A character study on Ryan 'bent b@st@rd' Pilkington would be super interesting at the end of series 6 - these are very cool videos, I'm glad someone is giving LoD the analysis it deserves!
Another insightful post! I think the saddest thing about John Corbett(by any of his names) was that he never had any agency of his own. He was never in charge of his life, only reacting to the events around him. And constantly striving for it.
Haha true. I think Ted argued he was seeking to have the undercover operation approved retroactively, which technically could have been allowed, like we saw with Steve going undercover against Lindsay Denton (if Steve could have kept it in his pants).
Excuse all the comments, I binged all your LoD studies today ;) I think the defining factor making John good rather than neutral is actually his broken mental state. By the time of the show he's been undercover in an extremely violent gang for months without any backup. At one point he almost shoots himself when talking to Steve. I think he can be excused for a lot of his worst actions because of his sheer desperation to bring down the gang and the massive mental pressure deliberately heaped on him. He probably wouldn't have taken such actions if he wasn't under such mental stress. IMO, the most tragic character in the show. Great performance from Graham and a great analysis from you here :)
Good video. I especially like you pointing out the contrasts and similarities between Corbett and Hastings. Corbett has been one of my favourite Line of Duty characters. I would like to add: 1) Corbett like Hastings is motivated by a desire for justice (as a UCO with commendations) and revenge (for his mothers supposed betrayal). I like how in season 5 both Hastings and Corbetts actions are ambiguous in this regard. E.g. Take the order to shoot Corbett from Hastings, the stated reason being immediate threat to life (due to death of Hargreaves/Bindra + Corbett pulling out a gun), however this order is given just moments after learning about the assault on Hastings' wife. 2) When mentioning the "bad" things Corbett has done it is important to remember that Corbett had to do these things to maintain his cover (as Corbett himself tells Steve in ep.3). Corbett is visibly distraught after finding out he (accidently) killed Lester Hargreaves, even saying "that was on me", unlike the other killings where he had to keep his cover. Finding out that he (accidently) killed an officer needlessly pushes him over the edge into torturing Hastings' wife. His reaction to Lester's death shows that in - his own mind at least - Corbett believed he had to kill the other "bent coppers" to protect himself, despite this Corbett would risk his cover to protect people he knew were innocent. I feel this shows a stregnth of moral character in the tough situation he was in. 3) Corbetts "bad" actions were all in the pursuit of a moral goal in bringing down "H", it could be argued that ends could justify the means to chop the head off the OCG. That said similar consequentialist arguments about "trust in the police" is used by many antagonists (both OCG and regular cops) who interfere in AC-12 to protect the Police's image. 4) I felt sorry for Corbett that, when he gives up his quest for justice/revenge on H by blowing his cover to save the immigrant women, he is killed and fails to save anyone. You could say that trying to save the girls is a big character moment for Corbett were he chooses to help people in immediate danger and blow his cover however this seems in keeping with his established charcter (in the police shootings he protected the innocent). What is different in this case is that Corbett wouldn't be able to hide he was a UCO, showing despite his desire for revenge he valued innocent life more. 5) For the reasons above I would argue that Corbett is morally a better person than Denton (another great character). It must be remembered that (while concerned about justice for Karli) Lindsey lied to protect herself, commited assault on an annoying neighbour, and that Denton also held vital evidence about Sandsview - claiming that she would only hand it over to AC-12 if reinstated into the police (a morally grey act). Corbett meanwhile lied to protect others (his family) and with selfless disregard risks his own life and cover (and chance at revenge) to protect the innocent. Denton's own sacrifice conversly could be argued to be (at least in part) motivated by a desire for revenge against "the Caddy" (the man who ruined her life). 6) The above leads me to believe that Corbett may be the most moral cop seen so far on Line of Duty and that he was just in a terrible situation. It was a welcome subversion to have AC-12 chasing after a man whose "corruption" was almost entirely based on his own righteousness and desire for justice. Corbett and Hastings were the standout performances of Season 5. I know this was a long comment, but I love this show.
