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wecantseeyou · 3 years

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a word on color - how line of duty series 6 uses wardrobe color to frame narrative (pt 4)

Author’s note: this is the conclusion to my essay on wardrobe color and how it’s used to inform narrative in series 6 of line of duty. Previous parts can be found here: Part 1, Part 2, and Part 3. This part covers episodes 5, 6, and 7. Heads up, my analysis of episode 7 is actually quite short because of my focus on Jo, but I have many, MANY thoughts on Kate’s second to last scene and the general wardrobe choices for Kate in this episode.

Thank you to everyone who has been willing to entertain my ramblings here. While I have a background in theatrical production, this kind of meta analysis was quite new for me. I was relieved to see (most) of this theory actualized in the finale. Now, this part is nearly 8k words, all four parts together clocked in at over 20k words and nearly 40 pages, single-spaced, so I’ve officially written a third dissertation (after the other two took me 10 months…).

Regular warnings apply: I’m American and therefore may be missing certain cultural context. Spoilers abound, but I stick to Jo’s storyline for the most part, and don’t include my thoughts about the finale writ large (I may write an analysis of the series 6 storytelling separate from this, if there’s interest).

Read on below the cut.

EPISODE 5

Episode 5 opens with Lomax briefing Jo and Kate about connections between the armed robbery and Gail Vella's murder, showing them results for an industrial estate that matches the description given by one of the robbers. Jo is wearing the same outfit she ended episode 4 in, the orangish brown sweater and navy suit, while Kate is wearing a grey jacket over a white shirt, buttoned all the way up. A side note - this grey jacket does not fit in with the rest of the wardrobe Kate has been in all series, and from a meta perspective, this is because they have to conceal the firearm Kate is now carrying. Ryan watches from the other room, again in a call back to the way Jo was watching Kate in episode 3. Kate tries to talk to Jo, but she's quickly brushed off, much to Kate's chagrin.

Jo’s outfit, which we’ve seen her in numerous times, again demonstrates her pull between what’s right and pressure from the OCG. After all, Ryan has just threatened her twice. She knows that the investigation is heading in the right direction, which she both wants and is afraid of, and she is panicking. At the same time, she’s wary of letting Kate get too close lest she suspect something and acts on it, putting them both in danger.

Kate’s outfit actually shows some of that forced distance Jo is causing. We’ve seen her wear a white shirt buttoned all the way to the top once before - when she spoiled the raid of MIT by AC-12. That outfit showed her pull between Jo and AC-12, and we’re seeing that here again. This time though, the grey jacket shows that she’s leaning AC-12.

We see this in the next scene where Steve, in his grey suit with a white shirt and red tie, is directly paralleling his former partner’s wardrobe. Kate visits AC-12, and it's been revealed that she has permission to carry a concealed firearm because of the threat Ryan Pilkington poses. Now, call me crazy, but I believe we’re meant to understand he’s a threat to her at least in part because of her relationship to Jo, but I’m uncertain. When Ted asks for an update, Kate notes that Jo has become "cold and distant" toward her, and the team reveals Jo has been put under surveillance, which Kate isn't happy about. It's then revealed that Jo is related to Tommy Hunter (from series 1 and 2) through incest, which is of course horrifying, though we don’t know the full story of it quite yet.

Back at her apartment, Jo checks the laptop to find out the OCG won't let her go because of AC-12's continued investigation, which she promises to take care of. She’s surrounded by her blue flat, in her navy and orange outfit, her actions and heart still at conflict with one another. She’s distraught, and stuck.

Later, Kate and Steve meet in an underground car park in their matching navy coats. Steve shares that Lakewell gave him information off the record, which is that Gail Vella had been looking into the death of Lawrence Christopher at the time of her death. He also tells Kate about his discovery that Hastings gave Steph Corbett the missing $50k of supposed bribe money (from series 5). The former partners match here because they are coming closer to being full partners again, working in tandem and trusting one another with information. They have been at odds this series, particularly when it comes to Jo, but they have remained on the same page in their disappointment in the gaffer and belief in finding justice for Gail Vella.

Back at MIT, Kate is looking into the industrial parks that may hold an OCG workshop. As she researches, she repeatedly looks over at Jo in her office and seems to have an idea. She then steps out of the office and calls Steve, though we don’t see the details of their conversation. Kate returns to the office and goes into Jo's office, telling her that they may have found the OCG workshop. She asks to brief the team immediately to avoid leaks, which Jo allows while glancing out at the bullpen. We can see once Kate leaves that she was looking at Ryan, who is watching her closely.

We don't know it yet, but Kate has found a way to test Jo’s loyalty and her belief that Jo isn’t bent. She tells the team about 1 location, makes them hand up their phones (which pisses them all off), and Jo makes them all stay within the MIT offices just as Ryan is about to step out. As the briefing ends, Kate goes to Jo’s office once more and demands to speak with her, despite Jo’s rude and annoyed response.

It’s later revealed that Kate then tells Jo there are 3 total locations to be looked at, but they’re starting with just one. Meanwhile, AC-12 surveillance teams are stationed at all three locations to see if people are tipped off and by who.

In these scenes, Kate is wearing a navy suit with a light blue shirt buttoned to the top, while Jo is wearing a grey suit with a grey turtleneck. For both women, the high necklines that fully encircle their throats indicates their discomfort and their desire to have a wall up for their own protection. We see Kate in all blue as she’s on a crusade to prove the truth - Jo isn’t bent, and this will reveal who is (as she suspects Ryan). Jo, meanwhile, is uncertain, and her monochrome grey outfit reflects that. Normally, this is the type of thing she would be expected to tip off to the OCG (as she did with Carl Banks), but Kate has cleverly made it so she can’t. She’s trying to push Kate away, but Kate keeps pushing herself right back in. She’s meant to be wary of Ryan, but she stopped him from an opportunity to send out a warning - and that’s before she knew there were three potential locations. All Jo knows is that she wants out from this lie and constant threat she’s lived under. She’s in all grey, not true blue but certainly not a warm tone, because she hasn’t decided what her next step is yet. Temporarily neutral.

