Line of Duty (BBC) **Spoilers**

FunLover18

Maria Prehistoric Policeman wrote: »

Is this worth a watch from the start? I know nothing about it and only just realised it's not an American cop show, which I had assumed it was. I don't like US cop shows, but like some British ones. The quick synopsis on google sounds dull, but I gather there's some hype around the show based on snippets in the media this week. Not looking back in the thread to avoid spoilers, but would appreciate a recommendation or otherwise!

I think it depends on what british ones you like, it's not your typical Midsomer Murders/Morse mystery per week. I would definitely recommend giving it a go though, it's not like any American cop show either.

Ash.J.Williams

Maria Prehistoric Policeman wrote: »

Is this worth a watch from the start? I know nothing about it and only just realised it's not an American cop show, which I had assumed it was. I don't like US cop shows, but like some British ones. The quick synopsis on google sounds dull, but I gather there's some hype around the show based on snippets in the media this week. Not looking back in the thread to avoid spoilers, but would appreciate a recommendation or otherwise!

Yes it’s worth it, ignore the hype

Degag

Maria Prehistoric Policeman wrote: »

Is this worth a watch from the start? I know nothing about it and only just realised it's not an American cop show, which I had assumed it was. I don't like US cop shows, but like some British ones. The quick synopsis on google sounds dull, but I gather there's some hype around the show based on snippets in the media this week. Not looking back in the thread to avoid spoilers, but would appreciate a recommendation or otherwise!

Yes, great show, quite envious you are starting from the start!

HeidiHeidi

Maria Prehistoric Policeman wrote: »

Is this worth a watch from the start? I know nothing about it and only just realised it's not an American cop show, which I had assumed it was. I don't like US cop shows, but like some British ones. The quick synopsis on google sounds dull, but I gather there's some hype around the show based on snippets in the media this week. Not looking back in the thread to avoid spoilers, but would appreciate a recommendation or otherwise!

I was a late-comer to this - I think Series 4 was showing when I finally got around to watching Series 1. So I binged on three or four series, and tbh I got a bit sick of it by the end! I only got around to watching Series 5 just before this one, to catch up.



It's completely OTT, but also completely compelling - if I were starting out again, I'd just watch a series and give it a break.



It's utterly bonkers, but great watching!

Fitz*

Maria Prehistoric Policeman wrote: »

Is this worth a watch from the start? I know nothing about it and only just realised it's not an American cop show, which I had assumed it was. I don't like US cop shows, but like some British ones. The quick synopsis on google sounds dull, but I gather there's some hype around the show based on snippets in the media this week. Not looking back in the thread to avoid spoilers, but would appreciate a recommendation or otherwise!

The first episode or two are a bit off, but stick with it. Bear in mind that they are nearly 10 years old now too, so things like technology etc have improved since. Once you get into the middle of series 1 & 2, it's fantastic viewing.

Hercule Poirot

Maria Prehistoric Policeman wrote: »

Is this worth a watch from the start? I know nothing about it and only just realised it's not an American cop show, which I had assumed it was. I don't like US cop shows, but like some British ones. The quick synopsis on google sounds dull, but I gather there's some hype around the show based on snippets in the media this week. Not looking back in the thread to avoid spoilers, but would appreciate a recommendation or otherwise!

Definitely worth a watch from the start, I won't spoil it for you but there's definite character growth even within the first season so stick with it even if you might find the first episode or two a bit off

Just be prepared that there's a change in focus between seasons 1 + 2 - 1 focuses mainly on the protagonist Tony Gates whereas from season 2 onwards it puts the focus more onto the members of AC-12

I also envy you for being able to watch it completely fresh

Wallet Inspector

Maria Prehistoric Policeman wrote: »

Is this worth a watch from the start? I know nothing about it and only just realised it's not an American cop show, which I had assumed it was. I don't like US cop shows, but like some British ones. The quick synopsis on google sounds dull, but I gather there's some hype around the show based on snippets in the media this week. Not looking back in the thread to avoid spoilers, but would appreciate a recommendation or otherwise!

I saw bits of episodes, which looked unreal, so put it on the list.

Finally got around to starting from scratch in 2019. It took me a couple of attempts on the intro to episode one - I was thinking "ok this is nothing like those few great later bits I saw"... it drops you right into the Line of Duty "culture". No build-up/setting the scene - just a confusing armed police event with stuff happening all over the place, and the esoteric police terminology being thrown at you. It's a bit off-putting I think.

