Mother of God: Line of Duty thread 5 - **MNHQ edit**; "We are obliged to warn you that any spoilers will be taken down and used against you. No spoilers, even upcoming characters, please, in the name of the wee man. (aka Steve Arnott)

[IstandwithJackieWeaver]

Hope no one minds me starting a new thread as 4 was filled on one episode.

Ted has been the police so long that they won't necessarily have his DNA on file from him joining. He was arrested and interviewed last series so his DNA may be on the nominal database from then.

Okay, pray for me please: DP has bagsied the TV for the FA Cup semi final tonight. Should it go to extra time and then penalties it will not be finished by 9pm. Argh.

@MotherOfGodWeeFella

Okay, pray for me please: DP has bagsied the TV for the FA Cup semi final tonight. Should it go to extra time and then penalties it will not be finished by 9pm. Argh.

That's a hard no from me!

Thankfully, neither of us gives a shit about football!

@MotherOfGodWeeFella

Okay, pray for me please: DP has bagsied the TV for the FA Cup semi final tonight. Should it go to extra time and then penalties it will not be finished by 9pm. Argh.

Start an AIBU:

"Up to what time would it be acceptable to work on a new patio this evening? I don't want to annoy the neighbours in any way that is memorable, but it's important that everything is finished off"

@MotherOfGodWeeFella

Okay, pray for me please: DP has bagsied the TV for the FA Cup semi final tonight. Should it go to extra time and then penalties it will not be finished by 9pm. Argh.

Laptop or iPad? Or phone??

This is really intriguing! I don’t think I’ve seen a second spoiler so I’m off to have a hunt - will you tell us your theory, right or wrong, after tonight’s episode please?

Indeed. I will have absolutely no shame in showing my face and owning my wrongness in the event that I make a complete fool of myself!

@ContinuousMonotoneBeep

We could combine a few theories. The DNA match is Tony Gates. Chole is confused because means Jo might be her sister. Steve is confused because he's high on drugs.Hastings is shocked because Gates would have been 4 when Jo was born.

DING DING DING!!! We have a winner!!!!!

@NoWordForFluffy

What are police rules on being related to criminals? That's the question. Given you can't choose your family, would a criminal connection scupper your career?

If yes, then it's the being related that's the bribery. If no, then it's that connection who's got her involved in the OCG, IMO, potentially with bribery related to their family (but not in relation to their connection). Convoluted!

Disclosing a relationship to a criminal, familial or not, would trigger further investigation and consideration during vetting. The point is that you are required to disclose it during your vetting.

From a security and safety perspective, willing disclosure is a sign that you understand the risk of blackmail stems from the cover up.

Failure to disclose would probably mean a rejection unless it could be explained. For example that you were not aware of the relationship between a partner and a criminal.

Back in the day they could have used official records to link people to others. If a father is unnamed on a birth certificate then it would be hard to establish. But that applies to the applicant who can claim they didn’t know.

I think there would be lots of wriggle room to allow Jo to face down a blackmail attempt over being related to Hunter if the relationship was not obvious or officially recorded. Of course if she took the risk and did one little thing for them, then it’s corrupt act that becomes more significant.

Basically it’s the cover up not the act or omission that would be the core of blackmail.

@GlassBoxSpectacular

I've just posted on the spoiler friendly thread, and was wondering if I was on about the same thing? (Obvs thus question is for that thread, not this one)

Please note I am delibarately not linking the spoiler-friendly thread to this one, and am urging people to double check which thread they are on before posting!!

(To be clear everything and anything I've posted on this thread so far has been based on my theorising only)

From a security and safety perspective, willing disclosure is a sign that you understand the risk of blackmail stems from the cover up.

Oh, I remember now that it’s been mentioned in the show that you have to disclose anything that leaves you open to blackmail or manipulation - might have been when Lindsey (or was it Ros) uncovered Ted’s financial difficulties

@ContinuousMonotoneBeep

We could combine a few theories. The DNA match is Tony Gates. Chole is confused because means Jo might be her sister. Steve is confused because he's high on drugs.Hastings is shocked because Gates would have been 4 when Jo was born.

This is brilliant!!

New thread ready for tonight fellas here: www.mumsnet.com/Talk/telly_addicts/4221771-Whose-DNA-Line-of-Duty-thread-6-May-I-remind-you-to-post-to-the-letter-of-the-MN-law-the-letter-no-spoilers-or-you-will-be-served-with-a-reg-15?msgid=106596573
Police tape still up on the thread until later when urgent exit required from this thread when full - please fill this one first - I am properly planning ahead for this evening making sure the relevant preparations are in place! I aint no Buckells....

@GlassBoxSpectacular wish I could quote a quote

It’s obv gone over my head then 😂

@GrandmasNightgown

My theory on Gail Vella is that she was investigating racism in the police, but via Lakewell (and others?) came upon the bigger story that he alluded to, but the viewer does not know what he meant (Steve might, depending on what was said in the back of the van)

The bigger story is what lies behind everything, and I don't think it's the OCG - I think it's back to Corbett's list and the very highest people being perverted. OCG has in part used that to allow it to continue making money largely uninterfered with.

So do we think that OCG just used the blackmail possibilities of The List to carry on their business, rather than being involved somehow? I never quite understood why Dot was so keen to conceal The List to the point of murdering Lindsay. H wasn't on the list was he? I think I misunderstood that whole plot point.

My theory on Gail Vella is that she was investigating racism in the police, but via Lakewell (and others?) came upon the bigger story that he alluded to, but the viewer does not know what he meant (Steve might, depending on what was said in the back of the van)

Just to add to this, I think GV also uncovered that the OCG were ‘cuckooing” vulnerable people like Terry and was going to reveal this as part of her wider findings.

We know she lived near Terry, and he described her as ‘a nice lady’, so they’d had contact at some point, in such a way that made Terry believe she was ‘nice’.

£100 to the poster who can get "urgent exit required" as the 1000th post 🤣🤣

@ThisIsSimplyBeyond

£100 to the poster who can get "urgent exit required" as the 1000th post 🤣🤣

Urgent exit required

How many more to go?

255!

@MotherOfGodWeeFella

Okay, pray for me please: DP has bagsied the TV for the FA Cup semi final tonight. Should it go to extra time and then penalties it will not be finished by 9pm. Argh.

Remind him that football doesn’t have enough suspense. So, if it’s not finished in time then set that channel to record and switch over to LOD.

You then get to be left in suspense again at the end of Episode 5 and he can watch the rest of the match after. You can remind him that his delayed gratification was only for an hour. You’ve got to wait A WHOLE WEEK to find out what happens next 😂

If that suggestion doesn’t work, then just pack his bags, he’s clearly not the right partner for you!

IPlayer app - you can still watch it live. I prefer watching on my phone TBH rather than the TV!

Am I right in thinking it’s 9pm air time?

I’m not in the UK so I’ve bought on iTunes. Episodes are generally available straight after, but as that’s the middle of the night I may not watch it straight away. If I wake up in the middle of the night again, I may watch it!

Jo is related to Steve & it will all come out that HE is H and has been putting on a fake miffed gerbil accent as cover (because Martin Compston is as Scottish as tablet in really real life, obviously).

that could be why they've given him such a dodgy fake accent!!!

Oh, except he's not a nominal :(

Not long now till we find out who Jo is related to!! I'm so excited