Such a great line for Hastings but you didn't finish... _"Jesus, Mary and Joseph and the wee donkey can we just move this thing along before it drives us all round the bloody bend?"_
@@BenjaTV Hey Benja - do you not believe the Spanish police captain is James Nesbitt in disguise...lol...look at those eyebrows!! We are never shown Thurwell's body very clearly and you certainly don't see the face - so how do they know it's him?? He could have faked his own death and still be running the OCG from Spain??!!
Yeah it really seems like they are trying to direct our attention towards Carmichael and Osbourne but I feel they are just bad cops not necessarily OCG cops.
Kate only ran because the surveillance was pulled, she no longer had evidence that she shot Ryan in self-defence and knew that even if she did turn herself in she couldn't trust Ted or Patricia. Not sure why you constantly think Kate is being 'out of character,' it's been very apparent to me that she's finally opened up now she's off AC-12. She never wanted to go back so it's only natural for her to push away the instincts that working in anti-corruption gave her. She also wants to protect Jo because she's the first person in her life for a long time other than Steve to allow her to be comfortable. Every female she's had to be close to has been due to an undercover. Kate's best friend got killed, her marriage is over, it's no surprise she wants to protect the one new person in her life that gives her an ounce of love. I really enjoyed this episode, it was nice to have a moment to breathe before the finale. It was nice to be able to connect the dots as it went along rather than pausing and going back. We all would have got burned out if the plot accelerated at a consistent rate as it has been for the last two episodes. And quite frankly the last two episodes haven't been that fast-paced outside of a few integral scenes (the ambush, the shooting).
Okay, so Joe is the only person who makes Kate feel comfortable and who has given her an ounce of love. On the other hand, she has just tried to have her murdered. I don’t know about you, but that would definitely make me reassess my relationship with somebody.
@@Tukulti-Ninurta Obviously Kate felt more sure of that before the shooting incident. However, Kate also understands that Jo didn't want to, Ryan openly told Kate that. Jo is desperate and would do anything to get away from the OCG, Kate possesses the empathy to know that. Kate will have reassessed her relationship with Jo. Kate also knows that Jo is taking the fall for her by putting the prints on her gun, that showed Kate that Jo does care for her - enough to go to prison and most likely be killed for her.
I think they kind of passed that off when they said Jo wasn't fire armed trained but Kate is. The way he was shot twice close together. I think a flashback would be good, he was a big character and needed a better ending.
@Party Vegetable No, those who have been caught and are on the inside (in prison) will be punished. Namely by those two female guards who keep popping up
Nice breakdown Benjamin Anyone else look closely at the night vision raid? The captain of the Guarda Civil looks like James Nesbitt 🤔..... Or am I just being paranoid?!?!? 😳😳😳
Absolutely agree with your summary of Kate's character this season. She appears to have taken leave of her senses and the status quo isn't great for her. Absolutely love Ted Hastings. He's had his hands tied from day 1 and always in a fight. Not sure how much fight he will have left.
i think kate might have feelings for jo meaning her views and judgements are biased and clouded; it's clear her loyalty now lies with jo, i mean why else would she go through all that trouble to drive away from police in that chase scene, other than to protect jo from her fate in prison? that's one of the only reasonable explanations i can think of to justify kate's actions this season.
@@thedragonsunicorn - Well, Nigel Morten, Mike Dryden, Ian Buckles, Mannet Bindra, Mark Moffatt, Kieran Bloom, Jane Cafferty, Jamie Desford, Tony Gates, Lindsay Denton, Jayne Akers, Hari Baines, Lambert, Martina Tranter, John Corbett, Lester Hargreaves, Gill Bigeloe, Manish Prasad, Jeremy Cole, Derek Hilton, Dot Cotton, Philip Osbourne, Patrick Fairbank, Marcus Thurwell and of course Ryan Pilkington and Joanne Davidson were all police officers. And even Hastings was very questionable in her mind at this point after what Steve had told her. I don't think Kate trusts the police.
It seems that the OCG will come out relatively unscathed from this season. They just keep bumping off anyone who has served their purpose. I hope H is finally exposed but doubtless there are other bent coppers. It will be interesting to see where Ted and Steve end up after episode 7 because it looks like they are both finished. Agree the season has made a mess of Kate's character, hopefully that will be fixed in the next season.
is there still 'an' OCG? I thought the point was there was no longer one organisation but all the smaller ones were tied together by using the corrupt senior officers, so no more corrupt senior officers = no easy dealings for any OCGs, so they would die off in the future - probably off screen though
Technically, there are multiple OCGs, but whatever the makeup, they still have control over corrupt prison guards, inmates and probably other police officers.
Defo not bent. Yeah she’s proper nasty but she’s only doing it to further her career prospects. I thinks she’s too straight laced for the Ted,Steve & Kate mateyness and banter. That’s why she’s so cold towards Hastings - Nice red herring I reckon
I think the way Kate acted was appropriate given what she had gone through. She thought she was being set up and didn’t know who to trust. I thought she was going to shoot herself for a minute as Steve had “betrayed” her
Yeah, people seem to forget Kate has never had a female friend really. Her best friend got killed in S2. Any female she's been close to since then has been an undercover. No wonder she wants to protect Jo, she's the first friend outside of Steve she's had in years.
@@Sallyisfailingtofunctionx me too!! i'm probably just wishful thinking at this point, but oh how i hope the main three _and_ jo are all going to make it out of the finale alive.
I think Carmichael has been working Osborne from the inside, pretending to be a trusted lieutenant carrying out the hatchet job for him on AC-12. She’ll do show and tell next week on him. I think when she told Kate she was pragmatic it was important and a clear indicator that she does what’s best for her career. Nothing could be better than bringing down H and she knows she needs Kate on the team
Hi Benja! Awesome job as always, I was chomping at the bit for your review to come out :) I am so glad that I am not alone in feeling disappointed with this episode. Like you say, we didn't really get anything 'extra' from it. It was great but compared to the last two, it lacked something... still, I will be sad when it comes to a close. Looking forward to your video on Friday. Have a good week!
I was truly disappointed with this episode. So underwhelming, and we got no new developments to further the story. They just dragged everything out for no reason. So sad, considering last few episodes have been great.
Kate seemed like she was putting it on when she said Steve had set her up, i think she was faking, they are tight, they have a secret protocol if either of them needs to make a quick getaway. She knows she can trust Steve. Is she working undercover for another unit
This is one of the best analysis I've heard. Thank You. It was a real anti climax to watch Ryan dead and Kate on the run for 20 minutes. To no end. What about the tracking devices on the Car? We saw Jo Davidson put one on Kate's car last series. Surely there is a link if all the cars have them then. It HAS to be Osborne
I think next week Jo will talk again once she finds out Thurwell is “dead”. Still don’t believe it myself as it wasn’t completely confirmed it was him we just saw a dead body, could be an OCG person that went to kill Thurwell
Or Thurwell himself could have faked it either to get people off his tail or because he knew the ocg wanted to dispose of him. Could he turn informant for witness protection!?
Tilbs 11 ok I see 👌I find myself on her side and feel she is still important to the outcome. In each series there was a trapped cop who was still trying to do the right thing in the end. Even Dot Cotton the caddy sacrifices himself to save Kate then tried to spill the beans in the end. I think his H could be the start of some bodies Christian name or headquarters as he only got one letter out before he died.
@@tilbs1147 Unless those guarding her are conveniently changed to those who might do her harm, which I'm sure could be arranged considering the murder the same prison in a previous episode, and the corruption high up in the police.
One thing that I'm surprised you didn't mention was that although trackers being put on all ACG cars (although isn't Steve's car his own personal car so wouldn't it require a court order to put one on his car, and how would they even know where his car was) I'm still bemused at how the police knew exactly where to put the roadblock and how they'd know they'd even drive that way? Plus it would take time to arrange and coordinate multiple roadblocks and the number of armed police that would have been needed to cover off all possible routes. I just found this scene and the Spanish raid to be very odd and improbable scenarios that were just there to move the storyline along, as well as most of Kate's actions during this episode, and most of the entire season if I'm being honest.
Except the car chase didn’t even move the story along! The story would have moved along a lot more quickly and as effectively if Kate and Jo had driven straight to AC 12!
@@Tukulti-Ninurta I guess if I'm being kind to the writers it added a bit more action and tension with them trying to escape arrest, but I just don't think it was at all thought out. Surely Kate would have been suspended after doing this regardless of the circumstances of the shooting of Ryan pending investigations into it and not just questioned before heading up the investigation she was on. I'm also shocked that she didn't think that they're be watching Steve's car, regardless of the tracker, and still very shocked at how they knew exactly which road they'd be going down and have a road block set up almost before they'd even set off!!!
Kate feels badly written this season. The whole Jo-mance thing makes no sense because she’s literally never been bi before. And as you say the scene where she randomly flees the police seemed ridiculous. Also reaching for her gun and refusing to give it over was both nonsensical and stupid. Easily could have got herself shot for no reason.