The initial raid is not a success, so Jo informs the team that they'll move on to the other locations instead, revealing that she and Kate did not give them all of the information. Lomax is pissed off, and directs that anger at Kate. From his perspective, the boss just told them she doesn’t trust him or the team and treated them all like a potential rat, and he chalks that up to the former AC-12 officer’s involvement. In an interesting parallel, Jo and Kate are wearing the same outfits under their body armor that we saw them in during the raid in the first episode - Jo in her black jacket and Kate in her green jacket.

During this raid, Ryan snuck out to call in the danger to the OCG from a burner phone, an act which was recorded by Chloe “the only real detective” Bishop. Steve, at the real OCG workshop, rushes in with his team which results in the deaths of two suspects. Jo and the MIT team arrive on the scene not long after, and Jo and Steve come to disagreement over jurisdiction, and she ultimately forces him to stand down using her rank (which we’ll see her flex once more later in the episode). I have to say, I have loved watching Jo and Steve come to blows in this series in part because Jo is so much better at it than he is. Steve truly has been Jo’s foil, contradicting her at every point. We see this even in their clothes in this scene. While Jo is wearing a grey turtleneck (typically in the AC-12 color palette), it is hidden under her black jacket, and Steve is wearing a blue shirt under his body armor. On the visual face, they appear to be working at opposite ends to one another, and in this moment they are.

Back at AC-12, Kate debriefs the team on what happened and let's them in on the honey trap* (*not really) Kate set for Jo, which she didn't fall for (but Pilkington did). The team is taken aback, and Hastings points out how risky a move that was. "As far as I'm concerned, that's proof she's not bent," Kate replies, stubborn to the end. Steve has a different interpretation - Jo assigned herself to the raid on the location with the workshop, and took control of the crime scene from him. "That doesn't fit with what I've witnessed firsthand. I needed to know one way or another." Kate will not back down from her staunch belief that Jo is not bent, an unfortunate foreshadow to Jo’s eventual betrayal. Hastings sides with Steve, but Kate clearly still disagrees. However, Steve does believe Ryan should be removed from MIT, even as Hastings wants to keep him there. This raises their suspicions because Kate had originally talked the gaffer out of bringing Ryan in, but the reality of the matter is that Ted feels he’s on a ticking clock with his forced retirement, and wants to handle this fourth man situation before he goes.

Kate and Steve are again in coordinated outfits here, dressed head to toe in blue. We’ve seen this before, the former partners in clothes that parallel one another while seemingly at odds. Sadly, this is because they’re again both right about Jo. She is using her position (and even Kate’s trust) to manipulate the investigation, but that manipulation stems from fear for her own safety as she herself is being manipulated and doesn’t want to do what she’s done. She’s like a cat stuck in a box - bent and not bent.

On the Hill, Kate gives the team the low down on the OCG warehouse and their next steps. Jo congratulates the team and tells them to get to work collecting forensic evidence while Pilkington sends laser eyes her way. This time it’s Kate wearing a turtleneck, this one in black under an olive suit jacket, while Jo wears a grey suit with a grey-green sweater and a blue shirt buttoned all the way to the top. Again, the high necks of these outfits demonstrate the discomfort and reservedness both women are feeling, but we also see a subtle connection with the green tints of their clothes. As usual, green represents the pull between two different compelling interests. For Kate, the pull between Jo and AC-12, for Jo the pull between Kate and the OCG.

Wearing these same outfits, Jo catches up with Kate outside of Hillside, where she confronts her about AC-12's knowledge of the raids. Kate tells her she tipped them off because they're making a lawful inquiry. "Look, I'm telling you the truth Jo, because I trust you with it." Jo takes advantage of Kate sharing the information with AC-12 and tells Kate to put in a transfer request, saying, "I wouldn't want to harm your career, Kate. It's best if you request a transfer." Kate is taken aback and asks "You've been distant with me for days. Is this personal?" Jo denies this, pulling rank the same way she did with Steve, "I'm your senior officer, I should be distant." Kate seems confused and concerned with her response of "But I thought we were friends. What's happening here?" And here we see Jo’s fear crack through her irritation, just for a moment, when she says, "So you can tell AC-12?" As much as Jo is pushing Kate away in order to get her out of the picture, she also has a real fear that Kate continuing to share information with Steve will get Jo killed. She’s playing up Kate’s betrayal to explain her anger, but she’s also hurt and she wants her to know that. Jo trusts Kate, even if she doesn’t trust her enough to tell her the truth on her own. Up until this point, Kate has worked with her and told her about AC-12’s work, even helping her get a leg up on Steve. Now Kate’s helping AC-12 get a leg up on her.

But Kate is nothing if not determined. "No, I wouldn't tell them personal stuff." Kate refuses to take the transfer, and Jo leaves in frustration and anxiety, leaving Kate confused yet again.

Back at Jo's flat, she's on the OCG laptop again. She tells the user she can handle AC-12, but they claim she can't because of Fleming. Jo tries to ask for more time to sort it, but time's up. "Get rid of her." Get rid of Kate, the last person Jo trusts, the one who just broke her trust.

And here is Jo’s betrayal. "As long as it's my last job." She looks devastated after she sends it, and she is. What she’s about to do is unforgivable. But scared and vulnerable people often do unforgivable things to save themselves. Jo just wants to be free, and she’s willing to pay a price for freedom.

Steve, in his iconic grey suit and navy tie, goes to visit Ian Banks in prison and learns that Ted is the one that disclosed John Corbett's identity that later got him killed. He later calls Kate to tell her the news. Matching Steve, Kate is in a navy shirt, but is wearing a black suit, only the second time we’ve seen her in this suit. The first was in episode 2, when she gave Jo the information about AC-12 and they later had dinner together.

