Line of Duty (BBC Police Drama)
Discussion
Finished re-watching S1 Saturday.
Even better the 2nd time around.
Fun fact: the disused Fire Station where Gates & Arnott were roughed-up recently featured in C4's Great British Buildings Restoration of the Year.
http://freshstudentliving.co.uk/2017/04/18/old-fir...
Even better the 2nd time around.
Fun fact: the disused Fire Station where Gates & Arnott were roughed-up recently featured in C4's Great British Buildings Restoration of the Year.
http://freshstudentliving.co.uk/2017/04/18/old-fir...
Smiler. said:
Finished re-watching S1 Saturday.
Even better the 2nd time around.
Fun fact: the disused Fire Station where Gates & Arnott were roughed-up recently featured in C4's Great British Buildings Restoration of the Year.
http://freshstudentliving.co.uk/2017/04/18/old-fir...
I used to work there in the early '90's. Just next to the garages where Arnott nearly lost his fingers was a big old submarine battery that was used as a UPS for the computer suite. It caught fire more times than anywhere else in West Mids.Even better the 2nd time around.
Fun fact: the disused Fire Station where Gates & Arnott were roughed-up recently featured in C4's Great British Buildings Restoration of the Year.
http://freshstudentliving.co.uk/2017/04/18/old-fir...
Smiler. said:
Finished re-watching S1 Saturday.
Even better the 2nd time around.
Fun fact: the disused Fire Station where Gates & Arnott were roughed-up recently featured in C4's Great British Buildings Restoration of the Year.
http://freshstudentliving.co.uk/2017/04/18/old-fir...
That's a lovely building, remember it well from when I was at Aston University in the 70sEven better the 2nd time around.
Fun fact: the disused Fire Station where Gates & Arnott were roughed-up recently featured in C4's Great British Buildings Restoration of the Year.
http://freshstudentliving.co.uk/2017/04/18/old-fir...
FiF said:
he MO was explained right at the end, when Hastings, Arnott and Flynn were looking at the photo wall. Easily missed to be fair.
I have assumed that Ifield was intended to be one of the ones do compromised, eg relationship of sorts with Hana R, except get abduction failed. Never explained why there was no significant DNA on the others that were being investigated.
For H, my money is on Hargreaves, looks a bit too smug for my liking.
I don't get the Ifield link, as he only met Hana R after she was abducted. I have assumed that Ifield was intended to be one of the ones do compromised, eg relationship of sorts with Hana R, except get abduction failed. Never explained why there was no significant DNA on the others that were being investigated.
For H, my money is on Hargreaves, looks a bit too smug for my liking.
So that means, that she must have had another liaison prior to her abduction with someone who was to be compromised... or she was just the bait to get the police to find the house with the evidence in it.
digimeistter said:
I've run out of stuff to watch so tried Line Of Duty, got up to S1 ep 4 and gave up, does it get any better?
Crap acting, massive plot holes and finally the shaky/drifting camera work drove me nuts.
I fail to see what everyone is raving about.
I think if you're not into it by now you won't get into it. We were hooked after the first episode.Crap acting, massive plot holes and finally the shaky/drifting camera work drove me nuts.
I fail to see what everyone is raving about.
digimeistter said:
I've run out of stuff to watch so tried Line Of Duty, got up to S1 ep 4 and gave up, does it get any better?
Crap acting, massive plot holes and finally the shaky/drifting camera work drove me nuts.
I fail to see what everyone is raving about.
Clearly not for you then. Have you tried Hollyoaks?Crap acting, massive plot holes and finally the shaky/drifting camera work drove me nuts.
I fail to see what everyone is raving about.
digimeistter said:
I've run out of stuff to watch so tried Line Of Duty, got up to S1 ep 4 and gave up, does it get any better?
Crap acting, massive plot holes and finally the shaky/drifting camera work drove me nuts.
I fail to see what everyone is raving about.
Have you tried the following in no particular orderCrap acting, massive plot holes and finally the shaky/drifting camera work drove me nuts.
I fail to see what everyone is raving about.
Lucifer - American series British Lead witty funny and some great one liners
London Spy - Interesting and a bit deep
silobass said:
digimeistter said:
I've run out of stuff to watch so tried Line Of Duty, got up to S1 ep 4 and gave up, does it get any better?
Crap acting, massive plot holes and finally the shaky/drifting camera work drove me nuts.