@@nicolai6161 I don't think so. If she was undercover why would she have been meeting covertly with Steve? If undercover she'd have contacts in the new team she was now working in. Also, if she's undercover, but the Chief Constable is merging all other Anti Corruption units together then who is she working for? And if she was moved from working for AC-12 because of suspicions over Ted being corrupt why wasn't he immediately suspended pending further enquiries, and why is he still being allowed to sit in on the interviews, being an active part of the questioning? I guess you could say that he'd will think it would make him think he wasn't under suspicion, but then why retire him at the end of the month if that was the case? If she is working for Carmichael because of this, which can be the only other option, as they can hardly introduce new characters in the final episode of the season, why did she have that stand off with the police after the car chase, she'd know she wouldn't have been set up as she'd have been planted in the team and as it was Carmichael that was the one who set this all up. Add to this she wouldn't have texted Steve about the meetup with Davidson, but would have contacted her other team. It makes no sense. If this is true, which it could be, it is another downhill slide moment of one of the best shows on television. I don't expect this to happen as nearly all of her actions and responses to other characters this season don't back this up.
Tbh I'm not against the jo-mance thing seeing as the sexuality of different characters adds nothing to the plot-line but does add slightly more depth to the character and hints at any possible arcs depending on who they're attracted to. The ambiguity around Kate's sexuality doesn't turn the whole plot on its head but it adds slightly more depth to her character and hints at a romantic arc between her and Jo. Besides, there were slight hints of Kate possibly being bisexual as in one of the scripts for series 2. There was a stage direction that mentioned how Kate and Lindsay interacted with eachother in a "sapphic" way. Sapphic is a term that derived from the Greek poet, Sappho, who lived on the island of Lesbos and expressed her attraction to women through poetry. The only thing I'm worried about is the concept of queer-baiting. Like many people, I want both Kate and Jo to have a happy ending, I'm not expecting them to kiss at the end but I want to see something that insinuates their relationship will actually go somewhere rather than have the BBC queer-bait the shit out of their audience who want something to ensue between these characters because of how great their dynamic is.
@Andy Mac If Kate is undercover as many suggest I don't see how she can be that concerned she's being framed. When watching three first time I had no doubt that Kate thought she was being framed, but she surely didn't think she was being framed by AC-12 and I don't see why she didn't just go straight to AC-12, that would have been the safest place. I am still confused as to how all the roadblocks were put up so quickly, that just wouldn't have been possible unless they're set them up hours before, and before Kate and Jo borrowed Steve's car so how did they know where they'd be heading?
I've got two remarks: 1. At one point, Kate says (I can't remember who she was talking to at the time) that "Jo nearly said the name of her relative". Did she? I don't remember Jo doing that. 2. During Jo's interview, Ted says that. "The 'missing' Operation Lighthouse files that were found under the floor in your flat later appeared in the boot of Ian Buckles' service vehicle". How was that possible? Surely if they'd been found under the floor in Jo's flat, they'd have then been entered into evidence, so how did they then end up in Buckels' boot?
Be interested to hear your take on what might happen at Steve's occupational health appointment. Keep up the good work, really interesting content, as always.
I do entertain the possibility that Thurwell might be alive. But Line of Duty has used the flashback element in season 2, where we saw how DI Lindsey Denton became compromised. I think it’s possible that Thurwell could be used similarly in the finale, possibly to reveal the final H. Whoever the final H is, I have to consider an officer who has a unique ability to both promote other corrupt officers, but also to recruit the officers to begin with. I also think with everyone pointing the finger at Osbourne, maybe the real H is steering AC-12 towards Osbourne, maybe incriminating him in Gail’s murder, only to have Osbourne’s replacement as Chief Constable to be the final H. Namely I think DCC Andrea Wise
I disagree with your analysis of Kate's characterization: Kate's behaviors are different because her role is different on Davidson's team; Kate is not hunting down bad coppers. Kate has undergone a radical change as a result of Hastings disciplinary issues. Kate's character shows a more in-depth human side: more emotional, focus on relationships, and the issues her emotions conflict with being a DI. The show also emphasizes the human side of Steve with his drug problems and with women, and Hastings' distress with his impending retirement: he doesn't want to leave the job undone. All three major characters are different because the situation in season 6 is topsy-turvy. Watching the characters change, as in real -life, is difficult because the viewer wants them to remain the beloved characters of the earlier seasons. Having the characters remain the same would not be realistic. For some of these reasons, I think season 6 is another outstanding season that will have an explosive finale, including explosive emotions and police work.
Carmichael used Morse Code in the No Comment interview 3 times (2 when she was on screen. with 1 off screen) - Watch her with the Pen. What's your thoughts ?
Well, I wasn't so much disappointed by this episode, just left feeling a little puzzled. I will say to start off, I'm disappointed with how Ryan was killed off screen, given how good a character he has been, he deserved more and that's where I agree, sacrificing story for shock value is rarely a good move. I think Kate's actions, while coming across as rash, fit what is going on in the story. As you say she couldn't be sure of who was going to turn up next so she had to get herself and Jo out of there and to a place of safety. I like that Steve and Kate have that contingency but they do need to work on what they do next once it's activated. But once they are cornered and Kate makes the remark that Steve is in on it, I think that exemplifies that she really doesn't know who to trust anymore after what Steve told her about Ted and Corbett. And I think it shows her inner conflict coming out in a way, she moved on from Anti-Corruption to try and move forward in her life and career and it has ended up following her anyway. Regarding the interrogation, I think that was the part of this episode I found most puzzling, it left me with more questions than answers which I feel is the opposite of what they should be doing, especially at this point. Jo did seem genuinely shocked by the reveal of Tommy being her father but as you also pointed out, she clearly reacts to Thurlwell's picture so that must be who she presumed or was told was her father. Also as an aside, coming out of the interview, I find myself questioning if I am right about Buckells just being a pawn, it still seems like that is all he is and given Jo was still receiving messages while Buckells has been in custody seems to rule him out of being corrupt. Regarding Thurlwell, it is a well reasoned assertion you made regarding them having James Nesbitt in the role, if he had just been another random face - presumably like a production member or extra, we wouldn't care for the character so it is clever what they've done there. Now onto the Osborne/Carmichael dilemma - I really do feel by this point it is too obvious to be Osborne, to borrow some of the logic you used about Carmichael, I wonder if Osborne has been fully aware of the corruption in the force and rather than challenge it, he has allowed it to run rampant and almost flourish in the force to allow him to rise to the top but now he is there, he needs to clear away all those that are left before they target him or try to bring him down so he may not have been directly involved but he certainly may have benefitted. Regarding Carmichael, it is an interesting take on her motivations you have given here and it is fairly plausible but then again I feel if she was really doing her job properly, she would fully pursue the lines of enquiry that point to Osborne. I mean this would be an ample opportunity to bring him down and then DCC Wise would assume command of the force and that would leave the DCC post possibly open to Carmichael so her motivations seem shady, in my opinion. To round off, I read somewhere that Chloe gave a nod to Carmichael after shredding the picture and people are trying to latch onto that as proof she is bent. I rewatched that scene and I wouldn't call it a nod and even if it was, I think it is just her telling Carmichael that she has done what was asked. This has been one hell of a rollercoaster and I don't know where it's headed and I'm sure you'll probably have a review next week but I just wanted to say thanks to you for sharing these videos, opening up discussion and engaging people to share their theories, I have enjoyed it a lot each week and it's made me realise how much of a fan of this show I really am. Here's hoping we get all the answers and if not, then hopefully one last series instead.
I have been thinking all along that Kate's fierce loyalty to Jo went beyond the work place. Could her erratic and out of character behavior be that of someone in love? In the beginning of the season, something was stirring between the 2 of them and then appeared to be dropped. Or was it?
Wasn't dropped at all, in fact, last nights episode confirmed it. Jo said to Kate "I thought you were pretending" (to liking Jo). Jo then hints that she was asking in relation to her sexuality. Kate doesn't confirm it on her end, she shakes the question off, saying they need to get a move on. Jo asks again later in the car, Kate avoids the question again. So it's definitely been confirmed on Jo's side that she was interested in Kate (which we already knew from the arm touches, the sudden diary change after that hug). We just don't know if Kate ever reciprocated that yet.
@@alexandria6054 the 2nd time in the car when jo asked if kate was lying. kate replied "this is about you not me" and that line is driving me nuts. it's so ambiguous and vague.
@@thedragonsunicorn Yes! I think Kate hasn't really come to terms with everything. We've had many hints in the scripts and her lines that she may not be 100% straight. Jed literally wrote in 'sexual tension' to some of Kate and Lindsay's scenes in S2. If the entire way she's been acting around Jo has been completely fake I will be very surprised, they're definitely *very close* friends at least.
@@alexandria6054 yeah i saw that in the s2 stcripts. the term "sapphic undercuts" was used to describe a scene between lindsay and kate. if it was _that_ established for lindsay and kate, who aren't even on the same level of tension as kate and jo, then i wonder what the stage directions in the s6 script say. they must be very clear on the type of vibe going on between jo and kate. i refuse to believe that all of this going on between them is accidental, not when literally all the viewers have picked up on it!
People have been saying that one of the Spanish police is Marcus Thurwell and that the body in the ground was fake. Do you think this holds any merit or is he just dead.
I almost forgot! I wondered if the missing girl that Denton would make an appearance - the update that used to appear at the end of each series just stated that she was still missing and whereabouts unknown...
@@NanaGlover LOL...she'll come into season 7 to head the newly merged Anti- Corruption Unit while she works on her degree course in Criminal Psychology!! :-)
I think Carmichael being bent is another red herring. I do think she is desperate though. She feels acknowledged and respected by a much higher rank i.e. Chief Constable Osbourne and therefore feels she needs to defend his honour. Much to her dismay, she is merely a pawn.
Kate is by far my favourite character and I don't think she's the ultimate bad guy. However, letting Jo put her finger prints on her gun, was kinda bent...