Kate heads back into Hillside after her conversation with Steve and runs into Jo in the hallway, who asks to meet with her outside of work to discuss their 'personal issues'. Jo specifically looks at officers further down the hall to confirm they're leaving before speaking to Kate. She also lowers her voice at her own mention of personal issues, adding an extra layer of privacy to an already empty hall.

Checking to make sure there alone is something that Jo and Kate have done frequently throughout this series. In the handhold scene, they break apart when officers step into the hall. They mention how it’s easier to talk outside of work during both of their dinner scenes. When Kate tells Jo about Ryan’s spying, she dismisses Chris first, and later in that conversation when Jo puts her hand on Kate’s arm, they pull apart when they hear officers approaching.

Kate is surprised at Jo’s sudden change in behaviour from the past few days, but she agrees to meet with Jo after work. As Jo walks away, Kate clearly knows that something is up with her, but seems willing to find out what it is when they speak.

What Kate is sadly unaware of is that Jo walks away to lock herself in the bathroom and have a breakdown, distraught at the machination she has set in motion against Kate. Her hand shakes as she locks the stall, she falls to the ground, she looks around desperately for salvation. Jo’s mask, one that she maintains so strictly, falls for just a moment (not dissimilar to her breakdown in her car after framing Farida). Thirty seconds in a toilet stall to breakdown, to think about the consequences of her actions, about what she’s done to Kate. But she takes a few deep breaths, wipes away her tears, and we watch as her mask slips back into place.

Back at AC-12, Chloe “my back is worse than Steve’s from carrying this investigation” Bishop has uncovered more about the racist gang that attacked Lawrence Christopher, including the investigators, Buckells and the current Chief Constable. This was the story Gail Vella was looking into when she was murdered, and appears to be the reason for her death. Steve is wearing the same grey suit and navy tie as when he spoke with Kate, and while he’s grateful for Chloe for digging everything up, he’s also concerned that the young Black woman had to learn so many details about the lynching of a young Black man. [Note: to be incredibly clear, the death of Lawrence Christopher as described by the script was a lynching, and the narrative did not do enough to reckon with that fact for anything more than relevance to the global racial justice uprisings reborn in late May of 2020. More than willing to discuss this further if anyone cares for my thoughts.] As they discuss the case, Patty Carmichael walks in with gusto (and damn if that voice isn't an incredible acting choice). She’s taking over AC-12, and she’s cancelling the surveillance on Jo and Ryan.

That night, Kate arrives at Frederico's to meet Jo, who calls her the moment she’s locked her car to ask to meet somewhere less public, for claims of privacy. Kate is immediately on alert, especially after her attempts to convince Jo to stick with the original plan. But after a small plea from Jo, she acquiesces, but not without caution. Kate immediately knows something is off - this is not how Jo interacts with her. Little do we know, Pilkington is skulking in Jo's backseat, coaching her actions.

As an aside, this is also the only time we see them meeting out of work while they're both wearing casual clothes, not just the clothes they wore to the office.

Kate drives to the lorry park and calls Steve, because she's both an idiot and a genius. He’s wearing the same suit as before, grey with a navy tie. She learns that surveillance was pulled on Jo and Ryan, and explains Jo's odd behaviour, forwarding him the address. Unfortunately, their conversation is cut short by Carmichael, which immediately sets Kate on high alert and she ends the call. Just as Kate is about to leave, Jo pulls into the lot, and the tension escalates.

Steve receives the address and immediately informs Hastings and Chloe, ordering the team to get a unit ready. The team starts to rush out and Carmichael asks for calm, which Ted isn't gonna do when one of his people is in danger. AC-12 isn’t about to let Kate down.

At the lorry park, a distraught Jo gets out of her car and approaches Kate’s car. Kate tries to convince Jo to go somewhere else, but all Jo can say is that she's sorry. Kate is confused, but that goes away pretty quickly once an armed bent bastard steps out of Jo's car. He gloats to Kate, saying "Jo wanted to give you a way out. Should've put in for that transfer." Kate tries to convince Ryan to put the gun down, that the authorities will find him, but it doesn't work. Which is when Kate makes a gamble - she tells Ryan about the surveillance on him and Jo. Ryan tries to blame Jo for their situation, but she acts none the wiser (even though Kate told her about Ryan’s surveillance in the previous episode).

"Why would she come here otherwise?"

Sure, Jo is playing down her relationship with Kate for Ryan’s sake, but it isn’t quite that simple. Jo doesn't want to believe Kate had any faith in her. She wants to believe she was pretending, because she has no faith in herself. Her reaction does provide enough of a distraction for Kate to be able to pull her own weapon, and the most tense standoff ever begins...

One of the most key color choices of any outfits so far on the show are the clothes Jo and Kate wear to the lorry park where Jo sets up Kate to be killed by Ryan. Jo is wearing her grey coat, a blue sweatshirt, and a red top. Kate is wearing a blue coat, and a blue striped sweater with a band of red in the middle. These two outfits are ultimately the thesis statement between these two women. Jo is wearing red as her last layer, the one closest to her, but is surrounded by cool tones through her sweatshirt and coat. Meanwhile, Kate’s sweater has a stripes of red and orange surrounded by shades of blue.

But it doesn’t matter that Kate is being visually connected to Jo, because Jo is about to be responsible for her death via Ryan ‘the bent bastard’ Pilkington.

EPISODE 6

Nevermind though, no death for our beloved Kate!

Now, I’m going to take the next parts of the episode slightly out of order in order to tackle Kate and Jo together before their ultimate confrontation with Steve and AC-12. First, a run down of the AC-12 crew: Hastings is in full uniform, which represents his ultimate faith in the system, despite the bad actors and groups that try to destroy it. Carmichael is wearing a grey coat, aligning her with anti-corruption, but it’s piped along the edges with red, which shows how she’s opposed to AC-12 (though not necessarily corrupt). Steve is in his classic blue on blue on blue under his body armor, which shows his dedication to justice and also his faith in Kate. Carmichael confronts him directly about Kate’s whereabouts, which he fastidiously denies having any knowledge of, but unfortunately Hastings is forced to admit that Kate was permitted to carry a concealed firearm for safety. Steve doesn’t trust Carmichael, and this is shown back at the office when he tracks what Patty C is up to, mobilizing Hastings when she’s on the move.

