Fans took to Twitter last night to gush over the opening episode of Jed Mercurio’s cop drama Line Of Duty, with one calling it “absolutely cracking”.
“Best opening episode of a #LineOfDuty series yet [heart eye emoji],” said one fan.
As AC-12 returned to our screens to investigate the Balaclava Men, led by undercover cop seemingly gone rogue John Corbett (actor Stephen Graham), viewers couldn’t help but share their pleasure at the show’s triumphant return to BBC One.
“Can’t remember the last time a first episode of a new season had me that shocked,” said one, while another said of the week-long wait till the next episode: “The next 7 days are going to drag.”
Read more: Line Of Duty opens with a huge cliffhanger twist
Widely regarded as the best opening episode ever, fans said Line Of Duty “did not disappoint”.
“Jed has me hooked already,” said one. “How does he do that continuously?! 5 seasons in and still the best thing on British TV.”
The opening episode of the fifth series, which stars Vicky McClure, Martin Compston and Adrian Dunbar, also did well in the ratings, drawing in 7.8 million viewers – 2m more than the series four launch in 2017.
With plot twists and turns, including the apparent death of much-loved AC-12er Maneet in the episode’s closing scenes, many were calling for it to be released as a boxset on iPlayer immediately, as the BBC did with the first series of Killing Eve.
Read more: Vicky McClure’s nephew stars as her son in Line Of Duty
One Twitter user said: “You just know that if @BBCOne released #LineOfDuty as a boxset tonight we’d all be up until 5am.”
“Just wow,” another fan added. “They certainly know how to plot a season, don’t they?!!? Every single season 1st episode is TV gold.”
With fans in agreement that Line Of Duty “never lets you down”, we’re not sure they’ll feel the same if Ted Hastings is revealed as baddie H.
“I really hope Ted isn’t a bad fella,” said one, after the AC-12 boss was seen looking suspicious during the series opener.
Others shared his famous catchphrases when describing the first ep: “Jesus Mary and Joseph that was some opening episode.”
With others saying the explosive opening “bodes well” for the rest of series five, one lady revealed she enjoyed it so much she nearly forgot to drink her wine!
“What an opening episode. I yelled at the telly twice and almost forgot to drink my wine. Roll on next Sunday.” We couldn’t agree more.
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