Yeah, but that allowed Jo to take the rap for the shooting. If she hasn't done that then Kate would be in trouble. I didn't really understand why Kate would do it though as she didn't know this was the notice for Jo doing this and Kate knows that Jo is bent, even if she's been conditioned all her life to be this way, even before she was a police officer, and Jo could have just shot her, she knows when caught she's in prison for the rest of her life. It was difficult to understand at the time but played out in the episode and was necessary, even if a little convoluted and not very believable.
i think that scene was written in there, more, to serve the purposes of progressing jo and kate's relationship arc, rather than to be seen as a moral judgement on kate. i don't think jed wrote it to make kate look bad, but rather to make _jo_ look good. but fair enough.
@@thedragonsunicorn I agree that it progressed the relationship between Jo and Kate, but I think Jo knew exactly what she was doing and if did give Kate an alibi for the shooting. I'm still not quite sure why Jo continued to take the rap for the shooting in a very convoluted story during her interview with AC-12. If she hasn't handled Kate's gun then maybe she felt Kate would have been held on remand in prison and in danger of being killed, as the OCG might have thought that she had told everything to Kate. I'm not sure why she thought that Kate being lured by Ryan Pilkington to a meet that Jo could have confirmed was intended to kill her and that her actions in shooting him was self defence, and so Kate would have not been faced any charges.
@@mattpotter8725 that's really interesting. all very valid points. also you brought up a good point about jo fearing that if kate went to prison she'd be killed by the ocg. i hadn't thought of that as a reason for jo's action before. good call.
@@thedragonsunicorn I think even though Jo is obviously bent (no pun intended) she isn't doing it willingly, or at least feels as though she has no choice, I think she could have done something earlier in her career and even now, but that's another story. I think she has a rapport with Kate and does see her as someone honest who might be able to help her down the road and that's why definitely out and still on the case might help her safety in the long term, even though I think she's a gonner in the near future.
I heard I fifth light tap as well, listen to it a few times. As much I would like it to be her though, she makes me want to kick the telly in. She’s like a slug. Wonderful acting from Anna Maxwell Martin.
I think we got some bent AFO’s as on the trailer for the finale shows the decommissioned MP5 (firearm) on the hands of an Armed officer. Most likely within AC-12 or escorting the Jo. Either it’s gonna be tense
Great points as always I am glad you mentioned Kate acting out of character and the strange opening sequence, some parts made complete sense and others not at all and were very confusing I wonder if there's another group under cover maybe keeping an eye on AC-12. I only say this because I find Carmichael, Chris Lomax and Chloe a little off/suspicious but not necessarily malicious... Speaking of Chris Lomax, can't get over how much he is like Dot. The scene at the end when he's talking and we see him from behind he is identical. Weird coincidence that Dot was transferred from the Hill back in series 1
Great review! I still think the final 'H' is WISE. Carmichael is doing what she has to do for herself / her career / Osborne Odd that, when Fairbanks was to be interviewed by Vella, that didn't happen as she was murdered the evening before. Thurwell has been long retired / 'off radar' / perhaps in Spain. Fairbanks is then questioned about Thurwell and then, not only do Civil Guard have an address for Thurwell, decomposing bodies are found. Thurwell probably in Spain, the 'Unknown' having a Spanish IP address, Thurwell then APPARENTLY being found dead; Convenient??? And, meanwhile, the DCC's Office has been controlling / monitoring all of this AC12 investigation. A clever 'H' (Wise) might knowingly use a Spanish VPN, thus implicating Thurwell, who is seemingly dead, thus no further Line Of Inquiry. Oh, and wait for Fairbanks to be released on licence....and abscond abroad...and his health then to recover. Two of the most AT RISK categories in prison are corrupt Police and sex offenders. Despite this, Fairbanks has remained unscathed and transferred to an Open Prison due to 'ill health'... So much of this centres around OCG (Hunter), CSE (Sands View) and VICE Squad Officers (Fairbanks) that has then spread / developed
Great breakdown. I agree with everything you said. The car chase - why? Kate looking like she's going to go for her gun! You can trace the slide in quality/credibility of LoD from the increase in popularity/media focus on 'who is 'H'?' Basically the 'Dot signing Morse code when he was dying' scene: 'Dot, dot, dot, dot. Four dots is Morse code for 'H'. There's four aitches'. WHAT!? A) It was a still image. B) If four dots is 'H', then him signing four dots = one 'H'. Unless he did sixteen dots. C) His name is 'Dot'. He might just have been sitting saying his name. D) To use that as the basis for an ongoing investigation shows that AC-12 probably do need disbanding.
Assuming it was Thurwell messaging Jo, don't you think the body in the Spanish villa was too decomposed for it to be Thurwell? It was at most a couple of days since the message was sent and the police raid on the house. Spain is quite hot so the body would decompose faster, but considering it was in-doors it still seemed too fast. I don't believe the theory that the Spanish captain was actually Thurwell, but the timeline doesn't match up. It could just be an oversight by the writers, but still something worth considering.
I speculated in the video that someone posing as Thurwell used a Spanish VPN and manipulated Jo. And I think that person was Osborne aka the Fourth Man.
Excellent , can you discuss how with osbourne now prime suspect for being H, how the very first scene and situation involving Steve arnott might be linked or related to what is happening now, and whether or not osborne had anything strategically linked to Arnott going into AC12
Great work Benja. We know how Jed likes to drop clues in certain. The blatant imagery of S1 on the pillars of the car park where Kate meets Steve towards the end strikes me as a clue. To what though, series 1?
I think this season was written so it can work whether or not they get another. It'll wrap up what we know about "the other man" and, if this is the end, it's the end. If they get another season, Thurwell will be shown to have faked his death and he'll come back to the UK.
Interesting that in S5E1 Ted says "We've got H, I'll put a few quid behind the bar in the Red Lion for you." The same pub where the OCG is meant to fraternitise. This must be the final place where H is revealed.
CARMICHAEL IS H BECAUSE LAVERTY TOLD STEVE IN THE VAN WHEN IT GOT AMBUSHED TO LOOK BEYOND THE RACE CLAIM AND ITS AN ANOGRAMM FOR CARMICHAEL AND THE MISSING LETTER IS H
Osbourne could be H. As the series would come full circle. In season 1, Osbourne openly ordered a whole team to cover up a shooting of an innocent man. Everyone did except Steve.
Agreed regarding Kate. Why try drive away from the police to make yourself look guilty? And also why run off with Joe who’s just set you up to be killed! Few times this series there’s been some un-realistic scenes but still been a great gripping series!
Another great breakdown, Benja. One thing I didn't get was Carmichael said all AC12 vehicles were being tracked, not necessarily personal vehicles owned by AC12 officers (Steve has another service vehicle which he was standing next to in the car park near the end and I'm pretty sure 'AC12 vehicles' was the phrase Carmichael used). You're right about the car chase but if they hadn't done that, it would haven't just been the 40 minute interview which wouldn't have worked. But they may as well have just done the standard 90 minutes, like you said. In next week's trailer, it shows some evidence from Operation Lighthouse with the wrongly spelled definately in it. As it's from Operation Lighthouse, that seems to suggest it's not Osbourne as he wouldn't have gone anywhere near it. The evidence image is obscured so it might be a red herring but it seems to fit Buckells better, doesn't it. And they've been throwing the frame on and off him all series. It seems like a Buckells thing to do as well with the misspelling. I mean we have spell checkers everywhere, how they keep misspelling that it a little hard to believe. Seems an even bigger stretch to say Osbourne was doing that. Again, Owen Teale's a big actor and he hasn't played a big part in it. Same with Andi Osho (Gail Vella). I think we'd have seen a little more of him if he were bent. Jed always chucks clues in with the people themselves giving you the clues. He doesn't hide people until the end. Looks like he's out for himself only and not the OCG. I like what you say about Thurwell being a red herring. Two very expensive photos for the production team but very clever if he's not going to play a part. Looking forward to seeing what comes up. And I really hope Kate smartens up in the next episode, she's meant to be the smart one after all. Notice they didn't have a scene with her husband and child in this one, especially after she'd been banged up for a night and a day, then gets straight on to it without rest. I wonder if that will play a part. And also, Steve's got five days left to visit Occ Health. Will he have enough time? And what about all that stuff with Steph. That seems to have been conveniently forgotten. Can't expect for the stuff about Ted not to come out. Carmichael can smell blood here. It's as if they know it's all over, Ted's got to go, whatever happens, Steve is done for and Kate has to think about her family. Maybe Carmichael's the new Ted, Chloe will be promoted to DS and Lomax up to DI. Away we go for series 7.
@@retsil99 are that would have been a good spot as the photos were shown of the attackers. Can't remember if Kate's seen who the attackers are but you'd have thought Steve would have recognised Lomax but then again Kate didn't recognise Pilkington at first and Lomax would have had his head shaved in the suspect photos. Would be good he's bent and his role gets reprised in the next series.
I’m sure there was a look from Steve when him, Kate and Lomax were stood outside the industrial unit, almost like a double take from Steve at Lomax?!?! 🤔🤔
Hadn't been watching the series only on gogglebox, it look good on there, but I thought I would give it a go. It might make some sense , I think Kate did it!!