At first glance, Kate and Jo’s red and blue outfits read as a visual metaphor for AC-12 closing in on their location, but I posit that these outfits are also indicative of Kate's belief in Jo, despite her anger that Jo has just set up her death. It’s clear at this point that their simple flirty banter from the beginning of the season has evolved into a deeper connection, which is part of what makes Jo’s betrayal so painful - Kate has been on her side the whole time. Jo just didn’t know it. [note: wrote this before the finale so guess who has egg on her face now…]

After a time jump (of nearly two hours, based on someone else’s analysis of time stamps and radio calls), Kate and Jo arrive at Steve's apartment. Jo asks if Steve can be trusted, and Kate leaves no doubt. Jo also asks why the surveillance got pulled, and Kate informs her about the chief and Carmichael. Jo denies having any part of it, but Kate isn't sure if she can believe her given the whole, you know, attempted murder thing. In a desperate bid to prove her loyalty to Kate, Jo asks for her gun, intentionally putting her prints on the murder weapon. Again, their coordinating outfits are the outward manifestation of their connection. Kate, while still angry, seems to accept what Jo is offering to her, but is clearly trying to maintain distance in the moment.

Jo then tries to see if things between them were real, but Kate refuses to entertain the conversation. What Jo is completely unaware of at this point is the lengths to which Kate has gone to prove that Jo isn't bent, up to and including risking a crucial raid on the OCG workshop. To Kate, it's a question that doesn't need to be asked, [the egg on my face remains] but Kate is also in disbelief that Jo would question her feelings when she's the one who was nearly killed by Jo. It’s an inappropriate time to have this discussion, and Kate lets that be known. They find Steve's personal car, a slate grey Mazda because this show is nothing if not subtle with its vehicular choices - even their personal vehicles tie in to their allegiance with AC-12’s mission.

Driving in Steve's car, Jo asks again if Kate was pretending with Jo, and Kate diverts the conversation away from herself. Was Jo lying to her when she hired Kate because she was ex-anti-corruption? No, she was hoping Kate, with her anti-corruption background, would stop her. Would save her, really. They discuss Jo's ongoing work for the OCG, and Jo's fear that she'll be killed if she turns, just like Tommy. She insists that she's not bent and Kate implores her to prove it.

Kate is pissed [for the non-Americans, she’s very angry, not drunk…] in this scene, as she should be. She believed in Jo, she still believes in Jo, but she betrayed her in a major way. And now, when Kate is sticking her neck out for Jo again, she's still too scared to reveal what she knows. Jo does reveal that Tommy was her uncle, and that her father was a bent cop, which of course doesn’t align with what Kate knows. At Kate's further insistence, Jo directs them toward Gail Vella's house, and finally to the old print shop the OCG had used in the past that is across from Terry Boyle’s flat.

Kate and Jo arrive at the print shop, and Jo is finally about to reveal the truth to Kate. This act, coupled with putting her prints on the gun, earns Jo back a little bit of the trust she lost, and this is shown when the two women share the same shot. Most of the scenes between Jo and Kate have been over the shoulder shots where one woman is the primary focus, and this scene pivots to end with both of them together as the focus. This change happens in time with Kate dropping some of her much-deserved hostility toward the other woman.

But before they can step out of the car, flashing lights and sirens appear behind them - they've been found. The fact that they've been tracked shocks Kate, but she spends no time dwelling as she throws the car into drive and speeds away. AC-12 AFOs have set up an intercept point, which Kate ignores in a truly badass handbrake turn, no matter if it makes any sense that they could have possibly known the route Kate would take in order to set up a kind of road block.

Handbrake turn or no, the Mazda has been intercepted and Kate and Jo are stuck. Kate is still confused that they've been found, but Jo knows the jig is up and tells Kate she's going to say she forced her to drive. It isn't until Jo tells her they have no other choice that Kate gets out of the car. Once out, Jo puts her hands up, but Kate refuses. Just then, AC-12 arrives with Carmichael, and Kate is in shock. "Jesus Christ, Steve's in on it" - cut to Jo's panicked face. This is the man Kate said they could trust, and now he's after them too.

What follows is a very tense standoff between the two fleeing detectives and AC-12. Jo surrenders, but Kate refuses. First Carmichael tries, then Hastings (at which point Kate tells Jo she learned some shady stuff about him), and then finally Steve walks up to them. Jo begs Kate to surrender repeatedly, but the DI believes she’s onto her second major betrayal of the night and she isn’t willing to give in that easily. She thought she could trust Jo, and she nearly killed her, and to her mind she trusted Steve and he turned her over to Carmichael.

Kate is prepared to tear him a new asshole, but he swears up and down that he has no idea how they got tracked, he wouldn't do that to her. Once he promises to get the two women into safety, Kate surrenders. As he walks them in, Kate shared Ryan's confession of murder and Jo's clue about the print shop. To the end, Kate believes in justice and will pursue it.

We then see a disillusioned Kate in her all grey Fruit of the Loom being walked into her jail cell. She sits down on the plastic mattress, looking at a total loss.

Later that night, Steve and Hastings are discussing the events of the previous few hours. Steve is in a grey suit with a blue shirt and tie, same as he had been wearing during the chase. The gaffer questions why Steve didn't tell him about Kate, and Steve claims it was to prevent putting him in a difficult position with Patty C, who walks in with the same question. Apparently, the former partners have keys to each other's houses and vehicles, in case of emergency. Carmichael taking Steve's phone would've read to Kate as an emergency. Steve refuses to back down, and she appears to drop it for the moment.

