The Vice

This was a fantastic series which is sorely missed, I suspect, not just by me, but by millions. Pat Chappell is an unlikely hero, unlovely, crumpled and middle-aged, but with such intensity and charisma that he oozes attractiveness. Ken Stott brought such ferocity to the role and showed himself for the unbelievably superb actor he is. He has a heart as big as a mountain. He cares, he loves the victims of the sordid crimes he has to deal with. If he has a fault, it's that he cares too much. This proves his undoing in the end. He has the habit of becoming personally involved. He is unable to keep his personal and professional life separate.

Aside from Stott, Marc Warren is worthy of attention. He plays Dougie, Chappell's flawed sidekick. Warren shows the vulnerability and pain of his character magnificently.

I usually dislike crime procedural dramas, but "The Vice" stands out with its supreme actors and heartbreaking stories. It depicts a bleak modern world of anonymity and evil; the evil of sexual crime. But it's saved by the dedication and compassion of the officers who try to combat it.

I always think the mark of brilliant fiction is if you can remember it years later. One episode in particular got under my skin - "Sons - Part 2" (S1E4). The ending.is the most heart-rending and desolate piece of TV I have ever seen and stays with me now, nearly 30 years later.

This is one of the cringiest series I've ever watched. I don't know if it was just the years it was made in or the subject matter but it's really hard to watch. I've never been a fan of old men attempting to seduce MUCH MUCH younger women maybe that's exactly how prostitution game works but even the "good" guys give me a major ick. Maybe it's just me being naive but these police officers in The Vice shouldn't be working in Vice. I would think they'd be transferred to another unit. Chief Inspector Frank Vickers is by far the scummiest excuse for a human being and how the hell is he still in charge of anything by season 5. The trope of making ALL the female characters all stupid and needing rescuing is a trope that needs to die. Only watch this series if you have a strong stomach.

I have only watched series 2. The plots are interesting enough - but really, they are almost beside the point. Yes, there are social issues, there are personal issues, there is some suspense, some romance and not hard to figure out plot twists. Also there is this big question. What always baffles non-British is why do British police (in TV series) so often go into knowingly risky, if not potentially fatal situations, unarmed and not backed up. It happens time and time again. It happens here. It happens in other British police, crime, legal series.

So, what is it that makes The Vice - so good? What impressed me was the very high quality of the actors. Their ongoing performances are stellar. There is a constant upward moving arc in character development, in their subtleties, and in the connections they make with their audience. Its ensemble casting at its best. Ken Stott is a master in every way. David Harewood and Caroline Catz are equally intriguing in their roles. The secondary characters are invariably terrific. Highly recommended.

The subject is vice, of course, and this show never misses an opportunity to sin away with gusto. I feel for the actors who have to artificially hump away, leering and licking in close up, but Ken Scott's scenery-chewing is worse than Al Pacino in "Scent of a Woman", and I didn't think it was possible to top that.

UK cop shows are exemplary at portraying the reality of police work and especially at uncovering the ineptitude and corruption of police officers and detectives. However, this series goes over the top. It's as vile in many episodes as the criminals it contains. Stott, known for his explosive, temperamental acting style, goes WAY over the top here. He screams, yells and berates when he's in a good mood. When he's not, it's almost comical the way he explodes in anger.

This is especially sad considering the plots, direction and writing are all quite fine otherwise. Too bad there aren't more moments of levity or real compassion to overwhelm the tantrums galore.