I fail to see what everyone is raving about.
I think if you're not into it by now you won't get into it. We were hooked after the first episode.Crap acting, massive plot holes and finally the shaky/drifting camera work drove me nuts.
I fail to see what everyone is raving about.
Beefmeister said:
digimeistter said:
I've run out of stuff to watch so tried Line Of Duty, got up to S1 ep 4 and gave up, does it get any better?
Crap acting, massive plot holes and finally the shaky/drifting camera work drove me nuts.
I fail to see what everyone is raving about.
Clearly not for you then. Have you tried Hollyoaks?Crap acting, massive plot holes and finally the shaky/drifting camera work drove me nuts.
I fail to see what everyone is raving about.
digimeistter said:
I've run out of stuff to watch so tried Line Of Duty, got up to S1 ep 4 and gave up, does it get any better?
Crap acting, massive plot holes and finally the shaky/drifting camera work drove me nuts.
I fail to see what everyone is raving about.
I watched (in order) S3, S4, S1 and currently up to S2E3...Crap acting, massive plot holes and finally the shaky/drifting camera work drove me nuts.
I fail to see what everyone is raving about.
To be honest S1 is the least "grab you by the nutz", it's more of a slow simmering build-up than the others. I still enjoyed it though. Anyway the other series are "faster", arguably more shocking, more twists, and much bigger plotholes
But if you don't like it, you don't like it.......
maniac886 said:
Talked about tad early over 2 months early at the earliest for advert! Good series wonder how much legs left on it!Countdown said:
FiF said:
Two, if DC Jamie Desford was Hilton's man why did he need Maneet to do the farcical "Oh we're changing logins etc" in order to get the copy of DI Dot Cotton's dying declaration etc.."
I don't think JD was a knowing accomplice. I think he was conned by Hilton. After all, unlike Hastings, Hilton "recognised" Desford's capabilities....... Watched series 4 finale on catch up. Great series but had a bit of a mind kerplunk while watching the last 15 mins.
The possibility of Hastings being H has been out there and running and it was a bit odd that Desford went all corrupt (and you also have the shocking flip of Maneet).
And then you have a comment from Lakewell:
"If you don't do what you're told a body gets taken out of cold storage with your DNA all over it."
“You think Hilton's top dog, how come he bricks it every time a new body's found?”
“There are some people there is no immunity from”
Lakewell is remarkably open here: not only is not Hilton in charge, but he explains how the actual H is running things. And that H appears to be untouchable (because he’s running the unimpeachable AC team?). And that Hilton is terrified of the mo of the rogue network.
But in all that what isn’t explicitly examined is why Hilton has fallen foul of what is in theory his fellow conspirators? What has Hilton done that ensured that he had to be offed? It is presented as tho at the end that he is just ‘silenced’ to prevent him blabbing, by the actual H.
What if Hilton isn’t even a dog, neverminding top. He knows what’s going on though: therefore Lakewell’s comment. But why on earth would he be terrified if he was genuinely corrupt. After all he would be part of the team that is running riot.
It suddenly struck me that if you rewatch it you can make an argument that Hilton is the cop with integrity. Sure he’s an insufferable prick and a philanderer. But there is another option.
He suspects H is Hastings. He approaches Maneet to try and provide evidence - she gets hold of Cotton’s last words, confirming his fear. He’s of the view that AC12 may be thoroughly corrupt.
Maneet hacks Desford because at this stage Desford isn’t in contact with Hilton. He’s just a hapless office junior.
He then approaches Desford as he seems likely to be trustworthy following being dumped on by Hastings.
He briefs Desford on his suspicions re the identity of H and gets him hooked up with AC9 potentially to open a file on Hastings.
Desford is to keep an eye on attempts to implicate Hilton, as he has a strong suspicion that Hastings will be coming after him (there probably is no guidance re lakewell and Desford appears to be happy to watch the interrogation switch to lakewell up until the question of the burner phone and Hilton is brought into the frame). Again that suggests that both Desford and Hilton are unaware of the importance of Lakewell up until the moment that Lakewell is tied to the burner phone. Not something that Hilton would have been happy about if he genuinely was the 2nd stage in the phone comms. Any questioning of lakewell would, if Hilton was genuinely guilty, would probably have required Desford to intervene. But I suggest both Desford and Hilton had no idea about the importance of lakewell. We’ll return to the burner phone.