Benja, John here in Australia. Excellent reviews, thank you. I must wait for Netflix to get season 6. Carmicheal will sort matters out, as you suggest, regarding her future, what a tough cookie! Rule out Fairbanks operating from prison. Too unlikely and difficult from a security perspective. Osborne is 'H' and will be exposed soon. Don't know where the story will go after that. Taking in all your views will not spoil my viewing when it comes 'down under'. Be well....JM
Superb as always , question is will James Nesbitt be in series 7 ? if it was just a cameo they could of got Robert De Niro - Spanish police bent very poor quality video and no confirmation. Benja I still believe your H and you were rumoured to be running the ocg tech shop 🏬 really enjoy and thank you 🙏
Totally agree with you about the Kate car chase... a not credible reason for yet another action sequence. And shredding Osborne's photo was absurd. Let's see... does the photo exist elsewhere... like possibly on a cloud or elsewhere on the internet? If it was attempting to show how beholden Carmichael is to her boss, it was a clunky way of doing it.
A great video synopsis, thanks Benja! I agreed with everything you said, especially about Kate who i felt got sold down the river in this episode. Wtf was she doing?!
Also, Forgot to say Benja: I felt robbed of the opportunity to gloat about Ryan’s demise! I felt the audience was cheated of its vengeance for Ryan, come on, we wanted to witness a slow painful death!
It feels like we missed an episode in-between 5 and 6. Osborne is just a red herring in my opinion. Joe mentions that the OCG has broken up and are scrambling around, I think Osborne is trying to clean house in his own way but the reveal will be as good as the rest of the series endings.
I got a feeling Wise is involved, earlier this series Davidson said she had authority to keep the Lighthouse files and in the finale trailer the word definate was found on a letterhead saying Operation Lighthouse. This could be significant as Wise might be involved considering she is at the top of the hierarchy.
At the end of episode 5 when Kate goes to meet Jo at the lorry park Ryan gets out car...but if you look close so does someone else on the other side and you here 2 doors close on the car...someone else was there and that's why we did not see Ryan get shot....all will be revealed final episode. I honestly think Steve is H ... there is more to him not going for his medical and I think the Scouse girl is still some how involved.
I’m starting to doubt that ‘H’ is Osborne. At this point in the series, it feels like the logical conclusion but I’m no longer convinced. What if he is protecting someone and ‘H’ is somebody even above Osborne’s pay grade? Would that lead us to a Politician??
I agree thurwell is dead. He is for sure who Joe thought was her Dad. If you look at his police record, he trained in Melton police college which is located in Scotland
For sure, her reaction before she went back to no comment screamed she knew something. Also I don't think carmichael is bent however it did appear she tapped out "H" in morse code with her pen in the interview. Was almost plain as day.
@@selkieseal545 there's two separate times she taps, first one is 5 2nd on is 4. As you know we all like to let a theory run 🤣🤣 I hope it's not the case and she's just a horrific person
I really enjoyed this episode and was absolutely on edge for the whole time. I know that some parts are preposterous but it doesn't seem to matter. Kate driving dangerously to avoid being apprehended by the police and then almost refusing to drop her gun whilst surrounded by an arsenal of weaponry, was certainly crazy. For such behaviour she was made head of MIT. Hmm. No doubt it's all to do with the chain of command being compromised. I've found Jo to be a sympathetic character all the way through this series unlike say Roz Huntley who was steely hard with no apparent redeeming features. I'm sure Jo will be harmed or even even killed by these 'orrible women in prison. It's a mystery to me why they haven't been identified and brought to justice.
Carmichael is probably bent as well. Maybe related to the last “H”. Time will tell. Look how pilkington and joe eventually where related to someone in the ocg maybe thurwell is going to set up season 7 here’s hoping
Well, Nigel Morten, Mike Dryden, Ian Buckles, Mannet Bindra, Mark Moffatt, Kieran Bloom, Jane Cafferty, Jamie Desford, Tony Gates, Lindsay Denton, Jayne Akers, Hari Baines, Lambert, Martina Tranter, John Corbett, Lester Hargreaves, Gill Bigeloe, Manish Prasad, Jeremy Cole, Derek Hilton, Dot Cotton, Philip Osbourne, Patrick Fairbank, Marcus Thurwell and of course Ryan Pilkington and Joanne Davidson were all police officers. I don't think Kate trusts the police.
Kate's behavior is simply that she cares about Jo more than she wants to admit She's trying to protect her, and , whatever feelings she might have for Jo aside, she doesn't want her in the hands of the wrong people + yeah, she's trying to get a maximum of information for her own search of truth
It could be that Carmichael is scared if institutional corruption is discovered in the police then it would stop the AC merger and she’d lose her promotion. Hence why she shoots down the questions about the fourth man.
Are you aware of the BBC maestro leak which makes it clear that James Nesbitt is going to appear in the final episode (although I suppose it could be a flashback)?
My prediction for the finale is that we are going to find out who H is right at the end with the "definately" gaff being used to show it. I think it is going to end on a cliff-hanger like that but H wont be brought to justice. Ted is going to find out exactly who H is and is going to be powerless to do anything about it because of his forced retirement. This would leave the series at a point where it could be picked up for another season but also would be a good way to finish it.
What do you think about the 4 pen tapping (code for H) from Carmichael when Steve introduce Gail Vella's PC/laptop, then Jo quickly replied: No comment.
I think those are put in for fun but are not part of the plot, it’d be really corny if everyone started tapping out secret messages in Morse Code like a John Buchan novel of 100 years ago. Also, AC-12 is so switched on to the letter H, and is so anti Carmichael. It’s more likely she’d just give her a killer look.
And Hastings could be H because all police are imperfect and grey as Jed likes to write! And all the viewers watch for the adventure, character detail and Justice
Carmichael’s smile could cut to the bone
Great acting Anna
Obsessed with this whole series. Love them all, even the dead Ryan.
"Jesus, Mary, Joseph and the wee donkey" 😂😂. I hope they protect Jo from the OCG while she's in jail because she is the direct link to 'H'.
Jesus, Mary and Joseph and the wee donkey.
I had to rewind that bit to hear it again! Ha ha!
Such a great line for Hastings but you didn't finish... _"Jesus, Mary and Joseph and the wee donkey can we just move this thing along before it drives us all round the bloody bend?"_
@@ValdezJu Hastings always has great lines especially when he's frustrated. 😂
I had a good laugh at that one. And I’m also worried that Jo may not survive in jail.
Anyone else think the photo of Thurwell on holiday looks like Prince Andrew 😂😂
🤣🤣🤣
Poor Jimmy Nesbitt! 🤣
UGH!!! Lol.
Come for the video, stay for everybody's theories. Another well put together video Benja!
Glad you liked it, Adam.
@@BenjaTV Hey Benja - do you not believe the Spanish police captain is James Nesbitt in disguise...lol...look at those eyebrows!! We are never shown Thurwell's body very clearly and you certainly don't see the face - so how do they know it's him?? He could have faked his own death and still be running the OCG from Spain??!!
@@kulwantrandhawa3766 I thought that too.
@@kulwantrandhawa3766 the actor in the credits for the Spanish police wasn't James Nesbit though...may be to throw us off but who knows!
I am beginning to think the Carmichael and the Osbourne thing is too obvious but time will tell :-)
Yeah it really seems like they are trying to direct our attention towards Carmichael and Osbourne but I feel they are just bad cops not necessarily OCG cops.
As long as it's someone that makes sense, I'll accept H being anyone obvious. If it's Kate or Steve, I'd be inclined to call BS.
Kate only ran because the surveillance was pulled, she no longer had evidence that she shot Ryan in self-defence and knew that even if she did turn herself in she couldn't trust Ted or Patricia. Not sure why you constantly think Kate is being 'out of character,' it's been very apparent to me that she's finally opened up now she's off AC-12. She never wanted to go back so it's only natural for her to push away the instincts that working in anti-corruption gave her. She also wants to protect Jo because she's the first person in her life for a long time other than Steve to allow her to be comfortable. Every female she's had to be close to has been due to an undercover. Kate's best friend got killed, her marriage is over, it's no surprise she wants to protect the one new person in her life that gives her an ounce of love.
I really enjoyed this episode, it was nice to have a moment to breathe before the finale. It was nice to be able to connect the dots as it went along rather than pausing and going back. We all would have got burned out if the plot accelerated at a consistent rate as it has been for the last two episodes. And quite frankly the last two episodes haven't been that fast-paced outside of a few integral scenes (the ambush, the shooting).
Okay, so Joe is the only person who makes Kate feel comfortable and who has given her an ounce of love. On the other hand, she has just tried to have her murdered. I don’t know about you, but that would definitely make me reassess my relationship with somebody.
@@Tukulti-Ninurta Obviously Kate felt more sure of that before the shooting incident. However, Kate also understands that Jo didn't want to, Ryan openly told Kate that. Jo is desperate and would do anything to get away from the OCG, Kate possesses the empathy to know that. Kate will have reassessed her relationship with Jo. Kate also knows that Jo is taking the fall for her by putting the prints on her gun, that showed Kate that Jo does care for her - enough to go to prison and most likely be killed for her.
Also the fact that OCG members could be in the vicinity to finish the job on Kate and Jo?
Is anyone angry Ryan's death was off scene? I hope they do a flashback because there was definitely something strange about the whole thing
I think they kind of passed that off when they said Jo wasn't fire armed trained but Kate is. The way he was shot twice close together. I think a flashback would be good, he was a big character and needed a better ending.
My initial reaction was mother of god
I think a key part was the VO from Osborne as Davidson was being locked up:
"Those within will be punished"
Omg yes, I hope they don’t kill her character
@Party Vegetable No, those who have been caught and are on the inside (in prison) will be punished. Namely by those two female guards who keep popping up
Your analysis is the best online ❤️
Appreciate that, thanks!
