The Intrigue

Hastings feels the wrath of an anti-corruption enquiry into his conduct.

This is a good finish to the fifth season with some great performances.

The plot is enjoyable and gives several characters the opportunity to shine. I think the main draw is writing, staging and acting of the interrogation scenes. "As you well know" Line of Duty produces strong drama out of this type of character exchange and this one has the benefit of using Adrian Dunbar to great effect along with Anna Maxwell Martin.

At this point in the show we have seen a lot of this type of drama before so it feels quite by-the-numbers. You know all will seem lost before some piece of evidence pulls it out of the fire. As for the characters, there aren't many left now who haven't either been locked up or both sides of the interrogation desk.

Series 5 started out very well but for me lost a bit of momentum after the best character was killed off. Overall it is solid entertainment.

Since when is assumption a fact??!! Anna Maxwell Martins character Carmichael is absolutely pompous and induces rage in me I can't even describe. Carmichael makes unsubstantiated claims them as fact time after time. I don't know if that's a thing in the UK but she would be chewed up and spit out here. Zero evidence on Hastings all assumptions. Annnnd the writers I got a bone to pick with y'all. Character development is a thing. This whole season of Hastings acting completely out of character to his AC12 pride in his accomplishments. The actors though OMG Adrian Dunbar, Vicky McClure, Martin Compston, Anna Maxwell Martin and Taj Atwal I love her I enjoy everything she's in.

All through the series we were waiting for a glass box head to head. We finally got it in the finale and in spades too. Superb showing from Dunbar going through the full spectrum of emotions in this epic interview scene surpassing that of the series 3 finale. Hats off to the cast. This is what LOD is all about. Big long interview scenes packed with information and intrigue in full Tarantino'esque fashion.

This series simmered initially, by part four though, it totally burst into flames, producing some sizzling, intense drama.

This finale, wasn't the episode I'd expected, and certainly didn't follow the pattern of previous finales. Not an action packed all guns blazing episode, this was a very dialogue heavy, intense drama, with the kind of intense dialogue I personally love.

Exceptional performances, Adrian Dunbar and Anna Maxwell Martin both gave outstanding performances, as did Polly Walker, always in the shadows, but she, as always was intensely charismatic. Some of the scenes between Martin and Dunbar were incredible, she was chilling.

The writing, once again proved to be a huge winner, with some incredible links to the past. When you think you know it all, think again.

I'm sure there will be some that won't quite enjoy this one so much, as it is very heavy, dialogue driven drama, with some of the main players taking a back seat.

Series 6 can't come soon enough. 10/10

One of the best Cop shows out there, to put simply. A must watch. Long story short, Line of duty is Unmissable.