Don't forget to check out where it all started over at Wandering Through the Shelves.
In Plain Sight
I became obsessed with this show about WITSEC agents Mary and Marshall during Uni. I can't remember exactly how but I wanted a new show and bought the first season cheap and the second soon after. I loved it! The later seasons were never released in th UK and I couldn't find the season 3 online. These were the days where I wasn't savy at finding things on the web. To be honest, I'm still not. Seasons 4 and 5 were easier to find but these were the days after Uni so I watched in real time. A great show that ended well and at the right time, a rare thing. Mary is brash and 'tough' while Marshall is very smart and laid back. They are the ultimate duo (kinda) AND they don't get together as that is NOT part of the show. Well, there is a thing about Marshall being in love with Mary but its not like that. If you watch the show, you'll know what I mean. Mary has a messed up family, her mother and sister are terrible useless beings and her Dad disappeared when she was young which is partly the reason why she became an FBI agent and later an agent at Witness Protection. Its not like other police dramas BECAUSE its set in WITSEC. Miss this show.
Luther
Idris Elba's awesome police drama that is actually really 'gritty' and sometimes hard to watch as the criminals are so gad damn scary and disgusting. I was pretty late to the Luther game and I still haven't watched the last series, or two parter(?) but I loved what I saw. Elba is brilliant. He has issues, yes, but so does every great detective ever, well apart from Miss Marple, she's doing ok. Anyway, Luther is a kind of by the book, loose cannon who always finds and gets the criminal apart from psycho Alice. It's a shame the series were so short.
Brooklyn Nine Nine
Amongst the serious police dramas, there had to be a comedy of epic proportions. Brooklyn Nine Nine is hilarious. Its meant to be a sitcom but I think it breaks barriers and is an outright comedy show. Unless it is called that now, then ignore that bit. The cast is so well molded and actually develop throughout the seasons (still going strong) which is always a good sign for comedies. Plus some of the cases have some odd outcomes, not always good or in the cops' favour which makes for a slightly realistic tone to the show. Like the mighty Parks & Rec, its a happy show. The characters are nice to each other and are a family which is what is needed otherwise shows just end up being about mean nasty people.
Line of Duty
I missed series one of this amazing show about AC-12 (Anti Corruption) but I was hooked on 2, 3 and now 4. The story in each series is gripping. They each play out like a thriller over 8 episodes with brilliantly executed cliffhangers every time. Steve and Kate are another fantastic example of an ultimate duo are again, friends. But its seems that the partner/romance thing is usually used in US dramas and the UK is more platonic, sorry but we do that better. Line of Duty, apart from its edge your seat watching, it also focuses on a completely different team than other police dramas.
Endeavour
This would have been a period drama pick BUT its about one of the most famous detectives on the small screen, Morse, but its young Morse, in the 60s. What's not to love? With only a sparingly 4 episodes per series (need more) each story is like a well crafted crime story film. Shaun Evans is superb as Endeavour Morse channeling John Thaw but putting his spin on the legend too. I was hooked on every series but I think the Great Gatsby-esque episode from series 3 was a definite highlight.The new series to hurry and be here already!
