Blue Lights

Much of the first episode had me shaking my head at the seemingly over-the-top stupidity and incompetence of the show's newbie cops. Just another show with tons of frustrating idiot-factor lathered on, I figured.

But then a nice thing happened. The plot lines thickened. The characters assumed nuance and complexity. Every actor came through in spades. And each episode from then on just got better. Until, at the end, I was rooting for every single player on the show. That can only happen when there's outstanding character development; so thank you, writers, actors, directors, for providing me with several hours of very high quality entertainment. Bravo.

Having stinted in NI 1973-1981 this thought provoking drama brough back some happy, and a lot more unhappy memories of NI (during 'the troubles').

Realistic, excellent action and tension, my only very minor point of technical correctness would be that when 'out on a shout' you always parked up with your vehicle 'pointing' outward to enable a speedy 'escape' should matters turn nasty (as they often did).

The early scenes in the Creggan like area were so very typical of what was happening in those days, and I guess from recent news coverage what is still happening right now.

Every police character had been well thought out, so believable, and inner tensions were excellently captured.

Like other reviewers I sincerely hope there will be more series to follow. Once again, well done to the BBC drama dept, sometimes you just 'hit the nail on the head' e.g. Line of Duty, Happy Valley, Last Tango in Halifax etc.

A team of rookie Officers join The Belfast Police, after their initial training is completed, they're thrown straight into the thick of things. The Streets are mean, the threat, very real.

It wasn't long before a second series was announced, and if you watch even a single episode, you will understand why, you don't get many like this.

There is a harsh realism about this show, yes it's a cop show, but somehow it feels very different to what is usually presented, they show the job of The Police as being far from glamorous, it's shown as being intensely pressured and virtually impossible.

Episodes one, two and three were very good, episode four blew my mind, after that it became the drama highlight of the year.

Don't expect any half baked romance stories, that's not what this show is about.

It initially focuses on the trio of rookies, and every single one of them plays a key role, but the mix of regulars are all terrifiic. Gerry is perhaps my favourite of them, a no nonsense, Maverick, brave and supportive as they come, Jen undergoes the biggest transformation, from lazy good for nothing, to hero, she's impressive.

9/10.

Series 1 : I'll start with a caveat. It's a drama not a documentary. If you made a police drama that reflected the real pace of things you'd soon get bored watching 90% same old mundane or hurry up and wait. Therefore some poetic licence and speeding up is required and the trick , that this series manages magnificently , is not to let that detract too much from the attempts at realism. Keeping that in mind this has the lot. Not all cops are heroes (though many are very much so ) , not all baddies are as they seem, some in authority or in responsible roles are far too far up their own whatever and some are simply stupid. There's fair amoint of of politics but balanced by lots of willingness backed up by humour be it dark or comic. It's a gritty drama well written directrd and acted that ranges from making you laugh through to holding back the tears. Most of the characters or type of characters are identifiable and are out there, maybe not all together at the same time but they're there.

Surely that's what it's all about and something many armchair critics who learn about police work from shall we say , less competent police dramas , miss entirely.

Series 2: All the above still applies . Its as easy as that . The original cast plus some great additions carry along the slightly different approach. That slightly different style is the excellent way they've slipped in a few more looks at the local residents behaviour (no spoilers), interactions with the "peelers" and the consequences. The behaviour , comments and attitude of the cops remain well researched , advised and well played, still subject to a bit of artistic licence but that keeps it going . All the unpredictable plots and sub plots keep you wondering whats going to happen next and are you watching a baddy , a hero or an anti hero . Thats what its all about and as a result it remains a fantastic series and I wish I could give it more than 10.

With the seemingly endless choice of things to watch it's seems to have become the norm to have a list of unfinished series. This won't be one of them. Excellently written drama and very well acted. The story threads, characters and their relationships will soon have you on invested in this series.

I can't say that i was familiar will most of the actors in this series. But for me this only helped to make it seem fresh. It deals with gritty and unpleasant subject matters. But the acting and chemistry between the cast draws you in. There are of course lighter moments to keep the series moving along nicely. I would highly recommend watching.