Once Hilton is linked into the phone chain Desford knows that Hilton is in trouble and also that Hastings will act against Hilton.
He phones Hilton who scarpers out of his office, and is going to send in AC9 as AC12 is compromised and tells Desford to get out before Hastings gets back, as Arnott tells Hastings that AC9 will be picking him up.
Hastings knowing that Lakewell is in danger of being nabbed by genuinely non corrupt officers has to act. One of the balaclava men is also in situ possibly at Hastings instruction. Hastings kills balaclava man thus tying up one lose end.
He’s of the mind to ensure that no one is getting away with Lakewell.
Arnott then points out if Desford tries to get out with lakewell he’ll be dead shortly thereafter. Now if you rewatch that scene and put the other Alice through the looking glass perspective on it, Desford could basically listen to Arnott’s ‘persuasion’ and believe (probably correctly) that the statement is a threat (‘if you leave this building you are a dead man!’), Someone has arrived to clean up the loose threads that would be Desford running off with Lakeland and the evidence to nail Hastings, but it isn’t a hypothetical balaclava gang. It’s the AC12 goon squad and Hastings.
That’s why Lakeland is remarkably composed during the entire episode. He only gets nervous when Desford tries to get him out. Desford assumes that Hilton (‘he’s got my back!’ How touching but hardly the words of a bent copper) will be able to extricate him from a vipers nest. Not so much. Hastings has all routes out closed. Poor fella.
Cornered Desford surrenders and the bad guys win. Hilton is promptly executed and apparently exposed as H based on the evidence of... almost nothing. In fact the only evidence to say he is likely involved is an offhand comment by Lakewell which incidentally exonerates him, and the burner phone. The thing with the phone though is that we only knew Hilton used it for clandestine hookups. Why would he want to use that phone for something as critical as the murder of Arnott. What if that phone was stolen by Hastings to properly fit him up? It’s been exposed as a way of working by the balaclava gang when Cottton tried to frame Arnott in S3.
Looking forward to series 5
Edited by Ridgemont on Monday 4th February 23:49
^^^ All of that just reminds me how quickly I forget what happens at the end of a TV series. I can vaguely remember some of the character names (the recurring ones) and have a bit of an memory of some of the plot points.
Fortunately there's usually enough in the next series that it doesn't really matter too much about the previous ones. I like to put it down to a combination of watching too many different series (there seems to be a trend for all the "good" stuff to be one around the same time) and reading too much fiction - I have too many plot lines to try to keep track of. Once they're finished, I don't even try.
Fortunately there's usually enough in the next series that it doesn't really matter too much about the previous ones. I like to put it down to a combination of watching too many different series (there seems to be a trend for all the "good" stuff to be one around the same time) and reading too much fiction - I have too many plot lines to try to keep track of. Once they're finished, I don't even try.
Edited by droopsnoot on Tuesday 5th February 11:11
Ridgemont said:
Bump!
Watched series 4 finale on catch up. Great series but had a bit of a mind kerplunk while watching the last 15 mins.
The possibility of Hastings being H has been out there and running and it was a bit odd that Desford went all corrupt (and you also have the shocking flip of Maneet).
And then you have a comment from Lakewell:
"If you don't do what you're told a body gets taken out of cold storage with your DNA all over it."
“You think Hilton's top dog, how come he bricks it every time a new body's found?”
“There are some people there is no immunity from”
Lakewell is remarkably open here: not only is not Hilton in charge, but he explains how the actual H is running things. And that H appears to be untouchable (because he’s running the unimpeachable AC team?). And that Hilton is terrified of the mo of the rogue network.
But in all that what isn’t explicitly examined is why Hilton has fallen foul of what is in theory his fellow conspirators? What has Hilton done that ensured that he had to be offed? It is presented as tho at the end that he is just ‘silenced’ to prevent him blabbing, by the actual H.
What if Hilton isn’t even a dog, neverminding top. He knows what’s going on though: therefore Lakewell’s comment. But why on earth would he be terrified if he was genuinely corrupt. After all he would be part of the team that is running riot.
It suddenly struck me that if you rewatch it you can make an argument that Hilton is the cop with integrity. Sure he’s an insufferable prick and a philanderer. But there is another option.