Nice breakdown Benjamin
Anyone else look closely at the night vision raid? The captain of the Guarda Civil looks like James Nesbitt 🤔..... Or am I just being paranoid?!?!? 😳😳😳
It's not lol, how old is Thurwell not the front man for a AFO Group in Spain. Not counting nesbitts accent he cannot hide
I also just rewatched it is James
Yes
@@joshbarber1907 I thought EXACTLY the same while I was watching it.
No, the actor for that role is credited as he has a speaking role
Absolutely agree with your summary of Kate's character this season. She appears to have taken leave of her senses and the status quo isn't great for her. Absolutely love Ted Hastings. He's had his hands tied from day 1 and always in a fight. Not sure how much fight he will have left.
Jed always seems to change Kate's character, where in my opinion, she's head and shoulders above Steve.
I still think Kate is undercover.. there’s more to learn
i think kate might have feelings for jo meaning her views and judgements are biased and clouded; it's clear her loyalty now lies with jo, i mean why else would she go through all that trouble to drive away from police in that chase scene, other than to protect jo from her fate in prison? that's one of the only reasonable explanations i can think of to justify kate's actions this season.
Kate is brilliant
@@thedragonsunicorn - Well, Nigel Morten, Mike Dryden, Ian Buckles, Mannet Bindra, Mark Moffatt, Kieran Bloom, Jane Cafferty, Jamie Desford, Tony Gates, Lindsay Denton, Jayne Akers, Hari Baines, Lambert, Martina Tranter, John Corbett, Lester Hargreaves, Gill Bigeloe, Manish Prasad, Jeremy Cole, Derek Hilton, Dot Cotton, Philip Osbourne, Patrick Fairbank, Marcus Thurwell and of course Ryan Pilkington and Joanne Davidson were all police officers. And even Hastings was very questionable in her mind at this point after what Steve had told her. I don't think Kate trusts the police.
It seems that the OCG will come out relatively unscathed from this season. They just keep bumping off anyone who has served their purpose. I hope H is finally exposed but doubtless there are other bent coppers. It will be interesting to see where Ted and Steve end up after episode 7 because it looks like they are both finished. Agree the season has made a mess of Kate's character, hopefully that will be fixed in the next season.
is there still 'an' OCG? I thought the point was there was no longer one organisation but all the smaller ones were tied together by using the corrupt senior officers, so no more corrupt senior officers = no easy dealings for any OCGs, so they would die off in the future - probably off screen though
Will there be another season?
Technically, there are multiple OCGs, but whatever the makeup, they still have control over corrupt prison guards, inmates and probably other police officers.
I certainly hope there will be another season! 😃
There's no more seasons confirmed. There were only 3 seasons approved and this is the last
Love it. Thank god there’s someone who doesn’t think Carmichael is bent. She’ll side with AC12 in the end, I can feel it.
Defo not bent.
Yeah she’s proper nasty but she’s only doing it to further her career prospects. I thinks she’s too straight laced for the Ted,Steve & Kate mateyness and banter. That’s why she’s so cold towards Hastings - Nice red herring I reckon
Even though she tapped out H in morse code?
@@anterovipunen666 Please tell me this is sarcasm 😂
But she is so completely unlikeable though. In real life would ANYONE want to work with her?
@@anterovipunen666 did she.. when?
I think the way Kate acted was appropriate given what she had gone through. She thought she was being set up and didn’t know who to trust. I thought she was going to shoot herself for a minute as Steve had “betrayed” her
Yeah, people seem to forget Kate has never had a female friend really. Her best friend got killed in S2. Any female she's been close to since then has been an undercover. No wonder she wants to protect Jo, she's the first friend outside of Steve she's had in years.
thank god i wasn't the only one that thought she was gonna shoot herself. i got proper worried. 😂
@@alexandria6054 oh my god, you're so right! good shout, i hadn't thought of that before. 👍
@@thedragonsunicorn I was terrified, I love Kate, Ted, and Steve 😂😂😂
@@Sallyisfailingtofunctionx me too!! i'm probably just wishful thinking at this point, but oh how i hope the main three _and_ jo are all going to make it out of the finale alive.
I think Kate genuinely likes Jo. I think that's why she probably ran to safety to get Jo to talk.
I think Carmichael has been working Osborne from the inside, pretending to be a trusted lieutenant carrying out the hatchet job for him on AC-12. She’ll do show and tell next week on him. I think when she told Kate she was pragmatic it was important and a clear indicator that she does what’s best for her career. Nothing could be better than bringing down H and she knows she needs Kate on the team
Hi Benja! Awesome job as always, I was chomping at the bit for your review to come out :) I am so glad that I am not alone in feeling disappointed with this episode. Like you say, we didn't really get anything 'extra' from it. It was great but compared to the last two, it lacked something... still, I will be sad when it comes to a close. Looking forward to your video on Friday. Have a good week!
Hey, thanks!
I was truly disappointed with this episode. So underwhelming, and we got no new developments to further the story. They just dragged everything out for no reason. So sad, considering last few episodes have been great.
Would've prefered this season to be ultra explosive and the final season.
We got SO many developments are you crazy?!?! Plus two absolutely classic lines from Kate and Ted. The poor wee donkey....
Before I even watch this - I want to say that Kate didn't act at all like I think she should!
It was a bit peculiar, wasn't it! I am hoping that it is part of something that we have all missed so far...
Kate seemed like she was putting it on when she said Steve had set her up, i think she was faking, they are tight, they have a secret protocol if either of them needs to make a quick getaway. She knows she can trust Steve. Is she working undercover for another unit
Its Tommy Hunter in Spain. He never actually died, that whole thing was a work.
This is one of the best analysis I've heard. Thank You. It was a real anti climax to watch Ryan dead and Kate on the run for 20 minutes. To no end. What about the tracking devices on the Car? We saw Jo Davidson put one on Kate's car last series. Surely there is a link if all the cars have them then. It HAS to be Osborne
I think next week Jo will talk again once she finds out Thurwell is “dead”. Still don’t believe it myself as it wasn’t completely confirmed it was him we just saw a dead body, could be an OCG person that went to kill Thurwell
Or Thurwell himself could have faked it either to get people off his tail or because he knew the ocg wanted to dispose of him. Could he turn informant for witness protection!?
Surely Jo knows her life is in danger? These bent cops and guards are everywhere
@@mercwindow Thankfully she’s in protected custody so the only way the guards can get her is when she’s being transferred like Lakewell
Tilbs 11 ok I see 👌I find myself on her side and feel she is still important to the outcome. In each series there was a trapped cop who was still trying to do the right thing in the end. Even Dot Cotton the caddy sacrifices himself to save Kate then tried to spill the beans in the end. I think his H could be the start of some bodies Christian name or headquarters as he only got one letter out before he died.
@@tilbs1147 Unless those guarding her are conveniently changed to those who might do her harm, which I'm sure could be arranged considering the murder the same prison in a previous episode, and the corruption high up in the police.
One thing that I'm surprised you didn't mention was that although trackers being put on all ACG cars (although isn't Steve's car his own personal car so wouldn't it require a court order to put one on his car, and how would they even know where his car was) I'm still bemused at how the police knew exactly where to put the roadblock and how they'd know they'd even drive that way? Plus it would take time to arrange and coordinate multiple roadblocks and the number of armed police that would have been needed to cover off all possible routes. I just found this scene and the Spanish raid to be very odd and improbable scenarios that were just there to move the storyline along, as well as most of Kate's actions during this episode, and most of the entire season if I'm being honest.
Except the car chase didn’t even move the story along! The story would have moved along a lot more quickly and as effectively if Kate and Jo had driven straight to AC 12!
@@Tukulti-Ninurta I guess if I'm being kind to the writers it added a bit more action and tension with them trying to escape arrest, but I just don't think it was at all thought out. Surely Kate would have been suspended after doing this regardless of the circumstances of the shooting of Ryan pending investigations into it and not just questioned before heading up the investigation she was on. I'm also shocked that she didn't think that they're be watching Steve's car, regardless of the tracker, and still very shocked at how they knew exactly which road they'd be going down and have a road block set up almost before they'd even set off!!!
I think you're wrong about Thurwell. I don't think the body was his.
Kate feels badly written this season. The whole Jo-mance thing makes no sense because she’s literally never been bi before. And as you say the scene where she randomly flees the police seemed ridiculous.
Also reaching for her gun and refusing to give it over was both nonsensical and stupid. Easily could have got herself shot for no reason.
I think Kate is undercover
@@nicolai6161 I don't think so. If she was undercover why would she have been meeting covertly with Steve? If undercover she'd have contacts in the new team she was now working in. Also, if she's undercover, but the Chief Constable is merging all other Anti Corruption units together then who is she working for? And if she was moved from working for AC-12 because of suspicions over Ted being corrupt why wasn't he immediately suspended pending further enquiries, and why is he still being allowed to sit in on the interviews, being an active part of the questioning? I guess you could say that he'd will think it would make him think he wasn't under suspicion, but then why retire him at the end of the month if that was the case?
If she is working for Carmichael because of this, which can be the only other option, as they can hardly introduce new characters in the final episode of the season, why did she have that stand off with the police after the car chase, she'd know she wouldn't have been set up as she'd have been planted in the team and as it was Carmichael that was the one who set this all up.