Now, onto Jo’s interrogation. A lot happens in this thirty minute scene, but to boil down to the important points: Jo is wearing her best Fruit of the Loom, stripping her of her identity and any affiliations she has. The lighting in this scene is cold and sterile, completely cool in tone. Steve sits with Carmichael and Hastings on the other side of the table, dressed in a navy suit, white shirt, and red tie.

Something very important to note in this scene is Jo’s reliance on Steve. He speaks with her gently, acknowledges her pain, and encourages her to be truthful even when it is clearly very difficult. She takes Kate’s trust in him at face value and decides to trust him too. His outfit actually reflects this truth. He’s wearing the same red and blue that Kate and Jo wore while they were on the run - blue surrounds the red. As much as Jo is trusting Steve here because of Kate, Steve is being kind to Jo here for the same reason. His partner and friend does the right thing nearly always - if she was willing to go to these lengths to defend Jo, he owes it to her to learn the truth. Nothing exemplifies this more than when the conversation turns to Pilkington’s death.

Jo refuses to answer at first and actually waits for AC-12 to show its hand first. She notices that Steve hesitates when Carmichael instructs him to talk about the evidence regarding Kate's gun, and she realizes this is her in, this is how she can prove herself to Kate once and for all. It's only after this that she claims to have shot Pilkington and completely shifts the blame from Kate to herself. This catches both Steve and Hastings up, and they react in obvious shock, which changes how Hastings treats her through the rest of the interview and cements Steve’s belief in Kate’s trust. Afterwards, she looks to Steve, who nods. He understands what she just did for Kate, and Jo is relieved to see his comprehension. The questioning continues, and Jo only admits to what she can take direct responsibility for, but nothing that involves the larger network.

Once Carmichael and Hastings leave, she quickly turns to Steve and says a desperate "I'm so sorry." Sorry for hiding evidence in Operation Lighthouse. Sorry for framing Farida. Sorry for what she’s done to Kate.

And Steve, gentle when he can be, gives her a kind "Yeah, me too," in reply. I’m sorry you were groomed into the OCG. I’m sorry you were scared for your life. I’m sorry you hurt Kate, too.

Patty C goes to talk to Kate, and lets her know she won't be charged for Ryan's murder - Jo will be. Kate has a look of relief on her face as she processes the information. But Patty C notes Jo isn't firearms trained, and Kate is. She's telling Kate she knows what really happened, and she's letting it slide. This time. Kate is well aware that Carmichael isn’t stupid - she knows Jo was lying and is only letting Kate get away with it because it better serves her interests. Kate is free, and she sighs with relief and the knowledge of what Jo did.

Steve, still in the same outfit from the interview, and Kate, in a navy pea coat and yellow sweater, meet in an underground car park. once she's been released. A quick note on Kate’s coat: I’d love to say there’s a deeper meaning for the shift in her coat, but I genuinely think it’s just because filming was originally in the spring, then was moved to the fall and continued until November, so it was simply colder. The cut and color of the coat are generally the same, despite the style changing.

Steve offers to lend an ear about the shooting, and then Kate asks about Jo's interview. Steve tells her they didn't get enough information out of her, and Kate tells him that Jo told her that her dad was an officer. "She's scared, Steve. After what happened to Tommy, Dot, Lakewell, nevermind John Corbett". Kate’s anger seems to have dissipated at least a little at this point, because here she is, defending Jo by explaining why she wasn’t forthcoming with a lot of information. This is most obvious through her yellow sweater - still affiliated with Jo, even through everything else. Steve lets her know that Jo is in a secure cell with extra monitoring, which seems to appease her. Kate then informs him she's been made SIO at MIT, and will guarantee cooperation with AC-12. Lomax calls Kate, and the two partners are back working together.

Kate and Steve meet Lomax at the OCG workshop, where he goes over the forensic findings so far as MIT’s resident plot reciter. Kate tells him they need to look further, and orders him to dig up the floor, ruining the poor man’s plans for the evening.

Chloe calls Steve with an update on Thurwell. Then we get a weird scene of darkvision Spanish police apprehending Thurwell. Truly hate it. He's dead. It's a deadend. Clever writing, Jed.

The episode ends with Jo in her navy blue jumper being put into her cell at Brentiss. Tweedle Dum and Tweedle Dee, Lindsay Denton’s besties, walk up threateningly before Jo is led into her cell and the door is shut. I do love the shot here of Jo through the door, caught in a small tight space that’s almost closing in on her.

EPISODE 7

Before I fully jump into Episode 7, please be aware that I am doing a textual analysis. I’m not going to go into the fourth man reveal and its logic or even greater meaning (particularly because I’m looking at this show from a different political context as an American), and I’m not going to speculate on things not seen, at least in this analysis, because the focus is on wardrobe. You can trust I have many thoughts, particularly around race and the writing around female characters, some of which I’ve included but most of which I did not. It took me 9 full days to write everything for this one episode, and was shockingly exhausting. Forgive me if it doesn’t live up to my other ramblings.

We’ll jump right into things. I'm gay but Steve looks so good here in his AC-12 uniform. Anyways, Steve is watching Hastings' old interview with Carmichael about Ian Banks. His concern about Hastings is clear. He’s in pursuit of justice, even if justice puts him up against the gaffer.

Later, Steve and Kate discuss the gaffer and his suspicious behaviour, and he informs her that Ted is slated for retirement. Steve wants to let it go, but Kate refuses. She asks if Steph Corbett knows anything more, and suggests she may be blackmailing Hastings, but Steve is dismissive of it. This causes Kate to raise an eyebrow - oh god Steve's done it again. Steve pleads "It's not like that, mate, it's different," and Kate has never looked more disbelieving and annoyed. She responds, "She's a person of interest,” and their conversation is cut short when Chris calls Kate with an update. Steve is still in his navy suit, and Kate in her yellow sweater. The lack of coordination in these clothes show Kate isn’t quite on the same page as Steve yet, but they’re getting there.

Lomax tells them there was a case found in the floor of the workshop, much like the one holding Gail Vella's computers at the abandoned print shop that Jo led them to. No comment on the OCG’s evidence techniques.