He suspects H is Hastings. He approaches Maneet to try and provide evidence - she gets hold of Cotton’s last words, confirming his fear. He’s of the view that AC12 may be thoroughly corrupt.
Maneet hacks Desford because at this stage Desford isn’t in contact with Hilton. He’s just a hapless office junior.
He then approaches Desford as he seems likely to be trustworthy following being dumped on by Hastings.
He briefs Desford on his suspicions re the identity of H and gets him hooked up with AC9 potentially to open a file on Hastings.
Desford is to keep an eye on attempts to implicate Hilton, as he has a strong suspicion that Hastings will be coming after him (there probably is no guidance re lakewell and Desford appears to be happy to watch the interrogation switch to lakewell up until the question of the burner phone and Hilton is brought into the frame). Again that suggests that both Desford and Hilton are unaware of the importance of Lakewell up until the moment that Lakewell is tied to the burner phone. Not something that Hilton would have been happy about if he genuinely was the 2nd stage in the phone comms. Any questioning of lakewell would, if Hilton was genuinely guilty, would probably have required Desford to intervene. But I suggest both Desford and Hilton had no idea about the importance of lakewell. We’ll return to the burner phone.
Once Hilton is linked into the phone chain Desford knows that Hilton is in trouble and also that Hastings will act against Hilton.
He phones Hilton who scarpers out of his office, and is going to send in AC9 as AC12 is compromised and tells Desford to get out before Hastings gets back, as Arnott tells Hastings that AC9 will be picking him up.
Hastings knowing that Lakewell is in danger of being nabbed by genuinely non corrupt officers has to act. One of the balaclava men is also in situ possibly at Hastings instruction. Hastings kills balaclava man thus tying up one lose end.
He’s of the mind to ensure that no one is getting away with Lakewell.
Arnott then points out if Desford tries to get out with lakewell he’ll be dead shortly thereafter. Now if you rewatch that scene and put the other Alice through the looking glass perspective on it, Desford could basically listen to Arnott’s ‘persuasion’ and believe (probably correctly) that the statement is a threat (‘if you leave this building you are a dead man!’), Someone has arrived to clean up the loose threads that would be Desford running off with Lakeland and the evidence to nail Hastings, but it isn’t a hypothetical balaclava gang. It’s the AC12 goon squad and Hastings.
That’s why Lakeland is remarkably composed during the entire episode. He only gets nervous when Desford tries to get him out. Desford assumes that Hilton (‘he’s got my back!’ How touching but hardly the words of a bent copper) will be able to extricate him from a vipers nest. Not so much. Hastings has all routes out closed. Poor fella.
Cornered Desford surrenders and the bad guys win. Hilton is promptly executed and apparently exposed as H based on the evidence of... almost nothing. In fact the only evidence to say he is likely involved is an offhand comment by Lakewell which incidentally exonerates him, and the burner phone. The thing with the phone though is that we only knew Hilton used it for clandestine hookups. Why would he want to use that phone for something as critical as the murder of Arnott. What if that phone was stolen by Hastings to properly fit him up? It’s been exposed as a way of working by the balaclava gang when Cottton tried to frame Arnott in S3.
Looking forward to series 5
Thats all circumstantial, have you got any evidence fella?Watched series 4 finale on catch up. Great series but had a bit of a mind kerplunk while watching the last 15 mins.
The possibility of Hastings being H has been out there and running and it was a bit odd that Desford went all corrupt (and you also have the shocking flip of Maneet).
And then you have a comment from Lakewell:
"If you don't do what you're told a body gets taken out of cold storage with your DNA all over it."
“You think Hilton's top dog, how come he bricks it every time a new body's found?”
“There are some people there is no immunity from”
Lakewell is remarkably open here: not only is not Hilton in charge, but he explains how the actual H is running things. And that H appears to be untouchable (because he’s running the unimpeachable AC team?). And that Hilton is terrified of the mo of the rogue network.
But in all that what isn’t explicitly examined is why Hilton has fallen foul of what is in theory his fellow conspirators? What has Hilton done that ensured that he had to be offed? It is presented as tho at the end that he is just ‘silenced’ to prevent him blabbing, by the actual H.
What if Hilton isn’t even a dog, neverminding top. He knows what’s going on though: therefore Lakewell’s comment. But why on earth would he be terrified if he was genuinely corrupt. After all he would be part of the team that is running riot.