But that's only the beginning - it moves on quickly, and things are explained. You can't tune out for a nanosecond though. But it gets utterly utterly brilliant imo.

I binged series one to four in only over a week (I was off sick for some if it - working full-time for the rest). You'd fly through them. Being BBC, episodes are actually an hour (which is great) but the series are short - only five or six episodes. The new series is seven which is the longest of all.

r93kaey5p2izun

I think I'll give it a go so. Thanks for the info!

Ash.J.Williams

Maria Prehistoric Policeman wrote: »

I think I'll give it a go so. Thanks for the info!

Come back and let us know how it goes

.red.

Fitz* wrote: »

The first episode or two are a bit off, but stick with it. Bear in mind that they are nearly 10 years old now too, so things like technology etc have improved since. Once you get into the middle of series 1 & 2, it's fantastic viewing.

If you think the technology in LOD has aged, imagine watching The Wire for the first time now.

EverythingGood

.red. wrote: »

If you think the technology in LOD has aged, imagine watching The Wire for the first time now.

Just finished it again and it remains outstanding, moving onto The Shield now. As an aside, I am also reading the Martin Beck crime series, and the lack of technology is very striking, but the books are fantastic

Johnthemanager

EverythingGood wrote: »

Just finished it again and it remains outstanding, moving onto The Shield now. As an aside, I am also reading the Martin Beck crime series, and the lack of technology is very striking, but the books are fantastic

If you liked The Wire, which I think was the greatest TV show ever made, you should get on Gomorrah. Based in Naples, a lot darker and grittier than The Wire.

EverythingGood

Johnthemanager wrote: »

If you liked The Wire, which I think was the greatest TV show ever made, you should get on Gomorrah. Based in Naples, a lot darker and grittier than The Wire.

Thanks for the recommendation. The Wire is the 2nd greatest TV show, West Wing is no 1 for me!

Ash.J.Williams

.red. wrote: »

If you think the technology in LOD has aged, imagine watching The Wire for the first time now.

They barely had computers at all

Bellbottoms

EverythingGood wrote: »

Thanks for the recommendation. The Wire is the 2nd greatest TV show, West Wing is no 1 for me!

You misspelled The Sopranos

Mantis Toboggan

I'd be asleep watching the supranos, line of Duty FTW

VG31

EverythingGood wrote: »

Thanks for the recommendation. The Wire is the 2nd greatest TV show, West Wing is no 1 for me!

The Sopranos is my no 1, The Wire is a close second.

I keep meaning to watch the West Wing but haven't got around to it.

HeidiHeidi

VG31 wrote: »

The Sopranos is my no 1, The Wire is a close second.

I keep meaning to watch the West Wing but haven't got around to it.

I think The Sopranos is the only series I've ever watched from start to finish.


The West Wing was brilliant, but I suspect will have dated very badly (might be wrong about that though). Can't remember an ending to it, so I'm assuming it tailed off in quality like 99% of series do, and I just gave up.


LoD will be the second I'll see through, but at this stage it's purely to see how completely ludicrous it can get (very, seems to be the vibe!)

Mike Litoris

Waiting for LOD.....Jesus how bad is Top Gear these days.

Heraldoffreeent

Mike Litoris wrote: »

Waiting for LOD.....Jesus how bad is Top Gear these days.

Without Clarkson, May and Hammond, its like the Muppet show without the muppets.

Lisha

Ryan is some animal

ShagNastii

Me nerves!!!!

Lisha

Yaasss Steve!!

Heraldoffreeent

Night Mate...........Night.

Sardonicat

Uh oh, Steve. Does Hastings know about his codeine problem?

Mad_maxx

the bit where they are interviewing Terry Boyle is farcical , someone like that could not be used as a witness to anything in court , might as well use a two year old

Heraldoffreeent

Steve, with enough painkillers there to supply Boots admin free til' the end of Brexit.

Wallet Inspector

Poor Terry. Remember there was a lad with Down's Syndrome in the early seasons too - being used by the scumbags that also used Ryan.

Poor Steve too - pain relief due to being ****ed down the stairs is the reason for his opioid addiction.

appledrop

Celchick wrote: »

Poor Terry. Remember there was a lad with Down's Syndrome in the early seasons too - being used by the scumbags that also used Ryan.

Poor Steve too - pain relief due to being ****ed down the stairs is the reason for his opioid addiction.

I thought that was Terry wasn't it?

Steve falling apart here tonight.

Sardonicat

appledrop wrote: »

I thought that was Terry wasn't it?

Steve falling apart here tonight.

Would he not just ho to his GP to be weaned off?