Add to this she wouldn't have texted Steve about the meetup with Davidson, but would have contacted her other team. It makes no sense. If this is true, which it could be, it is another downhill slide moment of one of the best shows on television. I don't expect this to happen as nearly all of her actions and responses to other characters this season don't back this up.
Tbh I'm not against the jo-mance thing seeing as the sexuality of different characters adds nothing to the plot-line but does add slightly more depth to the character and hints at any possible arcs depending on who they're attracted to. The ambiguity around Kate's sexuality doesn't turn the whole plot on its head but it adds slightly more depth to her character and hints at a romantic arc between her and Jo. Besides, there were slight hints of Kate possibly being bisexual as in one of the scripts for series 2. There was a stage direction that mentioned how Kate and Lindsay interacted with eachother in a "sapphic" way. Sapphic is a term that derived from the Greek poet, Sappho, who lived on the island of Lesbos and expressed her attraction to women through poetry. The only thing I'm worried about is the concept of queer-baiting. Like many people, I want both Kate and Jo to have a happy ending, I'm not expecting them to kiss at the end but I want to see something that insinuates their relationship will actually go somewhere rather than have the BBC queer-bait the shit out of their audience who want something to ensue between these characters because of how great their dynamic is.
@Andy Mac If Kate is undercover as many suggest I don't see how she can be that concerned she's being framed. When watching three first time I had no doubt that Kate thought she was being framed, but she surely didn't think she was being framed by AC-12 and I don't see why she didn't just go straight to AC-12, that would have been the safest place. I am still confused as to how all the roadblocks were put up so quickly, that just wouldn't have been possible unless they're set them up hours before, and before Kate and Jo borrowed Steve's car so how did they know where they'd be heading?
@@katiesmith6944 couldn't have said it better myself. agree with all of this 100%
I've got two remarks:
1. At one point, Kate says (I can't remember who she was talking to at the time) that "Jo nearly said the name of her relative". Did she? I don't remember Jo doing that.
2. During Jo's interview, Ted says that. "The 'missing' Operation Lighthouse files that were found under the floor in your flat later appeared in the boot of Ian Buckles' service vehicle". How was that possible? Surely if they'd been found under the floor in Jo's flat, they'd have then been entered into evidence, so how did they then end up in Buckels' boot?
In the car Jo says "Even T...." (wasn't safe), and Kate says "you nearly said it, Tommy Hunter"
You have summed up my own thoughts at reactions to the episode precisely.
Haven’t watched yet but already know it’s gonna be a banger!👍
Edit: It was a banger well done Benja
Thank you, bud!
These Theories are always really good. I know before watching it I’ll enjoy it
Glad to hear that, Benedict!
Be interested to hear your take on what might happen at Steve's occupational health appointment.
Keep up the good work, really interesting content, as always.
Thanks for your review again Benja; can’t wait for the finale; it could go any direction at this point 😮😄
Great video, as per breaking down things that we don’t always see! Also making your viewers think. Keep up the good work!
I appreciate that!
I think this episode was the weakest so far, but it moved the story along well. And it has also set up the finale perfectly
I do entertain the possibility that Thurwell might be alive. But Line of Duty has used the flashback element in season 2, where we saw how DI Lindsey Denton became compromised. I think it’s possible that Thurwell could be used similarly in the finale, possibly to reveal the final H.
Whoever the final H is, I have to consider an officer who has a unique ability to both promote other corrupt officers, but also to recruit the officers to begin with. I also think with everyone pointing the finger at Osbourne, maybe the real H is steering AC-12 towards Osbourne, maybe incriminating him in Gail’s murder, only to have Osbourne’s replacement as Chief Constable to be the final H. Namely I think DCC Andrea Wise
Totally agree with this.
I disagree with your analysis of Kate's characterization: Kate's behaviors are different because her role is different on Davidson's team; Kate is not hunting down bad coppers. Kate has undergone a radical change as a result of Hastings disciplinary issues. Kate's character shows a more in-depth human side: more emotional, focus on relationships, and the issues her emotions conflict with being a DI. The show also emphasizes the human side of Steve with his drug problems and with women, and Hastings' distress with his impending retirement: he doesn't want to leave the job undone. All three major characters are different because the situation in season 6 is topsy-turvy. Watching the characters change, as in real -life, is difficult because the viewer wants them to remain the beloved characters of the earlier seasons. Having the characters remain the same would not be realistic. For some of these reasons, I think season 6 is another outstanding season that will have an explosive finale, including explosive emotions and police work.
Did anyone notice Carmichael morse coding with her pencil during the interview?
She tapped "H"
@@christymclaughlin618 lol really?
Glad someone else thinks this episode was terrible
Carmichael used Morse Code in the No Comment interview 3 times (2 when she was on screen. with 1 off screen) - Watch her with the Pen. What's your thoughts ?
Red herring I believe
A little Jed Easter egg
Definitely another Jed Herring.
She was asked about this and she said she just did it because she was bored. She could be lying don’t get me wrong but there has been a response.
Well, I wasn't so much disappointed by this episode, just left feeling a little puzzled. I will say to start off, I'm disappointed with how Ryan was killed off screen, given how good a character he has been, he deserved more and that's where I agree, sacrificing story for shock value is rarely a good move.
I think Kate's actions, while coming across as rash, fit what is going on in the story. As you say she couldn't be sure of who was going to turn up next so she had to get herself and Jo out of there and to a place of safety. I like that Steve and Kate have that contingency but they do need to work on what they do next once it's activated. But once they are cornered and Kate makes the remark that Steve is in on it, I think that exemplifies that she really doesn't know who to trust anymore after what Steve told her about Ted and Corbett. And I think it shows her inner conflict coming out in a way, she moved on from Anti-Corruption to try and move forward in her life and career and it has ended up following her anyway.
Regarding the interrogation, I think that was the part of this episode I found most puzzling, it left me with more questions than answers which I feel is the opposite of what they should be doing, especially at this point. Jo did seem genuinely shocked by the reveal of Tommy being her father but as you also pointed out, she clearly reacts to Thurlwell's picture so that must be who she presumed or was told was her father.
Also as an aside, coming out of the interview, I find myself questioning if I am right about Buckells just being a pawn, it still seems like that is all he is and given Jo was still receiving messages while Buckells has been in custody seems to rule him out of being corrupt.
Regarding Thurlwell, it is a well reasoned assertion you made regarding them having James Nesbitt in the role, if he had just been another random face - presumably like a production member or extra, we wouldn't care for the character so it is clever what they've done there.
Now onto the Osborne/Carmichael dilemma - I really do feel by this point it is too obvious to be Osborne, to borrow some of the logic you used about Carmichael, I wonder if Osborne has been fully aware of the corruption in the force and rather than challenge it, he has allowed it to run rampant and almost flourish in the force to allow him to rise to the top but now he is there, he needs to clear away all those that are left before they target him or try to bring him down so he may not have been directly involved but he certainly may have benefitted.
Regarding Carmichael, it is an interesting take on her motivations you have given here and it is fairly plausible but then again I feel if she was really doing her job properly, she would fully pursue the lines of enquiry that point to Osborne. I mean this would be an ample opportunity to bring him down and then DCC Wise would assume command of the force and that would leave the DCC post possibly open to Carmichael so her motivations seem shady, in my opinion.
To round off, I read somewhere that Chloe gave a nod to Carmichael after shredding the picture and people are trying to latch onto that as proof she is bent. I rewatched that scene and I wouldn't call it a nod and even if it was, I think it is just her telling Carmichael that she has done what was asked.
This has been one hell of a rollercoaster and I don't know where it's headed and I'm sure you'll probably have a review next week but I just wanted to say thanks to you for sharing these videos, opening up discussion and engaging people to share their theories, I have enjoyed it a lot each week and it's made me realise how much of a fan of this show I really am. Here's hoping we get all the answers and if not, then hopefully one last series instead.
I have been thinking all along that Kate's fierce loyalty to Jo went beyond the work place. Could her erratic and out of character behavior be that of someone in love? In the beginning of the season, something was stirring between the 2 of them and then appeared to be dropped. Or was it?
Wasn't dropped at all, in fact, last nights episode confirmed it. Jo said to Kate "I thought you were pretending" (to liking Jo). Jo then hints that she was asking in relation to her sexuality. Kate doesn't confirm it on her end, she shakes the question off, saying they need to get a move on. Jo asks again later in the car, Kate avoids the question again. So it's definitely been confirmed on Jo's side that she was interested in Kate (which we already knew from the arm touches, the sudden diary change after that hug). We just don't know if Kate ever reciprocated that yet.
@@alexandria6054 I guess that was too subtle for me. But, I see it now. Thank you.
@@alexandria6054 the 2nd time in the car when jo asked if kate was lying. kate replied "this is about you not me" and that line is driving me nuts. it's so ambiguous and vague.
@@thedragonsunicorn Yes! I think Kate hasn't really come to terms with everything. We've had many hints in the scripts and her lines that she may not be 100% straight. Jed literally wrote in 'sexual tension' to some of Kate and Lindsay's scenes in S2. If the entire way she's been acting around Jo has been completely fake I will be very surprised, they're definitely *very close* friends at least.
@@alexandria6054 yeah i saw that in the s2 stcripts. the term "sapphic undercuts" was used to describe a scene between lindsay and kate. if it was _that_ established for lindsay and kate, who aren't even on the same level of tension as kate and jo, then i wonder what the stage directions in the s6 script say. they must be very clear on the type of vibe going on between jo and kate. i refuse to believe that all of this going on between them is accidental, not when literally all the viewers have picked up on it!
