super effective at metabolising codeine into morphine.
The family member having receiving help is codeine free but unfortunately their marriage is over due to the ripple effects.

Exactly @OysterMonkey

The prescription in the trailer included diazepam (Valium), I think codeine and anti inflammatories too but can’t remember. I don’t know whether that means he will end up under medical treatment as he should be, or whether it’s just shorthand for him

I am well aware that opioids are addictive and the effects and how they work - I’ve been on them since 2004! I’m just saying that the amount of codeine in OTC meds wouldn’t work for ongoing severe back pain because you would become tolerant to the small amount in it extremely quickly if taking the maximum dose. To have any effect you’d have to massively overdose on the paracetamol component, and even then it’s not going to help much.

The scene where he had extreme back spasms, took some OTC co-codamol and ibuprofen and then was quickly better and able to drive was bloody ridiculous.

As a PP said, I am loving how the last couple of weeks we have had an absolute Ted classic line - this week 'letter of the law, the letter', with a nod to 'Hastings, like the battle' and last week - 'interested in one thing and one thing only.....(I was shouting at the telly - 'Go on! Say it!') - BENT coppers. Next week I'm writing 'now we're sucking diesel' on my bingo card

@beeeeeeeeeeeeeeep
I love it too.
Am waiting excitedly for "Like Grandma's nightgown, it covers everything"

Something else I've been thinking about, but could be nothing, last series there was the whole exchange between Carmichael and Hastings about her needing fo refer to him as sir. Big deal made of it. This series there seems to be a bit of theme, Davidson and the CHIS handler, Kates over use of the word Boss, Chloe called Steve boss but corrected herself to Sir, all while Ted is still referred to as 'the Gaffer' even directly with Steve...
I'm getting confused who's meant to call who what, when its ma'am or sir or boss or whatever

@storminabuttercup

Also Wondered this. My copper friend tells me it is a thing to call anyone ranked above you ma’am/sir but don’t get where boss/gaffer is more appropriate

@PrincessScarlett

So the whole investigation of Jo started because Farida told AC12 she was dodgy. She did this while she was still in a relationship with Jo, Jo finished their relationship after Farida had already reported her. So what does Farida know? I suspect she's not so innocent and there was a reason behind her allegations. It can't be sour grapes as Jo implied because the relationship didn't end first.

I thought the relationship was already over which was why Farida reported Jo? In the first episode Jo returned to Farida to collect the last of her things, then went to her flat where she had been for some time - locks fitted, family photo on display etc.

took some OTC co-codamol and ibuprofen and then was quickly better and able to drive was bloody ridiculous.

I thought we felt that was a ruse to get Steph out to his car so he could have a quick snoop but he didnt find anything so seduced her ( sort of) and then legged it up to the attic?

I never thought that. Why let her see all the drugs for that?

@TedisnotH

Jo knew where Farida lived, because she had lived there with her.

But she's denying that. Officially she wouldn't necessarily know.

@Dailyhandtowelwash

I never thought that. Why let her see all the drugs for that?

Hes prescribed them, I dont think he thought that Steph would tell Ted

Having some experience of an employer who randomly drug tested (not police, so happy to be corrected if they do it differently)

At the start of the test, you get a change to declare if you are on any prescription drugs or have recently taken any OTC medicine (and why). You may need to supply proof, and the test may or may not be deferred depending on circumstances. Opiates, including OTC strength, will show up. As you are not meant to take OTC opiates for more than a few days, this could cause an issue for Steve, because a short deferral to let OTC clear the body, won't cover it.

But he does appear to be on prescription painkillers, which he should declare, and I don't know if the testing would be detailed enough to show if the amounts in the body were in line with the prescription (he appears to be taking both prescribed and OTC, and does not appear able to stop)

It's a vulnerability (could lose career if unfit for duty - but surely there are useful roles for medically downgraded staff?) and one I expect the OCG might seek to take advantage of (I'm assuming they would find out via Steph, though of course the other person who knows is Hastings. And Kate will probably find out soon too)

So... is Steph dodgy, or not?

@SaintReatham

So... is Steph dodgy, or not?

My moneys on dodgy ! As I said upthread I reckon shes money laundering for OCG. She was a SAHM previously now invested in a hairdressers and works PT. She drives a VERY nice car for a PT hairdresser. Might rewatch to see what model it is. Dont think she has spent much of the 50K, the envelope Steve found was full.

Hes prescribed them, I dont think he thought that Steph would tell Ted

He’s ashamed of them and keeping them secret. He could think of a dozen others ways to get her out of her house for a few minutes without exposing something so personal about himself.

Placemarking

He might be prescribed some but we saw him visiting chemists and buying the max allowed.

I don’t know - why would the OCG recruit the wife of a dead UCO who was a rat? Unless they know about the £50k so can use that to blackmail her.

Also, the stuff about HMRC - why would HMRC be on to her, assuming she’s being smart about what she’s spending that £50k on (and she seems to have a lot left). £50k cash isn’t all that useful since you can’t make any massive purchases or pay off your mortgage unless you launder it. So maybe that’s why she got into the hairdressers - just to launder her own cash?

@Interviewedundercaution

He might be prescribed some but we saw him visiting chemists and buying the max allowed.

Yes, we haven’t seen any prescription boxes / bottles this season, and he told Steph he doesn’t want doctors to know as he may lose his job.

The fact that he recovered from his back spasms so quickly made me think it was a ruse to get her out of the house, but now I think maybe it’s just bad writing. Like that bloody laptop.

I have a horrible feeling that when this ends there’ll still be a lot of “but what about x, and why did y happen?”. Can’t wait to see what Buckells has to say though - I hate this weekly business.

I cant think of any reason why Steph would be visiting Ted at work to witter about HMRC. Is he moonlighting as an accountant? If she's got illicit income is he paying her something regularly? She hasn't declared the dodgy 50k in the attic so what's going on? Dear me.

@CheekyWeeShite I was thinking the same thing about HMRC. If she'd been careful snout the money there would be nothing to alert HMRC. Steve checked the accounts,didn't he, and presumably nothing showed there either hence the visit to Steph's attic to check out the cash. Which he found.

I was also thinking she could have laundered the money by buying into the salon.

So why is she telling Ted about Hmrc? Is she threatening him?

Great minds, @longwayoff.

Off-piste I know but I'm finding Steph quite unpleasant. I don't know why really: she's up to something with Ted potentially and I think she bedded Steve to stop him talking about money.

Thanks for the new thread!