It suddenly struck me that if you rewatch it you can make an argument that Hilton is the cop with integrity. Sure he’s an insufferable prick and a philanderer. But there is another option.
He suspects H is Hastings. He approaches Maneet to try and provide evidence - she gets hold of Cotton’s last words, confirming his fear. He’s of the view that AC12 may be thoroughly corrupt.
Maneet hacks Desford because at this stage Desford isn’t in contact with Hilton. He’s just a hapless office junior.
He then approaches Desford as he seems likely to be trustworthy following being dumped on by Hastings.
He briefs Desford on his suspicions re the identity of H and gets him hooked up with AC9 potentially to open a file on Hastings.
Desford is to keep an eye on attempts to implicate Hilton, as he has a strong suspicion that Hastings will be coming after him (there probably is no guidance re lakewell and Desford appears to be happy to watch the interrogation switch to lakewell up until the question of the burner phone and Hilton is brought into the frame). Again that suggests that both Desford and Hilton are unaware of the importance of Lakewell up until the moment that Lakewell is tied to the burner phone. Not something that Hilton would have been happy about if he genuinely was the 2nd stage in the phone comms. Any questioning of lakewell would, if Hilton was genuinely guilty, would probably have required Desford to intervene. But I suggest both Desford and Hilton had no idea about the importance of lakewell. We’ll return to the burner phone.
Once Hilton is linked into the phone chain Desford knows that Hilton is in trouble and also that Hastings will act against Hilton.
He phones Hilton who scarpers out of his office, and is going to send in AC9 as AC12 is compromised and tells Desford to get out before Hastings gets back, as Arnott tells Hastings that AC9 will be picking him up.
Hastings knowing that Lakewell is in danger of being nabbed by genuinely non corrupt officers has to act. One of the balaclava men is also in situ possibly at Hastings instruction. Hastings kills balaclava man thus tying up one lose end.
He’s of the mind to ensure that no one is getting away with Lakewell.
Arnott then points out if Desford tries to get out with lakewell he’ll be dead shortly thereafter. Now if you rewatch that scene and put the other Alice through the looking glass perspective on it, Desford could basically listen to Arnott’s ‘persuasion’ and believe (probably correctly) that the statement is a threat (‘if you leave this building you are a dead man!’), Someone has arrived to clean up the loose threads that would be Desford running off with Lakeland and the evidence to nail Hastings, but it isn’t a hypothetical balaclava gang. It’s the AC12 goon squad and Hastings.
That’s why Lakeland is remarkably composed during the entire episode. He only gets nervous when Desford tries to get him out. Desford assumes that Hilton (‘he’s got my back!’ How touching but hardly the words of a bent copper) will be able to extricate him from a vipers nest. Not so much. Hastings has all routes out closed. Poor fella.
Cornered Desford surrenders and the bad guys win. Hilton is promptly executed and apparently exposed as H based on the evidence of... almost nothing. In fact the only evidence to say he is likely involved is an offhand comment by Lakewell which incidentally exonerates him, and the burner phone. The thing with the phone though is that we only knew Hilton used it for clandestine hookups. Why would he want to use that phone for something as critical as the murder of Arnott. What if that phone was stolen by Hastings to properly fit him up? It’s been exposed as a way of working by the balaclava gang when Cottton tried to frame Arnott in S3.
Looking forward to series 5
Actually, just in case you have..
wjb said:
Ridgemont said:
Bump!
Watched series 4 finale on catch up. Great series but had a bit of a mind kerplunk while watching the last 15 mins.
The possibility of Hastings being H has been out there and running and it was a bit odd that Desford went all corrupt (and you also have the shocking flip of Maneet).
And then you have a comment from Lakewell:
"If you don't do what you're told a body gets taken out of cold storage with your DNA all over it."
“You think Hilton's top dog, how come he bricks it every time a new body's found?”
“There are some people there is no immunity from”
Lakewell is remarkably open here: not only is not Hilton in charge, but he explains how the actual H is running things. And that H appears to be untouchable (because he’s running the unimpeachable AC team?). And that Hilton is terrified of the mo of the rogue network.
But in all that what isn’t explicitly examined is why Hilton has fallen foul of what is in theory his fellow conspirators? What has Hilton done that ensured that he had to be offed? It is presented as tho at the end that he is just ‘silenced’ to prevent him blabbing, by the actual H.