People have been saying that one of the Spanish police is Marcus Thurwell and that the body in the ground was fake. Do you think this holds any merit or is he just dead.
Body might not have been Thurwell's, I'll give you that, but there's no way he's one of the Spanish police.
@@BenjaTV Why not Benja - think outside the box!! Anything is possible in LOD!!
I almost forgot! I wondered if the missing girl that Denton would make an appearance - the update that used to appear at the end of each series just stated that she was still missing and whereabouts unknown...
She could be under the floor, along with the rest of Corbett?
@@retsil99 She was still alive though
@@NanaGlover LOL...she'll come into season 7 to head the newly merged Anti- Corruption Unit while she works on her degree course in Criminal Psychology!! :-)
I think Carmichael being bent is another red herring. I do think she is desperate though. She feels acknowledged and respected by a much higher rank i.e. Chief Constable Osbourne and therefore feels she needs to defend his honour. Much to her dismay, she is merely a pawn.
I really don’t see how this will be wrapped up in 60minutes. Cans have been opened and there are worms everywhere
Kate is by far my favourite character and I don't think she's the ultimate bad guy. However, letting Jo put her finger prints on her gun, was kinda bent...
Yeah, but that allowed Jo to take the rap for the shooting. If she hasn't done that then Kate would be in trouble. I didn't really understand why Kate would do it though as she didn't know this was the notice for Jo doing this and Kate knows that Jo is bent, even if she's been conditioned all her life to be this way, even before she was a police officer, and Jo could have just shot her, she knows when caught she's in prison for the rest of her life. It was difficult to understand at the time but played out in the episode and was necessary, even if a little convoluted and not very believable.
i think that scene was written in there, more, to serve the purposes of progressing jo and kate's relationship arc, rather than to be seen as a moral judgement on kate. i don't think jed wrote it to make kate look bad, but rather to make _jo_ look good. but fair enough.
@@thedragonsunicorn I agree that it progressed the relationship between Jo and Kate, but I think Jo knew exactly what she was doing and if did give Kate an alibi for the shooting. I'm still not quite sure why Jo continued to take the rap for the shooting in a very convoluted story during her interview with AC-12. If she hasn't handled Kate's gun then maybe she felt Kate would have been held on remand in prison and in danger of being killed, as the OCG might have thought that she had told everything to Kate. I'm not sure why she thought that Kate being lured by Ryan Pilkington to a meet that Jo could have confirmed was intended to kill her and that her actions in shooting him was self defence, and so Kate would have not been faced any charges.
@@mattpotter8725 that's really interesting. all very valid points. also you brought up a good point about jo fearing that if kate went to prison she'd be killed by the ocg. i hadn't thought of that as a reason for jo's action before. good call.
@@thedragonsunicorn I think even though Jo is obviously bent (no pun intended) she isn't doing it willingly, or at least feels as though she has no choice, I think she could have done something earlier in her career and even now, but that's another story. I think she has a rapport with Kate and does see her as someone honest who might be able to help her down the road and that's why definitely out and still on the case might help her safety in the long term, even though I think she's a gonner in the near future.
I think H has been hiding in clear sight. The shock will be that it is H from steps.
That would be a tragedy lol 🤣
@@zztop6460 It would. I think the final episode will be a musical
I think that theory is better best forgotten.
What did Lakewell unofficially say to Steve in the van though? When will that information come out?
It was pointed out on This Morning, but what is your opinion on the four pen taps by Carmichael?
I think there was a fifth, softer tap off-camera following the fourth tap.
I heard I fifth light tap as well, listen to it a few times. As much I would like it to be her though, she makes me want to kick the telly in. She’s like a slug. Wonderful acting from Anna Maxwell Martin.
I think we got some bent AFO’s as on the trailer for the finale shows the decommissioned MP5 (firearm) on the hands of an Armed officer. Most likely within AC-12 or escorting the Jo. Either it’s gonna be tense
Great points as always
I am glad you mentioned Kate acting out of character and the strange opening sequence, some parts made complete sense and others not at all and were very confusing
I wonder if there's another group under cover maybe keeping an eye on AC-12. I only say this because I find Carmichael, Chris Lomax and Chloe a little off/suspicious but not necessarily malicious...
Speaking of Chris Lomax, can't get over how much he is like Dot. The scene at the end when he's talking and we see him from behind he is identical. Weird coincidence that Dot was transferred from the Hill back in series 1
You cleared up a few things for me. Thanks
Great review! I still think the final 'H' is WISE.
Carmichael is doing what she has to do for herself / her career / Osborne
Odd that, when Fairbanks was to be interviewed by Vella, that didn't happen as she was murdered the evening before.
Thurwell has been long retired / 'off radar' / perhaps in Spain. Fairbanks is then questioned about Thurwell and then, not only do Civil Guard have an address for Thurwell, decomposing bodies are found.
Thurwell probably in Spain, the 'Unknown' having a Spanish IP address, Thurwell then APPARENTLY being found dead; Convenient???
And, meanwhile, the DCC's Office has been controlling / monitoring all of this AC12 investigation.
A clever 'H' (Wise) might knowingly use a Spanish VPN, thus implicating Thurwell, who is seemingly dead, thus no further Line Of Inquiry.
Oh, and wait for Fairbanks to be released on licence....and abscond abroad...and his health then to recover.
Two of the most AT RISK categories in prison are corrupt Police and sex offenders. Despite this, Fairbanks has remained unscathed and transferred to an Open Prison due to 'ill health'...
So much of this centres around OCG (Hunter), CSE (Sands View) and VICE Squad Officers (Fairbanks) that has then spread / developed
Great breakdown. I agree with everything you said. The car chase - why? Kate looking like she's going to go for her gun! You can trace the slide in quality/credibility of LoD from the increase in popularity/media focus on 'who is 'H'?' Basically the 'Dot signing Morse code when he was dying' scene: 'Dot, dot, dot, dot. Four dots is Morse code for 'H'. There's four aitches'. WHAT!? A) It was a still image. B) If four dots is 'H', then him signing four dots = one 'H'. Unless he did sixteen dots. C) His name is 'Dot'. He might just have been sitting saying his name. D) To use that as the basis for an ongoing investigation shows that AC-12 probably do need disbanding.
Assuming it was Thurwell messaging Jo, don't you think the body in the Spanish villa was too decomposed for it to be Thurwell? It was at most a couple of days since the message was sent and the police raid on the house. Spain is quite hot so the body would decompose faster, but considering it was in-doors it still seemed too fast. I don't believe the theory that the Spanish captain was actually Thurwell, but the timeline doesn't match up. It could just be an oversight by the writers, but still something worth considering.
I speculated in the video that someone posing as Thurwell used a Spanish VPN and manipulated Jo. And I think that person was Osborne aka the Fourth Man.
Great stuff as usual Benja. Thank you.
Glad you enjoyed it, John!
Excellent , can you discuss how with osbourne now prime suspect for being H, how the very first scene and situation involving Steve arnott might be linked or related to what is happening now, and whether or not osborne had anything strategically linked to Arnott going into AC12
Great work Benja. We know how Jed likes to drop clues in certain. The blatant imagery of S1 on the pillars of the car park where Kate meets Steve towards the end strikes me as a clue. To what though, series 1?
I think this season was written so it can work whether or not they get another. It'll wrap up what we know about "the other man" and, if this is the end, it's the end. If they get another season, Thurwell will be shown to have faked his death and he'll come back to the UK.
Nah. Kate’s actions made perfect sense if she doesn’t trust anyone at that moment. State of mind.
Interesting that in S5E1 Ted says "We've got H, I'll put a few quid behind the bar in the Red Lion for you." The same pub where the OCG is meant to fraternitise. This must be the final place where H is revealed.
Everyone has forgotten about Darren Hunter. Surely he has to come into view at some point?!?! Xx
He is 1 of the balaclava men
I love your reviews! Keep it up!
who is DCI Billy McTulloch? Named on the article at the start of Episode 6
I dont know what it is, but for some reason i have a slight suspicion the Kate is the 4th man. But i manly think its Osborne
CARMICHAEL IS H BECAUSE LAVERTY TOLD STEVE IN THE VAN WHEN IT GOT AMBUSHED TO LOOK BEYOND THE RACE CLAIM AND ITS AN ANOGRAMM FOR CARMICHAEL AND THE MISSING LETTER IS H
Noone else think that Osbourne (chief con) bears a striking resemblance to Tommy Hunter?? Related???
Osbourne could be H. As the series would come full circle. In season 1, Osbourne openly ordered a whole team to cover up a shooting of an innocent man. Everyone did except Steve.
Part of me wants it to be a main character but I agree Osborne would bring the series full circle
Agreed regarding Kate. Why try drive away from the police to make yourself look guilty? And also why run off with Joe who’s just set you up to be killed! Few times this series there’s been some un-realistic scenes but still been a great gripping series!
I’m just going to say: remember Andrea Wise. She’s the DCC. She’s suspiciously low profile in the plot at the moment.
Another great breakdown, Benja. One thing I didn't get was Carmichael said all AC12 vehicles were being tracked, not necessarily personal vehicles owned by AC12 officers (Steve has another service vehicle which he was standing next to in the car park near the end and I'm pretty sure 'AC12 vehicles' was the phrase Carmichael used).
You're right about the car chase but if they hadn't done that, it would haven't just been the 40 minute interview which wouldn't have worked. But they may as well have just done the standard 90 minutes, like you said.
