LINE OF DUTY - thread 3 - NO SPOILERS

[Blondeshavemorefun]

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

Chloe Gates was Tony's youngest daughter in the first series, which was set in 2012. Ryan was 13 at that time and is only newly qualified in the current series. The dates on the Line of Duty wiki make her to young to be in AC-12 now.

@EachandEveryone

www.theguardian.com/media/2021/apr/06/brilliant-and-versatile-observer-and-guardian-journalist-sarah-hughes-dies-at-48?utm_term=3fb0183037a166e59947c839e350222d&utm_campaign=TheFiver&utm_source=esp&utm_medium=Email&CMP=fiver_email so sad and no bloody age. I loved her recaps she was a proper fan.

Oh no that’s awful.

He always seems to have an excuse and tries to either end the conversation ("not on my work phone Steph"); and "I've turned off my mobile as I was in a meeting".
And in a previous episode he couldn't wait to hurry her out the door

I take all that to signify that he's trying to keep a distance from her, at least at work, and not leave a 'trail' of phone calls from her number on his work phone etc, because he's given her that dodgy money and he wants to cover his own arse and hers.

I think Ted gave Steph the money as a kindness for what happened to John but he never expected to see or hear from her again. Now she's turning up at his workplace and mithering him by phone he probably wishes he hadn't bothered!

@MayIDestroyYou

I'd imagine that for reluctantly single and undomesticated Ted uniform is much easier all round (lack of choice, easy, familiar dry cleaning) than having to choose separate items of non-uniform and keep everything suitably maintained.

Perhaps he has proper domestic arrangements now, but it would be a nightmare trying to run a decent working wardrobe from a crappy hotel.

Oh the thought of that makes me sad poor wee Ted in his neat uniform.

My take on Ted's uniform is that it represents his unwavering commitment to the Letter of the Law, etc; when he's in that uniform, he's not a man with a past and doubts, he's the embodiment of justice. It literally keeps him on the straight and narrow. He always looks rather lost in his off-duty blousons and slacks, as if he's not quite as sure of who he is without the regulation trousers on.

Similarly, Steve's waistcoats feel like someone who's halfway there: he needs to be buttoned in with a semi-uniform. Albeit one with a peacock blue satin back.

I think Ted gave Steph the money as a kindness for what happened to John
I love Ted, but I don't think it was just a kindness. Partly, yes; but also it's hot money and surely he must have known all along that it could easily come back to bite him/Steph on the arse? Hence trying to minimise contact with her.

£50 notes must be hard to spend aswell. Steph should have said to Ted " cheers for the dosh but have you got anything smaller?"

I assumed she’d launder through the hairdressers.

@Buggerthebotox

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.

I’m finding that fake accent unpleasant. Surely they could have got a Liverpudlian actor to play the part. It is very distracting in her scenes

Also very much enjoying Shrine of Duty podcast this week.

Hi all, current serving firearms police officer here (waves). I’m a bit late watching the last episode (only watched it last night). I can’t help but think that the writers of this series have never spoken to a real life police officer about how things actually work. It is so unrealistic it’s verging on ludicrous.

I actually had a dad at the school gates ask me today if it was really like that in the police. I mean really!

Also sorry if it’s already been asked, but why is Steve so panicked about a drugs test? He’s only taking over the counter pain meds, it’s not even prescription stuff so why is he so worried? And I have never ever heard of any police force just ordering routine drugs testing of staff!

Not wanting to ruin anything for anyone but if anyone would like me to point out any of the police inaccuracies I’d be more than happy! I can only hope Jed reads this read and recruits me as a series consultant (and I’d do it for free too!)

I don't think it's trying to be accurate adulting. The whole point is that it's drama. Accuracy is rather more mundane. Drama is never accurate, it's what makes it exciting.

@Adultingin2021

Hi all, current serving firearms police officer here (waves). I’m a bit late watching the last episode (only watched it last night). I can’t help but think that the writers of this series have never spoken to a real life police officer about how things actually work. It is so unrealistic it’s verging on ludicrous.