Steve, who kept skipping his occupational health warnings, is in therapy. I didn't cover the OH stuff throughout this analysis since it didn't relate to Jo, but this manages to tie in later so here it is now. It ends in him agreeing to temporarily give up his firearms license. I'm not going to discuss the rest of the meeting, given that Steve seemed to kick his pill addiction and reliance on alcohol and pain relievers to deal with his back pretty damn quickly and it's a storyline of entirely no relevance except as something Ted holds over Steve in a moment of manipulation later. Steve also admits this to Hastings before Occupational Health can tell him. This entire storyline is frustrating. Moving on!

Kate is watching Jo's AC-12 interview at her desk on the Hill, specifically rewinding to parts concerning who Jo believed her father was. She pauses it on a frame of Jo’s face, the terror clear. Kate is dressed in a black suit and a light blue shirt, back on the side of AC-12 and in pursuit of justice, not only with regard to the OCG, but for Gail Vella and Jo.

Steph calls Steve again, and he ignores it, because he's being a bit of a dick. Then he steps out of his car and has a back spasm. This only comes up so Kate can ask about it later and show that Steve, wearing a blue jacket, listened to what she said about getting close to a person of interest. Would truly love to know why Steve parks by an underpass by a river for this scene, but needs must, I guess.

Back at Hillside, another Lomax briefing! Because Chris, Chloe, and sometimes Kate are truly the only people who do any detecting in the entire series!!! Anyways, Chris tells Steve and Kate about the contents of the box under the floor of the workshop. Conveniently, it held four murder weapons (can Jed Mercurio spell deus ex machina?) and neatly tied a bow on Corbett, Bindra, and Vella's deaths, and in a nice series 1 throwback, Jackie Laverty's murder! Kate is wearing a grey turtleneck which coordinates beautifully with Steve’s grey suit, blue tie, and blue shirt. This shows that they’re back on the same page and on the same team, despite their ups and downs this series.

Kate and Steve return to AC-12, where Kate in her new navy pea coat shares that the proceedings against Terry Boyle will be stopped. Except, to my knowledge, Jo already handled that...? They literally made a point of it in her interview. Anyway, Chloe, like Chris, did all the detective work and tells them that the IP of the OCG laptop is in the UK, not Spain as previously believed. Amanda from forensics, the only other person who does any real work, interrupts with a message that shows Jo is about to be targeted. Definitely is spelled wrong. I give up. They feel the need to spell out what JD and BP mean, but spend 3 episodes never explaining what a CHIS is. Sure. Chloe is tasked with finding the fourth man via spelling.

Also I'm truly not being funny by why is Kate on the investigation board in AC-12. Like. What. Was she a suspect? She’s not with the other victims!

A very forlorn Jo in her blue Brentiss jumpsuit is sitting in her prison cell before being collected for transport to Hillside. Jo is very aware that something must be wrong because she’s a damn fine detective. She's mad suspicious as they head out to the van, and lo and behold, Tweedle Dee and Tweedle Dum are on the transport team.

En route to Brentiss, they learn that Lomax and Kate's signatures were forged on the production order for Jo. Meanwhile, Jo is too smart for her own good, and questions the guard during the transport about the requesting officer. Tweedle Dee plays dumb.

And then… nothing happens. They intercepted the van in advance, removed Jo, and planted Steve and Kate on the van. Because Steve is such a great choice what with his being an UNARMED OFFICER AT THE TIME. They arrest everyone. Steve ends up with a gun. Ok.

In an interrogation room, Kate and Steve explain what happened to Jo. Hastings looks on. Kate tells Jo she can apply to witness protection, and that all of her notes will show that she was under coercion from others, giving her a shot at the life she never had, but only if she reveals who the top man is, aka her father. Jo begins to cry, and Steve reminds her those OCG men were sent to kill her - this man doesn't care for her. Jo begins to tell them that she had no reason to believe Tommy was lying to her, all while speaking only to Kate. Steve encourages her further, telling her she's not bent. Kate asks her one last time for the name, and we see Jo resolve to say something before the scene cuts. Heaven forbid we show something happening instead of faking built suspense.

Now, I need to pause here for a small moment of rage. Kate should have been the one who got the call back line by telling Jo she's not bent. Not for any romantic reason, but because their little run from the police stunt was done at least in part under the auspices that Jo could prove to Kate that she wasn't bent. In fact, Kate pleads with Jo to do so. It's just frustrating, and gives Steve an emotional beat he hasn't truly earned with Jo, or at least hasn’t earned as much as Kate.

And Jo gives them a name! They search a prison cell, and find nothing. It's really built up to seem like it's Fairbank, who is revealed to be a confused old dude. Why Jo thought she was communicating with him this entire time is simply never addressed. Whatever. They ask about the murders and cover ups, and he offers nothing. Kate asks about Jo, and after some more pushing, Fairbank implicitly agrees that he and Tommy Hunter convinced Jo he was her father. Hastings is pissed, but Chloe calls to save the day (again).

Chloe "I should be Chief Constable" Bishop brings the team up to speed on the text search for incorrect spellings of the word definitely. Which they've apparently managed to do in a matter of hours, even on handwritten reports from 17 years prior! Because Jed has definitely never needed to do a text analysis by hand before. They then proceed to NEVER NAME THE SUSPECT. FOR 1 MINUTE AND 10 SECONDS.

Oh but don't worry, because this is the perfect opportunity for our realigned partners to confront Hastings about the bribe money and his conversations with Ian Banks. Can't reveal who the fourth man is when the head of the investigation is also a bent cop, silly audience. And it's revealed that Ted leaked Corbett as a UCO because of Corbett's role in the attack on Hastings' wife. But it's okay because he's sorry about it!

To be hella clear: Hastings, an anti-corruption officer who prides himself on following the letter of the law, took actions he knew would result in the death of John Corbett and Kate later forgives him for it. Jo was under threat of death from the OCG and tried to get rid of Kate via transfer and then led her to an empty lorry park to be killed while she thought Ryan was under surveillance that could likely intervene, and we in no way see Kate react to that experience in this episode. Cool!

