Things are about to get arresting
Maureen Coleman looks ahead to episode two of Line of Duty
IF Line of Duty’s series six opener was somewhat more sedate than expected, then buckle up for the ride. Things are about to hit the gas.
Last Sunday night’s return episode, watched by almost 10 million viewers across the UK, might have lacked the huge drama of previous seasons (think The Ambush, series two), but while there were no shoot-outs, explosions or car chases, the scene was nicely set for AC-12’S latest investigation.
This time round, the anti-corruption unit has its most high-profile inquiry on its hands — scrutinising the actions of DCI Joanne Davidson (Kelly Macdonald). The slow burner of episode one teased plenty more twists and turns to come in the quest for those ‘bent coppers’.
One of show creator Jed Mercurio’s strengths is his ability to build anticipation and suspense around what’s coming next and, believe me, episode two packs a punch. But with so many spoilers to avoid, all I can say is that tomorrow night’s investigation takes a dramatic turn as Ted Hastings (Adrian Dunbar) and his team begin to examine Davidson’s personal life.
What do we know so far? DCI Davidson is heading up an investigation into the murder of journalist Gail Vella. En route to arrest a potential suspect, she spots what she believes to be an armed robbery in process. The convoy of police officers is rerouted to deal with this situation instead, resulting in a delay in reaching their suspect. Could a potential second suspect, Carl Banks, whose DNA was found at the crime scene, have got away after being tipped off? And was the arrested man, Terry Boyle, who has learning difficulties, lined up as the fall guy?
We also learned that DI Kate Fleming (Vicky Mcclure) no longer works for anti-corruption but is cosying up to Davidson instead. Her relationship with onetime gaffer, Hastings, is in tatters but DS Steve Arnott (Martin Compston) wants to get her on the case.
In a photograph released ahead of Sunday night’s episode, we see Arnott in a graffiti-covered underpass — a well-known subway in the centre of Belfast. It’s the perfect place for a clandestine meeting with his former colleague and ‘mate’.
As the investigation into Davidson picks up pace, fans of the legendary Ted Hastings will be pleased to hear he’s back to his best form. He’s angry, frustrated, feels let down but is relentless in his pursuit of the truth. “I’m interested in one thing and one thing only — bent coppers.” Yep, we get to hear those iconic words again.
Mercurio has already said that there will be a few ‘break the internet’ moments this series. Expect a few Twitter trends on Sunday night as a few faces reappear from previous series. And with Hastings very much at the forefront of the action, there will be several new catchphrases to add to his Tedisms — ‘she’s cooked her goose now’.
As Arnott and new recruit DC Chloe Bishop (Shalom Brune-franklin) turn up the heat and look into Vella’s journalism, they find links to previous AC-12 cases in her research. Hastings is fired up and wants someone to pay for the murder of the ‘wee girl’ and he’s not going to rest until he gets justice.
Now, we’re cookin’ with gas!
‘Hastings is fired up and wants someone to pay for the murder of the ‘wee girl’ and he’s not going to rest until he gets justice’