Between the Lines launched Neil Pearson's career big time, and he became the hero that attempted to crack down on police corruption. Between the Lines was a huge hit and got under the skin of British police culture under the then Conservative government (this was a few years before Tony Blair and New Labour took power).Neil's character had a fondness for the women but that didn't stop him from his commitment to his work. Tom Georgeson deserves commendation for playing the Neil's sidekick.One scene was really gratuitous. Neil's and Tom's characters, along with others, were at a seminar hosted by a nerdy guy, and before the meeting started the nerdy guy politely and condescendingly asked everyone to put away their cigarettes. Then what happened? Everyone assertively put their cigarettes in front of them as an act of defiance to the nerdy guy and probably "political correctness". Oh dear. You can imagine the writer for that episode got some satisfaction that the audience were cheering for these cigarette- wielding heroes up against the nerd.

To my mind, this show, now 15 years old (well, nearly) is an excellent portrayal of the progress, or not, of its main character.Well placed, and pushing all the right buttons, he was promoted but with a qualifier:- do this s$$t job and... so he was transferred into a job he didn't request, nor did he care for in any way, shape or form.But, he was told, if do this you will get what you really want:- all in the fullness of time. This, over the course of the first season, proved to be BS. Luckily, or unluckily, he was blessed with a good team. He was interested in doing a good job and thought, wrongly, that it was a means to an end. Wrong, indeed. If he had not had a strong team, or if he had not been motivated to do a good job, for the job's sake, he would not have found himself in the situations revealed in Seasons Two and Three.Without wishing to prolong the agony here, the three seasons are an excellent demonstration of a downward spiral of a police officer's career attributable largely to external forces, coupled with his own inability to cope with these forces.Been there done that, bought the Tee shirt.And where do I buy the DVDs ??

Investigating corruption is a police matter. But what happens when the corruption comes from inside? When those entrusted with keeping law and order are those who break the vital code of conduct? Between the Lines is a powerful and controversial drama which tackled the touchy subject of the police investigating themselves. Created by John Wilsher and produced by Tony Garnett, the man behind the controversial 1970s series Law and Order, the drama is a tough and uncompromising analysis of that dilemma.Neil Pearson, perhaps best known for his role as womanising reporter Dave in Drop The Dead Donkey, took the lead role as Det Supt Tony Clark, ambitious head of Mulberry Street police station, who is asked to launch an investigation into his own men. Recruited by the Complaints Investigations Bureau, he soon finds himself in the uncomfortable and loathesome situation of infiltrating his own station.The first two series were superb, with great support from Tom Georgeson, Siobhan Redmond and the late Tony Doyle of Ballykissangel fame.However, by the time a third run was commissioned, Garnett went against his better judgement and obliged with a lacklustre end to the saga.It was a mistake he wouldn't repeat a few years later for his outstanding series This Life.

I have watched every episode at least twice over the past 5 years (we got this series a little later than the UK of course). It's realistic cut throat, no holds barred depiction of UK police corruption was leading edge. Presented in the UK at a time when confidence in the UK police was at a record low, this show encapsulated the feelings of the day. It is very well acted, the principals gelling nicely right from the first episode. The third series is less tight and focussed, which explains why the main cast members refused to sign up for a 4th series. Neil Pearson (one of the sexiest men on the screen these days) is extremely convincing as Tony Clark. In fact, I can't think of any weak performances at all. great writing too. certainly a "10"