Excellent police corruption investigation. Smart and unforgiving until the end.

cops investigating cops, what could go wrong

This is one of those unusual times where I did not like Series 1 as well as I did Series 2, which I viewed earlier. Decent story, but was very slow on character development and plot. Still recommended viewing.

Oh, why can't we find quality like this in US police procedurals? Absolutely the best I've seen in years. Sympathetic good guys and bad guys, doing serious business. Rapid fire dialogue and action. Twists and turns and nail biting tension. The first of this series acquaints you with the recurring characters and set-up with a kind of vanilla plot.....but it takes off from there with a BANG.

There's more to the drama series Line of Duty than first meets the eye. Series 1 sets the stage, tactically with a particular case, strategically with the overarching framework that pervades all four series. Key is that the characters fall into three categories. First, the police officers of AC-12, essentially same key recurring individuals in all four series, front and center. Second, the case specific protagonists weaving in and out throughout the investigation. They are transient. When the criminal manifestations are dealt with, they shuffle off. Third, seemingly peripheral, fleeting dramatis personae in various police hierarchy positions. They never really go away, but reappear haphazardly in all four series, often promoted in rank. They are key to understanding how pervasive corruption within the constabulary is. So, viewers need to recognize a character as a one, two or three. In any case, Series 1 an eye opener that provides viewer momentum.

A better than average police drama about corruption in the force.

Pretty darn good, although it's hard to find any character here worth your sympathy. Series Two and Three only get better. Can't wait until Series Four. Jed Mercurio is one of the best writers in the UK today, along with Sally Wainwright. It's no wonder that between them they win so many awards.

One quibble is that main character Lennie James is here only paired with white women, which I put down to racism. What, black women are not deemed worthy of love? Because that is what this constant trope is more or less saying. His character has both a wife and mistress here. In real life, a man of his age, career and looks would not have such pulling power. But this is the more "normal" sexism we see all the time, where nearly all male characters in film and TV are shown with women much younger than themselves and totally out of their league. Is it any wonder some men have an entitlement problem when this is all they see in the media?

Rated 8/10. A series of 5 episodes around one story. Good effort.

Good series. Violence!

Another nice find from Britain.
If you have seen the recent American show Shades of Blue then you may be going " hey, that MUST have been after someone saw this series"...and this is waaaay better.