18 July '12

“The plot is becoming increasingly far-fetched – there’s barely a cast member who isn’t either bent or compromised – but it’s still by far the best drama series I’ve watched all year.”
John Crace, The Guardian

“Having given up wishing Line of Duty to be the programme I wanted it to be — an acerbic drama about policing as it really is — I have settled back, or, rather buttocked myself on the edge of the sofa, to enjoy the thriller it has become.”
Andrew Billen, The Times

“The drama wobbles unsteadily in ways that are entirely to the good.”
Tom Sutcliffe, The Independent

“The trouble with this kind of programme is that it never settles for long enough on any serious idea to give the viewer a chance of balancing the credible against the incredible, and I frequently found myself thinking about the implications of one approach long after [presenter] Johnny Ball had introduced the next one.”
John Crace, The Guardian

“A clip show, an assembly of ageing-related output from the BBC with a bit of new voiceover from TV presenter Johnny Ball.”
Matt Baylis, Daily Express

“The return of Sally…was wonderfully touching. This was partly down to Olivia Colman…But it was also to the credit of John Morton’s script, which sits very sharp satire on a foundation of beautifully understated character studies. Without the latter the former might get a bit thin. But with them it is irresistible. He can write a punchline too.”
Tom Sutcliffe, The Independent

“The quick-fire dialogue sometimes betrays fatigue. But the real difficulties lie with the uncharismatic cast. “
Andrew Billen, The Times