I actually had a dad at the school gates ask me today if it was really like that in the police. I mean really!

Also sorry if it’s already been asked, but why is Steve so panicked about a drugs test? He’s only taking over the counter pain meds, it’s not even prescription stuff so why is he so worried? And I have never ever heard of any police force just ordering routine drugs testing of staff!

Ooh a real AFO! Can I ask, when you refer to each other do you really have to say all that Charlie Bravo business?

@Adultingin2021

Not wanting to ruin anything for anyone but if anyone would like me to point out any of the police inaccuracies I’d be more than happy! I can only hope Jed reads this read and recruits me as a series consultant (and I’d do it for free too!)

Yes please! Is “Fahrenheit” really the word they use to issue a kill order?

Apparently the Met refused to co-operate with the show but they speak to retired officers.

I’m a lawyer and I know how totally unrealistic portrayals can be annoying, but then I also realise how utterly tedious courtrooms actually are so they have to use a fair bit of dramatic licence!

Thank you for the responses about why Ted wears uniform. I was just musing about it because Buckells is also a superintendent and doesn’t. But I agree it is likely to be a part of the character - I can’t imagine Ted rocking up in a suit!

Finally, my theory is that Jo is actually on the side of the angels. We are supposed to think she’s bent but I’m not so sure... those locks aren’t to keep Steve Arnott out if he comes to arrest her for being a bent copper. They’re there because she’s doing something which will piss the OCG off. Double agent? Or just an undercover officer working on something very sensitive?

Maybe she needed Buckells out so she could get his job and do her undercover role as a DSU.

@Adultingin2021

Not wanting to ruin anything for anyone but if anyone would like me to point out any of the police inaccuracies I’d be more than happy! I can only hope Jed reads this read and recruits me as a series consultant (and I’d do it for free too!)

Do you have actually have whole firearms units that just sit around on their computers when not attending armed incidents - as per Daniel Mays and colleagues, and what do they do when they're not wielding guns?

Just a thought, Ryan will get through this series undetected and become a firearms officer in the final series

@Adultingin2021

Hi all, current serving firearms police officer here (waves). I’m a bit late watching the last episode (only watched it last night). I can’t help but think that the writers of this series have never spoken to a real life police officer about how things actually work. It is so unrealistic it’s verging on ludicrous.

I actually had a dad at the school gates ask me today if it was really like that in the police. I mean really!

Also sorry if it’s already been asked, but why is Steve so panicked about a drugs test? He’s only taking over the counter pain meds, it’s not even prescription stuff so why is he so worried? And I have never ever heard of any police force just ordering routine drugs testing of staff!

Of course you are...

ChocBeforeCock, I think Jo is working for OCG, in the sense of being in their debt or under their thumb. Something to do with her mother, although I don't know what.
Ryan was clearly sent to pick her up from her interview as a warning/reminder that they're watching her.

So I think she IS bent, to a degree and for understandable reasons. Much like all the bent LoD coppers.

@EachandEveryone

www.theguardian.com/media/2021/apr/06/brilliant-and-versatile-observer-and-guardian-journalist-sarah-hughes-dies-at-48?utm_term=3fb0183037a166e59947c839e350222d&utm_campaign=TheFiver&utm_source=esp&utm_medium=Email&CMP=fiver_email so sad and no bloody age. I loved her recaps she was a proper fan.

I am very sad, too. I read her blogs straight after the show and discuss it with family. RIP Sarah.

I'm thinking it is too obvious having Jo as bent and my wild imaginings are that she is working undercover for another part of anti-corruption/serious crime investigation within the Police, rather as Steve was. I wondered if she could be working for Anna Maxwell Martin's character, DCS Patricia Carmichael.

I am finding the number of women police officers, particularly BAME women police officers, that are either being killed or corrupt very annoying now, it's way out of proportion to the number of them in the police generally. It's starting to feel a bit 'off' to me the high representation of BAME officers and women that are apparently corrupt.

Oops I meant John as in John Corbett, in that post not Steve!