What if Hilton isn’t even a dog, neverminding top. He knows what’s going on though: therefore Lakewell’s comment. But why on earth would he be terrified if he was genuinely corrupt. After all he would be part of the team that is running riot.
It suddenly struck me that if you rewatch it you can make an argument that Hilton is the cop with integrity. Sure he’s an insufferable prick and a philanderer. But there is another option.
He suspects H is Hastings. He approaches Maneet to try and provide evidence - she gets hold of Cotton’s last words, confirming his fear. He’s of the view that AC12 may be thoroughly corrupt.
Maneet hacks Desford because at this stage Desford isn’t in contact with Hilton. He’s just a hapless office junior.
He then approaches Desford as he seems likely to be trustworthy following being dumped on by Hastings.
He briefs Desford on his suspicions re the identity of H and gets him hooked up with AC9 potentially to open a file on Hastings.
Desford is to keep an eye on attempts to implicate Hilton, as he has a strong suspicion that Hastings will be coming after him (there probably is no guidance re lakewell and Desford appears to be happy to watch the interrogation switch to lakewell up until the question of the burner phone and Hilton is brought into the frame). Again that suggests that both Desford and Hilton are unaware of the importance of Lakewell up until the moment that Lakewell is tied to the burner phone. Not something that Hilton would have been happy about if he genuinely was the 2nd stage in the phone comms. Any questioning of lakewell would, if Hilton was genuinely guilty, would probably have required Desford to intervene. But I suggest both Desford and Hilton had no idea about the importance of lakewell. We’ll return to the burner phone.
Once Hilton is linked into the phone chain Desford knows that Hilton is in trouble and also that Hastings will act against Hilton.
He phones Hilton who scarpers out of his office, and is going to send in AC9 as AC12 is compromised and tells Desford to get out before Hastings gets back, as Arnott tells Hastings that AC9 will be picking him up.
Hastings knowing that Lakewell is in danger of being nabbed by genuinely non corrupt officers has to act. One of the balaclava men is also in situ possibly at Hastings instruction. Hastings kills balaclava man thus tying up one lose end.
He’s of the mind to ensure that no one is getting away with Lakewell.
Arnott then points out if Desford tries to get out with lakewell he’ll be dead shortly thereafter. Now if you rewatch that scene and put the other Alice through the looking glass perspective on it, Desford could basically listen to Arnott’s ‘persuasion’ and believe (probably correctly) that the statement is a threat (‘if you leave this building you are a dead man!’), Someone has arrived to clean up the loose threads that would be Desford running off with Lakeland and the evidence to nail Hastings, but it isn’t a hypothetical balaclava gang. It’s the AC12 goon squad and Hastings.
That’s why Lakeland is remarkably composed during the entire episode. He only gets nervous when Desford tries to get him out. Desford assumes that Hilton (‘he’s got my back!’ How touching but hardly the words of a bent copper) will be able to extricate him from a vipers nest. Not so much. Hastings has all routes out closed. Poor fella.
Cornered Desford surrenders and the bad guys win. Hilton is promptly executed and apparently exposed as H based on the evidence of... almost nothing. In fact the only evidence to say he is likely involved is an offhand comment by Lakewell which incidentally exonerates him, and the burner phone. The thing with the phone though is that we only knew Hilton used it for clandestine hookups. Why would he want to use that phone for something as critical as the murder of Arnott. What if that phone was stolen by Hastings to properly fit him up? It’s been exposed as a way of working by the balaclava gang when Cottton tried to frame Arnott in S3.
Looking forward to series 5
Thats all circumstantial, have you got any evidence fella?Watched series 4 finale on catch up. Great series but had a bit of a mind kerplunk while watching the last 15 mins.
The possibility of Hastings being H has been out there and running and it was a bit odd that Desford went all corrupt (and you also have the shocking flip of Maneet).
And then you have a comment from Lakewell:
"If you don't do what you're told a body gets taken out of cold storage with your DNA all over it."
“You think Hilton's top dog, how come he bricks it every time a new body's found?”
“There are some people there is no immunity from”
Lakewell is remarkably open here: not only is not Hilton in charge, but he explains how the actual H is running things. And that H appears to be untouchable (because he’s running the unimpeachable AC team?). And that Hilton is terrified of the mo of the rogue network.