I'm sorry to say, but that brutal assault on Hasting's wife eliminated any sympathy that I may have had on Corbett. That was just a pure evil attack, and you can justify it all you like, if you do that, you are sick, twisted and evil person. I saw that knife attack on him as him getting his comeuppance. He was not a good person as far as am concerned. Using a power drill on a defenceless woman is not the act of a morally good person.
I’m so many years late to this, but I would liked to have known more about Lisa McQueen. Yeah she had moments of so called decency but what led her there and to be so hard faced, and why did she betray John?
It was all kept pretty ambiguous in Season 5. All paramilitary groups in Belfast in the 1980s would have had grievances with informants, and it never really specified which group was behind Anne Marie's murder. Probably best that they left it that way and didn't drag too much politics into the story.
They kept it vague wether it was the IVF, IRA etc. Probably to keep the show out of politics. Same as when they referenced Jimmy Savile but didnt name him
@@ClemsContent I may be completely wrong, but I believe the implication was the IRA was suspected since Ted was a Catholic? Of course it may have been any group in reality that performed the killing. This would also fit with him being betrayed by his own (presumably Protestant) colleagues in the RUC afterwards. Apologies if speculation, could be talking nonsense ;)
I liked Corbett's character and Graham did brilliantly at playing him, but it fucked me off when he ended up dead at the end of episode 4. Felt like the writers got arrogant and did it for shock value.
@@adamburke4738 Yes I did watch the series, don't jump to a simple conclusion just because someone disagrees with something they saw. I know that he tortured Hasting's wife to get information on him,using similar methods that were used on his mother when she was kidnapped in his youth for informing on the Royal Ulster Constabularly, believing that Hastings was responsible for what happened to his mother, and also thinking that Hastings was "H" or the "fourth person" that he later became to be known, after being manipulating into thinking this by Gill Biggelow, "H" of course being revealed to be Buckles at the end of season 6. Don't be simple minded like the character Michael Farmer in season 4 by just thinking someone mustn't have watched a series if they have their own view on it. I still think he deserved that killing after what he did. I was actually hooked through this entire series, particularly the Linday Denton and Danny Waldron stories, and waiting anxiously for Cotton to be revealed as "the caddy" by Tommy Hunter who was the original leader who went on to be murdered when in witness protection and was also revealed to be the father and uncle of Jo Davidson. Maybe I can say you "clearly didn't watch the series" for having a different opinion on what you see that each viewer is entitled to form.
@@adamburke4738 Which gives me an opportunity to have a dig to say you clearly are incapable of reading much.😂😂😂😂😂 I found your response comical in the first place that you jumped to such a simple conclusion that couldn't be more false than Steve Arnott being guilty of what he was accused of in season 3.😂😂😂😂
I would actually go as far as to say he was a good man in an unwinnable situation. Before his undercover work he is listed as an exemplary officer. His entire motivation during his mission was to bring down a gigantic conspiracy which was playing him all along. His more questionable acts (perhaps the worst being the death of Maneet) were only done after he was put under extreme mental pressure. This was actually done by the OCG deliberately all along, making his downfall particularly cruel.
@@edwardsnowball8006 the movie version u mean. The real donnie brasco never had conflicted loyalties. He felt bad for them but never considered warning them That was fir drama in the movie
We seriously need more of these videos, especially with the new season coming up.
A character study on Ryan 'bent b@st@rd' Pilkington would be super interesting at the end of series 6 - these are very cool videos, I'm glad someone is giving LoD the analysis it deserves!
Another insightful post! I think the saddest thing about John Corbett(by any of his names) was that he never had any agency of his own. He was never in charge of his life, only reacting to the events around him. And constantly striving for it.
5:20 Ted... meticulously follows procedure"
*Pretends to be H and goes undercover alone in the OCG.*
Haha true. I think Ted argued he was seeking to have the undercover operation approved retroactively, which technically could have been allowed, like we saw with Steve going undercover against Lindsay Denton (if Steve could have kept it in his pants).
Wat a really well done study. Especially the marriage bit. Thanks for this man 👍
Thanks very much for the kind words! Glad you're enjoying it :) more content coming soon
Would be great to see videos like this of other characters.
