Line of Duty (TV Series) In the Shadow of the Truth (2017) User Reviews

Ignore the other reviews, this was an explosive opening.

[Sleepin_Dragon · 9/10 · 19 November 2020]

Another series, another dodgy Detective, and another new hairstyle for Kate.

The first thing you'll notice is the list of names in the opening credits, by now, this show is big business, and rightly so, name after name, very notable for featuring Thandie Newton.

This first episode is a thrill ride, we're used to having explosive finales, here we have an explosive opener. Has Roz Huntley charges the right man, or is she covering something up?

It's going to be a dramatic series. This was an excellent start. 9/10.

Series 4 brings another female protagonist and blows you out of the water

[archaeoelle · 9/10 · 27 April 2021]

I'm not sure why people disliked Thandiwe Newton in this. Maybe it's because she's a woman in a high power job but with references to time off as a full time mum as part of how her superiors pressure her. It's a complex role and she is subtle about how she cracks over time. This show is just getting better and better.

A balaclava in Belfast.

[xmasdaybaby1966 · 8/10 · 19 April 2021]

Despite moving from BBC 2 to BBC 1, there does seem to be something a bit missing from this story compared to the past.

Kate has spruced herself up after her promotion and Steve is irked that her thinks he should have gone up the ranks by now.

Jason Watkins plays the plodding copper we have come to know and love in McDonald And Dodds.

An intriguing end. Hope the quality can be retained but it is a bit off-putting seeing Belfast landmarks in a series set in the Midlands.

Solid start to series 4

[snoozejonc · 8/10 · 26 March 2023]

AC12 investigate detectives involved in an arrest of a suspected serial killer.

This is a proficient opening episode that has some creepy and mysterious moments.

The plot spends the time setting the scene, as there are new characters to introduce and established ones catch up with. The exposition is not too heavy handed and the plot flows quite well.

There are some interesting new characters, one of whom is quite creepy. Lots of uncomfortable scenes build to a horror moment that makes you want to find out what happens next.

Thandiwe Newton leads the cast well and Jason Watkins is also very good.

For me it's a 7.5/10, but I round upwards.

Still a great series

[Multifocus · 8/10 · 3 November 2022]

Season 4 is still as great to watch as the first 3 seasons. But, in my opinion, it does not stand up to the brilliant writing of the first 3 seasons. Right from episode 1, the plot begins to be shaky. For instance, I am not sure why Tim assumes that Roz is dead in episode 1. He is supposed to be a forensic specialist -- yet he does not take the time to check Roz' pulse. He simply assumes she is dead, and tries to 'hide' the body. Over the next episodes Roz's attempts to mis-direct the investigation seem feeble compared to say, Season 3, where Dentons character is brilliantly written, making for a more believable, compelling and ultimately tragic character study.

The Plot Twist is a Spinner

[Warin_West-El · 7/10 · 20 May 2023]

Last season was compelling until the final 15 minutes. It seems Jed Mercurio is intent on continuing the downward trajectory this season. Thandiwe Newton is practically sleep-walking through her part. And as others have observed the only character on beam seems to be Kate.

The filmmakers had hoped to pull off a major plot twist in the latter quarter of this episode. They stole a page right out of Hitchcock's "Psycho" and killed off a star that everyone in the audience expected would be a major player in the story.

But HOW they tried to execute that plot twist was tragically unbelievable. Roz dies as a consequence of being pushed by Tim the forensic analyst in the kitchen. She wasn't even stabbed by a kitchen knife. If you even remotely believe that scene was plausible, you may never want to cook again.

UPDATE: If you've seen episode two then you know I was totally WRONG. The filmmakers pulled off an excellent twist that I hadn't seen coming. FOOLED ME COMPLETELY! Just know the plot twist starts at the end of episode one and completes in the first part of episode two. Bravo!

The first major let down in an incredible franchise

[chris-1675 · 5/10 · 11 April 2021]

Line of Duty got progressively better through seasons 1-3.

But something is very different, and very wrong with season 4.

If I had to choose the worst aspect of the series, I think it's that Thandiwe Newton isn't believable. Her acting is below par. Even bit-part actors do a better job. Massive disappointment.

8.7? You're all kidding me.

[bhaktvatsalbrahmbhatt · 1/10 · 25 March 2020]

I've watched the previous 3 seasons over a span of 6 months, on and off and never have I felt this show miss a beat, until today. I'm yet to watch the next episodes but this one has to be the worst of the lot so far. Nothing compelling, the plot seems thin, the writing inconsistent but most of all, the strongest point of this show, the acting. Every new face has been a let down and yes, I mean even the high profile new faces.

From the small screen time police staff to the MIGHTY SIO, they've all acted awfully. What seemed like a good plot point in the Forensics Expert revealing much important evidence was also acted amateurishly. Besides, DS Arnott and Superintendent Hastings are well shelled out characters that haven't pulled the weight this time. They looked uninterested. Only Kate Fleming seems to be taking this show seriously.

The whole plot point of Fleming's promotion and Arnott's jealousy seems forced and idiotic. The final nail in the coffin was the awkward push that led to the SIO ending up on the floor. Oh my, it was just as awful as Kevin Spacey's push through the stairs on House of Cards. I won't forgive the creators if this is the beginning of the end and this beloved show goes to trash too.

WHAT HAPPENED TO THE ORIGINAL SERIES! This is a bore!

[franchlife · 5/10 · 29 April 2020]

We were enthralled with the first two series. This series is monotonous, tired, lacks originality, YAWN.... same old themes and characterizations found for last two decades of Brit cop shows. Male/female competition and conflicts, anger, anger, angry cops. Competition and social backbiting. I do not care what happens to any of the characters or the show! Get back the team of writers who made this show worth watching.