In next week's trailer, it shows some evidence from Operation Lighthouse with the wrongly spelled definately in it. As it's from Operation Lighthouse, that seems to suggest it's not Osbourne as he wouldn't have gone anywhere near it. The evidence image is obscured so it might be a red herring but it seems to fit Buckells better, doesn't it. And they've been throwing the frame on and off him all series. It seems like a Buckells thing to do as well with the misspelling. I mean we have spell checkers everywhere, how they keep misspelling that it a little hard to believe. Seems an even bigger stretch to say Osbourne was doing that.
Again, Owen Teale's a big actor and he hasn't played a big part in it. Same with Andi Osho (Gail Vella). I think we'd have seen a little more of him if he were bent. Jed always chucks clues in with the people themselves giving you the clues. He doesn't hide people until the end. Looks like he's out for himself only and not the OCG.
I like what you say about Thurwell being a red herring. Two very expensive photos for the production team but very clever if he's not going to play a part.
Looking forward to seeing what comes up. And I really hope Kate smartens up in the next episode, she's meant to be the smart one after all. Notice they didn't have a scene with her husband and child in this one, especially after she'd been banged up for a night and a day, then gets straight on to it without rest. I wonder if that will play a part. And also, Steve's got five days left to visit Occ Health. Will he have enough time? And what about all that stuff with Steph. That seems to have been conveniently forgotten. Can't expect for the stuff about Ted not to come out. Carmichael can smell blood here. It's as if they know it's all over, Ted's got to go, whatever happens, Steve is done for and Kate has to think about her family. Maybe Carmichael's the new Ted, Chloe will be promoted to DS and Lomax up to DI. Away we go for series 7.
I caught that, too! Carmichael definitely said AC12 vehicles had trackers on them... bit of a head scratcher, that.
There's been some chat that Lomax might have been part of the gang who killed Lawrence too.
@@retsil99 are that would have been a good spot as the photos were shown of the attackers. Can't remember if Kate's seen who the attackers are but you'd have thought Steve would have recognised Lomax but then again Kate didn't recognise Pilkington at first and Lomax would have had his head shaved in the suspect photos. Would be good he's bent and his role gets reprised in the next series.
I’m sure there was a look from Steve when him, Kate and Lomax were stood outside the industrial unit, almost like a double take from Steve at Lomax?!?! 🤔🤔
@@RATTLER238 Yes, i thought so too!
Hadn't been watching the series only on gogglebox, it look good on there, but I thought I would give it a go. It might make some sense , I think Kate did it!!
Benja, John here in Australia. Excellent reviews, thank you. I must wait for Netflix to get season 6.
Carmicheal will sort matters out, as you suggest, regarding her future, what a tough cookie!
Rule out Fairbanks operating from prison. Too unlikely and difficult from a security perspective.
Osborne is 'H' and will be exposed soon. Don't know where the story will go after that.
Taking in all your views will not spoil my viewing when it comes 'down under'. Be well....JM
Superb as always , question is will James Nesbitt be in series 7 ? if it was just a cameo they could of got Robert De Niro - Spanish police bent very poor quality video and no confirmation. Benja I still believe your H and you were rumoured to be running the ocg tech shop 🏬 really enjoy and thank you 🙏
No comment.
Totally agree with you about the Kate car chase... a not credible reason for yet another action sequence. And shredding Osborne's photo was absurd. Let's see... does the photo exist elsewhere... like possibly on a cloud or elsewhere on the internet? If it was attempting to show how beholden Carmichael is to her boss, it was a clunky way of doing it.
Do you think the Spanish armed police officer looks a little like James Nesbitt?
My thoughts are H stands for Head Quarters
A great video synopsis, thanks Benja! I agreed with everything you said, especially about Kate who i felt got sold down the river in this episode. Wtf was she doing?!
Also,
Forgot to say Benja: I felt robbed of the opportunity to gloat about Ryan’s demise! I felt the audience was cheated of its vengeance for Ryan, come on, we wanted to witness a slow painful death!
It feels like we missed an episode in-between 5 and 6. Osborne is just a red herring in my opinion. Joe mentions that the OCG has broken up and are scrambling around, I think Osborne is trying to clean house in his own way but the reveal will be as good as the rest of the series endings.
I got a feeling Wise is involved, earlier this series Davidson said she had authority to keep the Lighthouse files and in the finale trailer the word definate was found on a letterhead saying Operation Lighthouse. This could be significant as Wise might be involved considering she is at the top of the hierarchy.
I’ve considered that and it’s definitely possible, but I’d be disappointed if that was the outcome as she’s a bit of a nothing character,
At the end of episode 5 when Kate goes to meet Jo at the lorry park Ryan gets out car...but if you look close so does someone else on the other side and you here 2 doors close on the car...someone else was there and that's why we did not see Ryan get shot....all will be revealed final episode. I honestly think Steve is H ... there is more to him not going for his medical and I think the Scouse girl is still some how involved.
That was Kate’s feet under the car. Ryan got out the passenger non-driver side
I’m starting to doubt that ‘H’ is Osborne. At this point in the series, it feels like the logical conclusion but I’m no longer convinced. What if he is protecting someone and ‘H’ is somebody even above Osborne’s pay grade? Would that lead us to a Politician??
I agree thurwell is dead. He is for sure who Joe thought was her Dad. If you look at his police record, he trained in Melton police college which is located in Scotland
For sure, her reaction before she went back to no comment screamed she knew something. Also I don't think carmichael is bent however it did appear she tapped out "H" in morse code with her pen in the interview. Was almost plain as day.
@@lukerenforth4689 Nope, she tapped 5 times...not 4.
@@selkieseal545 there's two separate times she taps, first one is 5 2nd on is 4. As you know we all like to let a theory run 🤣🤣 I hope it's not the case and she's just a horrific person
I really enjoyed this episode and was absolutely on edge for the whole time. I know that some parts are preposterous but it doesn't seem to matter. Kate driving dangerously to avoid being apprehended by the police and then almost refusing to drop her gun whilst surrounded by an arsenal of weaponry, was certainly crazy. For such behaviour she was made head of MIT. Hmm. No doubt it's all to do with the chain of command being compromised.
I've found Jo to be a sympathetic character all the way through this series unlike say Roz Huntley who was steely hard with no apparent redeeming features. I'm sure Jo will be harmed or even even killed by these 'orrible women in prison. It's a mystery to me why they haven't been identified and brought to justice.
Yey. Been waiting since Sunday to watch your vid
Hope you enjoy it!
@@BenjaTV I really did.
Carmichael is probably bent as well. Maybe related to the last “H”. Time will tell. Look how pilkington and joe eventually where related to someone in the ocg maybe thurwell is going to set up season 7 here’s hoping
Ridiculous plot twist. Why would Kate run from police with Jo. She would have handcuffed Jo and waited for police to arrive.
Well, Nigel Morten, Mike Dryden, Ian Buckles, Mannet Bindra, Mark Moffatt, Kieran Bloom, Jane Cafferty, Jamie Desford, Tony Gates, Lindsay Denton, Jayne Akers, Hari Baines, Lambert, Martina Tranter, John Corbett, Lester Hargreaves, Gill Bigeloe, Manish Prasad, Jeremy Cole, Derek Hilton, Dot Cotton, Philip Osbourne, Patrick Fairbank, Marcus Thurwell and of course Ryan Pilkington and Joanne Davidson were all police officers. I don't think Kate trusts the police.
Owen Teale’s character is guilty look at his previous he killed Jon Snow
Brilliant video as usual
Thanks, Ben!
I think Carmichael and Thurwell are Osborne "caddies" and he's the last known H
Kate's behavior is simply that she cares about Jo more than she wants to admit
She's trying to protect her, and , whatever feelings she might have for Jo aside, she doesn't want her in the hands of the wrong people
+ yeah, she's trying to get a maximum of information for her own search of truth
I thought Kate was grabbing her weapon to take Jo hostage to get away not to take on heavily armed police, think you overlooked that buddy.
I thought that too
i thought she was going to shoot herself. i was very wrong 😂
It could be that Carmichael is scared if institutional corruption is discovered in the police then it would stop the AC merger and she’d lose her promotion. Hence why she shoots down the questions about the fourth man.
Agreed, that's my current thinking.
Are you aware of the BBC maestro leak which makes it clear that James Nesbitt is going to appear in the final episode (although I suppose it could be a flashback)?
So good 👍
Okay I found some I'm the scenes footage of the last one and it shows armed police getting out from a van to ambush an Ocg ambush
Could this be Ocg trying to ambush Jo who then switchs with another van
My prediction for the finale is that we are going to find out who H is right at the end with the "definately" gaff being used to show it. I think it is going to end on a cliff-hanger like that but H wont be brought to justice. Ted is going to find out exactly who H is and is going to be powerless to do anything about it because of his forced retirement. This would leave the series at a point where it could be picked up for another season but also would be a good way to finish it.
Muy buena serie
What do you think about the 4 pen tapping (code for H) from Carmichael when Steve introduce Gail Vella's PC/laptop, then Jo quickly replied: No comment.
I think those are put in for fun but are not part of the plot, it’d be really corny if everyone started tapping out secret messages in Morse Code like a John Buchan novel of 100 years ago. Also, AC-12 is so switched on to the letter H, and is so anti Carmichael. It’s more likely she’d just give her a killer look.
It's not Osbourne. Far too obvious.
And Hastings could be H because all police are imperfect and grey as Jed likes to write!
And all the viewers watch for the adventure, character detail and Justice