Excuse all the comments, I binged all your LoD studies today ;)
I think the defining factor making John good rather than neutral is actually his broken mental state. By the time of the show he's been undercover in an extremely violent gang for months without any backup. At one point he almost shoots himself when talking to Steve.
I think he can be excused for a lot of his worst actions because of his sheer desperation to bring down the gang and the massive mental pressure deliberately heaped on him. He probably wouldn't have taken such actions if he wasn't under such mental stress.
IMO, the most tragic character in the show. Great performance from Graham and a great analysis from you here :)
i would personally argue Lindsey Denton
Good video. I especially like you pointing out the contrasts and similarities between Corbett and Hastings. Corbett has been one of my favourite Line of Duty characters. I would like to add:
1) Corbett like Hastings is motivated by a desire for justice (as a UCO with commendations) and revenge (for his mothers supposed betrayal). I like how in season 5 both Hastings and Corbetts actions are ambiguous in this regard. E.g. Take the order to shoot Corbett from Hastings, the stated reason being immediate threat to life (due to death of Hargreaves/Bindra + Corbett pulling out a gun), however this order is given just moments after learning about the assault on Hastings' wife.
2) When mentioning the "bad" things Corbett has done it is important to remember that Corbett had to do these things to maintain his cover (as Corbett himself tells Steve in ep.3). Corbett is visibly distraught after finding out he (accidently) killed Lester Hargreaves, even saying "that was on me", unlike the other killings where he had to keep his cover. Finding out that he (accidently) killed an officer needlessly pushes him over the edge into torturing Hastings' wife. His reaction to Lester's death shows that in - his own mind at least - Corbett believed he had to kill the other "bent coppers" to protect himself, despite this Corbett would risk his cover to protect people he knew were innocent. I feel this shows a stregnth of moral character in the tough situation he was in.
3) Corbetts "bad" actions were all in the pursuit of a moral goal in bringing down "H", it could be argued that ends could justify the means to chop the head off the OCG. That said similar consequentialist arguments about "trust in the police" is used by many antagonists (both OCG and regular cops) who interfere in AC-12 to protect the Police's image.
4) I felt sorry for Corbett that, when he gives up his quest for justice/revenge on H by blowing his cover to save the immigrant women, he is killed and fails to save anyone. You could say that trying to save the girls is a big character moment for Corbett were he chooses to help people in immediate danger and blow his cover however this seems in keeping with his established charcter (in the police shootings he protected the innocent). What is different in this case is that Corbett wouldn't be able to hide he was a UCO, showing despite his desire for revenge he valued innocent life more.
5) For the reasons above I would argue that Corbett is morally a better person than Denton (another great character). It must be remembered that (while concerned about justice for Karli) Lindsey lied to protect herself, commited assault on an annoying neighbour, and that Denton also held vital evidence about Sandsview - claiming that she would only hand it over to AC-12 if reinstated into the police (a morally grey act). Corbett meanwhile lied to protect others (his family) and with selfless disregard risks his own life and cover (and chance at revenge) to protect the innocent. Denton's own sacrifice conversly could be argued to be (at least in part) motivated by a desire for revenge against "the Caddy" (the man who ruined her life).
6) The above leads me to believe that Corbett may be the most moral cop seen so far on Line of Duty and that he was just in a terrible situation. It was a welcome subversion to have AC-12 chasing after a man whose "corruption" was almost entirely based on his own righteousness and desire for justice. Corbett and Hastings were the standout performances of Season 5.
I know this was a long comment, but I love this show.
I'm sorry to say, but that brutal assault on Hasting's wife eliminated any sympathy that I may have had on Corbett. That was just a pure evil attack, and you can justify it all you like, if you do that, you are sick, twisted and evil person. I saw that knife attack on him as him getting his comeuppance. He was not a good person as far as am concerned. Using a power drill on a defenceless woman is not the act of a morally good person.
I’m so many years late to this, but I would liked to have known more about Lisa McQueen. Yeah she had moments of so called decency but what led her there and to be so hard faced, and why did she betray John?
this is real good content .Thank you
Well dang, the Lindsay Denton video is blocked in America. The ones of Dot Cotton and John Corbett were not blocked. Why is that, I wonder.