But in all that what isn’t explicitly examined is why Hilton has fallen foul of what is in theory his fellow conspirators? What has Hilton done that ensured that he had to be offed? It is presented as tho at the end that he is just ‘silenced’ to prevent him blabbing, by the actual H.
What if Hilton isn’t even a dog, neverminding top. He knows what’s going on though: therefore Lakewell’s comment. But why on earth would he be terrified if he was genuinely corrupt. After all he would be part of the team that is running riot.
It suddenly struck me that if you rewatch it you can make an argument that Hilton is the cop with integrity. Sure he’s an insufferable prick and a philanderer. But there is another option.
He suspects H is Hastings. He approaches Maneet to try and provide evidence - she gets hold of Cotton’s last words, confirming his fear. He’s of the view that AC12 may be thoroughly corrupt.
Maneet hacks Desford because at this stage Desford isn’t in contact with Hilton. He’s just a hapless office junior.
He then approaches Desford as he seems likely to be trustworthy following being dumped on by Hastings.
He briefs Desford on his suspicions re the identity of H and gets him hooked up with AC9 potentially to open a file on Hastings.
Desford is to keep an eye on attempts to implicate Hilton, as he has a strong suspicion that Hastings will be coming after him (there probably is no guidance re lakewell and Desford appears to be happy to watch the interrogation switch to lakewell up until the question of the burner phone and Hilton is brought into the frame). Again that suggests that both Desford and Hilton are unaware of the importance of Lakewell up until the moment that Lakewell is tied to the burner phone. Not something that Hilton would have been happy about if he genuinely was the 2nd stage in the phone comms. Any questioning of lakewell would, if Hilton was genuinely guilty, would probably have required Desford to intervene. But I suggest both Desford and Hilton had no idea about the importance of lakewell. We’ll return to the burner phone.
Once Hilton is linked into the phone chain Desford knows that Hilton is in trouble and also that Hastings will act against Hilton.
He phones Hilton who scarpers out of his office, and is going to send in AC9 as AC12 is compromised and tells Desford to get out before Hastings gets back, as Arnott tells Hastings that AC9 will be picking him up.
Hastings knowing that Lakewell is in danger of being nabbed by genuinely non corrupt officers has to act. One of the balaclava men is also in situ possibly at Hastings instruction. Hastings kills balaclava man thus tying up one lose end.
He’s of the mind to ensure that no one is getting away with Lakewell.
Arnott then points out if Desford tries to get out with lakewell he’ll be dead shortly thereafter. Now if you rewatch that scene and put the other Alice through the looking glass perspective on it, Desford could basically listen to Arnott’s ‘persuasion’ and believe (probably correctly) that the statement is a threat (‘if you leave this building you are a dead man!’), Someone has arrived to clean up the loose threads that would be Desford running off with Lakeland and the evidence to nail Hastings, but it isn’t a hypothetical balaclava gang. It’s the AC12 goon squad and Hastings.
That’s why Lakeland is remarkably composed during the entire episode. He only gets nervous when Desford tries to get him out. Desford assumes that Hilton (‘he’s got my back!’ How touching but hardly the words of a bent copper) will be able to extricate him from a vipers nest. Not so much. Hastings has all routes out closed. Poor fella.
Cornered Desford surrenders and the bad guys win. Hilton is promptly executed and apparently exposed as H based on the evidence of... almost nothing. In fact the only evidence to say he is likely involved is an offhand comment by Lakewell which incidentally exonerates him, and the burner phone. The thing with the phone though is that we only knew Hilton used it for clandestine hookups. Why would he want to use that phone for something as critical as the murder of Arnott. What if that phone was stolen by Hastings to properly fit him up? It’s been exposed as a way of working by the balaclava gang when Cottton tried to frame Arnott in S3.
Looking forward to series 5
Actually, just in case you have..
Ridgemont said:
Countdown said:
FiF said:
Two, if DC Jamie Desford was Hilton's man why did he need Maneet to do the farcical "Oh we're changing logins etc" in order to get the copy of DI Dot Cotton's dying declaration etc.."
I don't think JD was a knowing accomplice. I think he was conned by Hilton. After all, unlike Hastings, Hilton "recognised" Desford's capabilities....... Watched series 4 finale on catch up. Great series but had a bit of a mind kerplunk while watching the last 15 mins.
The possibility of Hastings being H has been out there and running and it was a bit odd that Desford went all corrupt (and you also have the shocking flip of Maneet).