Finally, we get the interview with the fourth man, which is revealed 8 minutes and 32 seconds after the characters themselves learn the information. For some reason unknown to God or man, Kate is there despite not being involved in Buckells' case since she works for MIT, not AC-12. Frankly, not gonna delve into it. Kate is wearing a sweater we've yet to see her in, a blue crew neck that is frankly more feminine than anything we've seen this series so far, and moreso matches what she's worn in previous series. It’s unsettling. Steve is in his classic AC-12 uniform.

Just a quick q for the kids at home - if Buckells only ever communicated with people via a secure browser on burner devices, how in the hell did he get a laptop in prison? Also, why did he not break himself out of prison by having someone else plant evidence of some kind, especially since he supposedly had a lot to blackmail Jo with?

At what I can only assume is their local, Steve and Kate congratulate themselves on doing nothing beyond sit in interview rooms to catch Buckells. Kate might go back to AC-12 - even though she left because of the gaffer's actions which turned out to be WAY WORSE THAN SHE PREVIOUSLY BELIEVED? Sure, Jed. They have a chat about what's been happening with Steve and his painkiller addiction. Kate implies he should drive up to Liverpool to see Steph, which he doesn't think is a good idea. But don't worry, they've got each other, mate. Platonic soulmates forever (no romantic underscoring in this analysis).

And then, with no previous discussion in the script or even telegraphing by the camera, Kate is in therapy. Which is great, because she truly needs it, girl has been through a lot. She mentions her ex, and Josh who is apparently her reason for living but she's texted about him once and mentioned him offhand to Jo to tell her he'd be with her ex, and then her great friend and partner, Steve (which is true, but the romantic framing is gross and out of character).

Not being funny, Kate is wearing a truly horrendous mauve top here, over a white shirt. We've never seen her in a color like this, it doesn't fit in with the rest of the color palette in her wardrobe, up to and including all of the orange and brown she wore at MIT. It's honestly frumpy, and in no way aligns with the characterization shown to us through her wardrobe in the rest of the series. The last time we do see her in an outfit like that is during the interview with Jo. Jo left and took Kate's excellent sense of style with her.

Kate and Steve meet with Patty to discuss Darren Hunter's involvement in the murder of Lawrence Christopher, and discuss how there's more corrupt officers to be uncovered. Patty C isn't gonna do anything about that tho. Hastings strolls up to chat with Patty C, and we learn that Buckells will get immunity. The trio are about to leave when Ted storms back into her office to confess to his actions leading to John Corbett's death. He gets one more speech about carrying the fire and bad apples in policing before they all leave.

For the final outfits we may ever see them in, Hastings is wearing a blue shirt, Steve is wearing a grey suit, white shirt, and green tie, and Kate is in a white turtleneck with a navy pea coat. Again, this turtleneck is more effeminate than anything we’ve seen her in this series. Hell, even Patty C is wearing blue to show she’s aligned with anti-corruption and just kind of a bitch, not actually corrupt.

Finally, to the blessed epilogue. Shoutout to Terry and Farida for getting some closure to the bullshit they’ve been through.

Jo steps out of her little stone cottage in the country, dressed in a casual sweater of grey and blue, breathing in the fall air deeply. Her layers of clothing are gone, her hair is down and soft. Her Icelandic sweater shows that she’s finally free to honor her heart, and no longer feels trapped by her family and who she thought they were.

And then, a dog trots out after her, and we see Jo bend down to hug the retriever and kiss its head. This is the most free affection we have ever seen Jo give. A set of legs appear in the doorway behind her, and a redheaded woman steps out of the cottage to meet Jo and the dog. Jo smiles at her, oh so freely after the tension she carried for 21 years, and they clasp hands, walking down the country road away from their home. Because Jo is free, and she can freely love and live without fear in her new life.

Now, from a purely logistical standpoint, very little affection between anyone could be shown from episodes 3-7 because of COVID filming protocols (which seem to be far more strict on physical distancing than American and Canadian productions). The production team actually did a brilliant job using forced perspective and interesting over the shoulders to make people seem like they were closer together than they were. From a film nerd perspective though, they broke the 180 rule so frequently that I nearly lost my mind (glass boxes are great but they ignore all rules of perspective).

All that aside, the logistics of filming in COVID mean that moments where we do see physical distancing broken are all the more important. Kelly filmed this scene with an actress who she has not been working with for months, because it is so, so important to see Jo come out of the other side of her tragic life intact. It also matters that her partner is wearing a warm hat and has red hair (intentional casting or otherwise) and that their home has a red door, because it shows that those warm tones represent something different for Jo now. They don’t represent fear and betrayal and being trapped - now they represent home.

Additionally, there are a lot of comparisons made between Jo, Dot, and Ryan. All three had been groomed by Tommy Hunter since childhood to work for the OCG, all three were put into the Central Police to act as inside men, and all three committed terrible acts in their own interest. But there are differences here. Ryan was a little shit as a kid and he clearly had a terrible home life - his mom was the worst. He gravitated to an authority figure who offered him something different and who gave him power. He is a victim of circumstance - but he also found power and enjoyment in his terrible actions. He gloated about Maneet Bindra and John Corbett’s deaths, and he enjoyed wielding power over Jo when he was threatening her.

Dot is the blend between Ryan and Jo - he too was groomed by Tommy to enter this world of crime, and did many awful things without regret, including killing people who threatened to expose his identity as the Caddy. It’s not until his friendship, and burgeoning relationship, that his behavior changes. He almost gets away from the Central Police, despite Kate hopping on a lorry for a free ride to track him down, but when faced with the reality that this would mean Kate’s death, he sacrifices himself and gives her a final clue to dismantle the OCG within the police.

