The Vice

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.

this is a 30 minute show stretched to 60 using bad editing and holding shots of people thinking for ages....the same problem with 24, i.e. lots of shots of Sutherland walking IN CAR PARKS, going upstairs etc....

lots of tits and ass though as the subject matter is indeed vice in all its manifestations....acting is okay. Writing is okay, but the soundtrack is too schmaltzy for the show... strings and slow piano notes held for a longtime

overall they stretched the budget with tricks that in the end don't work....

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.

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.