Fans are still dangling in uncertainty over the cliffhanger ending to last week's episode, but that hasn't stopped them from looking ahead to the Line Of Duty season finale of Season 6, which will be broadcast in two weeks' time, and feeling a whole new level of stress.
One of the leading LOD fan accounts on Twitter stumbled onto the BBC website blurb for Episode 7. Safe to say, it makes for unsettling reading.
series 6 finale description! it looks like michelle “stop making a tit of yourself” brandyce is back! #LineofDuty pic.twitter.com/LvgHdCt7tp
— best of line of duty (@bestoflod) April 21, 2021
Have a look at the episode credits. You'll see there's no mention of Kate, Jo or Ryan, the three characters who found themselves involved in the dramatic conclusion of episode 5. Fair enough says you, it wouldn't be like the programme to give away plotlines through episode blurbs. Part of the greatness of the show is its own awareness of the intelligence of its viewers. However, given all the talk of a member of the show's Big 3 meeting an untimely end in this season, it does give one pause and stress seriously about Kate, who's currently deep in an OCG viper's nest.
None of the three are listed in the credits for this week's episode either, but we can be sure all three will feature.
The episode summary sounds very stressful.
With time running out, AC-12 attempt to unmake 'H', the Fourth Man (or Woman) commanding the network of corrupt officer behind the murder of Gail Vella. But sinister and powerful forces appear intent on orchestrating a cover-up.
There are a few other interesting giveaways in the casting credits for the Line of Duty season finale.
Episode 7 sees the return of Brandyce, who you'll remember working with Carmichael in AC-3 in Season 5 (Kate famously demanded she 'stop making a tit of herself' last season). We'll see the return of Ted's lawyer Rossport, which make it seem inevitable that Ted will be back in that see-through chamber, being asked hard questions.
We'll get the return of brutal women's prison guards Merchant and Leland, and with Farida back on the cast credits, we can only imagine that Jo's former lover will be in for another tough time.
The listing of a 'Medical Counsellor' can only mean that Steve is finally getting help for his addiction to painkillers.
Interestingly, there's no sign of Jimmy Nesbitt's character Marcus Thurwell - introduced this week - either, though Osborne, who many feel is H, is credited
We still have one very stressful episode to get through before we even get to the epic-sounding season finale. Hopefully DS Fleming will be there for it.
SEE ALSO: Line Of Duty: Post-It Note Close-Up Suggests Terrible Truth Stalking Jo Davidson