And then you have a comment from Lakewell:
"If you don't do what you're told a body gets taken out of cold storage with your DNA all over it."
“You think Hilton's top dog, how come he bricks it every time a new body's found?”
“There are some people there is no immunity from”
Lakewell is remarkably open here: not only is not Hilton in charge, but he explains how the actual H is running things. And that H appears to be untouchable (because he’s running the unimpeachable AC team?). And that Hilton is terrified of the mo of the rogue network.
But in all that what isn’t explicitly examined is why Hilton has fallen foul of what is in theory his fellow conspirators? What has Hilton done that ensured that he had to be offed? It is presented as tho at the end that he is just ‘silenced’ to prevent him blabbing, by the actual H.
What if Hilton isn’t even a dog, neverminding top. He knows what’s going on though: therefore Lakewell’s comment. But why on earth would he be terrified if he was genuinely corrupt. After all he would be part of the team that is running riot.
It suddenly struck me that if you rewatch it you can make an argument that Hilton is the cop with integrity. Sure he’s an insufferable prick and a philanderer. But there is another option.
He suspects H is Hastings. He approaches Maneet to try and provide evidence - she gets hold of Cotton’s last words, confirming his fear. He’s of the view that AC12 may be thoroughly corrupt.
Maneet hacks Desford because at this stage Desford isn’t in contact with Hilton. He’s just a hapless office junior.
He then approaches Desford as he seems likely to be trustworthy following being dumped on by Hastings.
He briefs Desford on his suspicions re the identity of H and gets him hooked up with AC9 potentially to open a file on Hastings.
Desford is to keep an eye on attempts to implicate Hilton, as he has a strong suspicion that Hastings will be coming after him (there probably is no guidance re lakewell and Desford appears to be happy to watch the interrogation switch to lakewell up until the question of the burner phone and Hilton is brought into the frame). Again that suggests that both Desford and Hilton are unaware of the importance of Lakewell up until the moment that Lakewell is tied to the burner phone. Not something that Hilton would have been happy about if he genuinely was the 2nd stage in the phone comms. Any questioning of lakewell would, if Hilton was genuinely guilty, would probably have required Desford to intervene. But I suggest both Desford and Hilton had no idea about the importance of lakewell. We’ll return to the burner phone.
Once Hilton is linked into the phone chain Desford knows that Hilton is in trouble and also that Hastings will act against Hilton.
He phones Hilton who scarpers out of his office, and is going to send in AC9 as AC12 is compromised and tells Desford to get out before Hastings gets back, as Arnott tells Hastings that AC9 will be picking him up.
Hastings knowing that Lakewell is in danger of being nabbed by genuinely non corrupt officers has to act. One of the balaclava men is also in situ possibly at Hastings instruction. Hastings kills balaclava man thus tying up one lose end.
He’s of the mind to ensure that no one is getting away with Lakewell.
Arnott then points out if Desford tries to get out with lakewell he’ll be dead shortly thereafter. Now if you rewatch that scene and put the other Alice through the looking glass perspective on it, Desford could basically listen to Arnott’s ‘persuasion’ and believe (probably correctly) that the statement is a threat (‘if you leave this building you are a dead man!’), Someone has arrived to clean up the loose threads that would be Desford running off with Lakeland and the evidence to nail Hastings, but it isn’t a hypothetical balaclava gang. It’s the AC12 goon squad and Hastings.
That’s why Lakeland is remarkably composed during the entire episode. He only gets nervous when Desford tries to get him out. Desford assumes that Hilton (‘he’s got my back!’ How touching but hardly the words of a bent copper) will be able to extricate him from a vipers nest. Not so much. Hastings has all routes out closed. Poor fella.
Cornered Desford surrenders and the bad guys win. Hilton is promptly executed and apparently exposed as H based on the evidence of... almost nothing. In fact the only evidence to say he is likely involved is an offhand comment by Lakewell which incidentally exonerates him, and the burner phone. The thing with the phone though is that we only knew Hilton used it for clandestine hookups. Why would he want to use that phone for something as critical as the murder of Arnott. What if that phone was stolen by Hastings to properly fit him up? It’s been exposed as a way of working by the balaclava gang when Cottton tried to frame Arnott in S3.
Looking forward to series 5
Edited by Ridgemont on Monday 4th February 23:49
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