Maybe she is a more famous actress in America?
@@kahkah1986 I don’t think that the average American would have a clue who she is.
@@davidhull1481 true, that is what I would assume as well.
Great video mate
Thanks very much :) glad you enjoyed it!
These are really good. You should do more of them. But no need for the loud background music
Thanks. I will be doing more after S6 is finshed
Could you do one on Tommy
I can definitely put him on the to-do list :) video on Dot coming soon!
After many requests, I have opened a discord server. Get ready to join my best team discord.gg/4fKCvqFH8e
Need to do one for Ryan pilkington
Love these videos but please turn down the mix of the background music, very intrusive to the main content.
By palamilitary groups do you mean UVF
It was all kept pretty ambiguous in Season 5. All paramilitary groups in Belfast in the 1980s would have had grievances with informants, and it never really specified which group was behind Anne Marie's murder. Probably best that they left it that way and didn't drag too much politics into the story.
They kept it vague wether it was the IVF, IRA etc. Probably to keep the show out of politics. Same as when they referenced Jimmy Savile but didnt name him
@@ThepPixel I’ve rewatched the series and found out she was murdered by Irish republican paramilitary groups
@@ClemsContent I may be completely wrong, but I believe the implication was the IRA was suspected since Ted was a Catholic? Of course it may have been any group in reality that performed the killing.
This would also fit with him being betrayed by his own (presumably Protestant) colleagues in the RUC afterwards. Apologies if speculation, could be talking nonsense ;)
I liked Corbett's character and Graham did brilliantly at playing him, but it fucked me off when he ended up dead at the end of episode 4. Felt like the writers got arrogant and did it for shock value.
He got what was coming to him for attacking an innocent, defenseless woman with a power drill, despite what "good reasons" he might think he had.
@@bpoleary1 clearly you didn’t watch the series.
@@adamburke4738 Yes I did watch the series, don't jump to a simple conclusion just because someone disagrees with something they saw. I know that he tortured Hasting's wife to get information on him,using similar methods that were used on his mother when she was kidnapped in his youth for informing on the Royal Ulster Constabularly, believing that Hastings was responsible for what happened to his mother, and also thinking that Hastings was "H" or the "fourth person" that he later became to be known, after being manipulating into thinking this by Gill Biggelow, "H" of course being revealed to be Buckles at the end of season 6. Don't be simple minded like the character Michael Farmer in season 4 by just thinking someone mustn't have watched a series if they have their own view on it. I still think he deserved that killing after what he did. I was actually hooked through this entire series, particularly the Linday Denton and Danny Waldron stories, and waiting anxiously for Cotton to be revealed as "the caddy" by Tommy Hunter who was the original leader who went on to be murdered when in witness protection and was also revealed to be the father and uncle of Jo Davidson. Maybe I can say you "clearly didn't watch the series" for having a different opinion on what you see that each viewer is entitled to form.
@@bpoleary1 😂😂 I ain’t gonna read your essay bud. It’s actually comical that you’re triggered two years after this comment was posted.
@@adamburke4738 Which gives me an opportunity to have a dig to say you clearly are incapable of reading much.😂😂😂😂😂 I found your response comical in the first place that you jumped to such a simple conclusion that couldn't be more false than Steve Arnott being guilty of what he was accused of in season 3.😂😂😂😂
Jon is ted’s son
I think John is an awful man he did a few good things but he still did way more bad stuff
May have gone too deep like Donnie Brasco.
Nah I think he was well meaning but crossed the line and went too deep undercover
I would actually go as far as to say he was a good man in an unwinnable situation.
Before his undercover work he is listed as an exemplary officer. His entire motivation during his mission was to bring down a gigantic conspiracy which was playing him all along. His more questionable acts (perhaps the worst being the death of Maneet) were only done after he was put under extreme mental pressure. This was actually done by the OCG deliberately all along, making his downfall particularly cruel.
@@SerMattzio agreed
@@edwardsnowball8006 the movie version u mean. The real donnie brasco never had conflicted loyalties. He felt bad for them but never considered warning them
That was fir drama in the movie