Jo, from what we’re shown, felt regret after everything she did, and the show made it a point to demonstrate Jo as a victim of her family and genuine fear for her life if she didn’t continue following the actions of the OCG. We never saw Ryan or Dot with a gun to their head or with a dozen locks on their door. We never saw them break down in bathroom stalls, or even framing people and discrediting them instead of killing them. And it’s ultimately her relationship with Kate that changes things for her - she tries to use Kate at first to get caught, and when they get close she tries to push Kate away in order to protect her, right until she thinks she has no other choice but to let Ryan kill her.

It’s interesting that all three characters meet their end with Kate (and a damn shame the show never chose to address that fully). She quite literally kills Ryan, has a standoff with Dot that ends with him sacrificing himself for her and giving a dying declaration, and goes on the run with Jo to give her time to prove she isn’t bent and who plants evidence against herself to protect Kate. Later, it’s Kate who convinces Jo to give up everything she knows about the OCG and the man who claimed to be her father, and Kate who offers immunity and witness protection. Finally, in their last scene together, Kate manages to save one of the people corrupted under the thumb of the OCG. She completes a task she first set out for in series 1, the first time she interviewed Ryan and tried to get him to realize there’s a better life out there for him.

Kate does what Jo was hoping she would: she saves her, and gives her the life she never thought she could have.

I wish I could end this with a perfect bow that ties the wardrobe threads of this series together, but frankly I can’t. On a macro level, cool tones remains the symbol of anti-corruption and the pursuit of truth and justice, and warm tones represent any force opposing those ideals. On a micro level, Steve’s clothing choices and what they represent remain consistent throughout the series, as do Jo’s. However, the character that ties Steve and Jo together, the person who believed in the truth of Jo despite what face value was saying, that person’s wardrobe gets thrown to hell in the final episode. Kate’s colors remain cool, and it’s understandable that the warm tones that represented her connection to Jo disappear as Jo turns on the OCG, but the actual physical clothing is completely different from what she’s been wearing before and doesn’t fit her characterization.

I think it’s crucial to note that her femininity is only played up when she’s back on a team with men, where her earlier androgynous dress became suddenly unacceptable. It’s a damn shame, because the emotional payoff for Kate’s growth outside of AC-12 could’ve been really spectacular, and she was stymied in the end in favor of her male colleagues.

#line of duty #kate fleming #jo davidson #steve arnott #flemson #kate x jo #lod spoilers #line of duty spoilers #It took me a long time to finish this because I struggled with the absolute 180 degree turn the show took tonally in the final episode #It honestly threw off quite a few of my conclusions #and I had to rethink the analysis #but thank you to everyone who stuck with me #enjoy!

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crisscolferfanforever · 5 years

Text

Milwaukee Law 1.9

Milwaukee Law

Nightmare on Capital Drive

Base on the James and Ted Oswald case

Written by Smoothie Smith

We Approach Oakland and Edgewood we enter the apartment of Austin Smith and his Boyfriend Elijah North where his cousin Paul Johnson who is a Freshmen at Whitefish Bay High School we see them talking about Marriage Paul finally gets ready to go home on the Greenline

Paul

“I love you Both “

He leaves

We see Austin Watching outside his window and starts screaming as the van pulls up and takes Paul away

Elijah

“what’s wrong “

Austin points out

Elijah

“where did he go “

Austin starts to panic goes into the floor Elijah calls 911

We see Steve and Char working on a case file regarding a bank robbery in Hales Corner

Steve

“man, when is this going to stop “

Char

“who do you think is behind this “

Steve pours the soda

Steve

“a father and son duo?”

Char

“please you really think this happens because of a father and son duo “

Steve gets he debrief from Amanda who walks in

Steve

“I am just saying “

We see Ken Johnson and his wife come in

Char

“can I help “

Ken

“my son is missing “

We go back to the desk

Char

“sit down “

Steve

“now tell me what happens “

Ken

“my son went to see my Nephew and his partner in the Uw-Milwaukee Area and he told us he was coming home its been 3 hours and we haven’t heard from him or my Nephew “

Steve

“where do you live “

Ken

“we live in Whitefish Bay “

Jerry comes running in panic

Jerry

“Milwaukee PD got a call from someone saying that his boyfriend is having a major seizure/panic attack after he saw his cousin get snatch by a grey van “

Jenny

“where is Austin “

Jerry

“who is Austin “

Jenny (in a panic)

“I’m his Aunt”

Jerry

“Columbia St Mary’s “

Steve

“Mr. Johnson and Mrs. Johnson, I am going to send you over to see Austin and Elijah “

Jerry

“Char get Ray and tell mike to get in here and send squared units over to the Apartment and char and I will head over to the hospital “

They move

(music intense)

We see Paul in a shaft tied up we see someone about 18 years come in start taking his clothes and whip him we hear him scream

Paul

“please stop “

The 18-year-old dose it again and starts to urine on Paul before the pain starts as the 18-year-old starts to rape him

We approach the hospital we see Jerry and char running they run-up to a nurse

Nurse Jackson

“can I help you “

Jerry

“we are looking for Austin Smith “

Nurse Jackson

“who are you “

Jerry

“I am Investager Jerry Briscoe of the Special Victims squad of Milwaukee PD, this Ray Curtis and Char Sanders “

Nurse Jackson

“come with me “

They come in the room we see Elijah with the Officers behind him they are looking at a man who is

ELiagh

“who are you “

Steve

“we are with the Special Victims Squad we want to know what happens “

Elijah

“I am going to tell you he’s fine but he’s hard of hearing “

Char

“do you want us to get an Interpreter “

Elijah

“No, I will do it “

Jerry

“I want to hear from you though what you saw “

Elijah

“I was getting Lunch Ready and Austin was watching Paul get on the bus then he started screaming “

Jerry

“I thought you said he was hard of hearing “

Elijah

“he was born hard of hearing not deaf he was born with a voice and he now have the background of his Language “

Jerry

“oh “

Elijah

“they don’t get a lot of respect from the community “

Char

“what do you mean “

Elijah

“they don’t like the fact that some people in the hard of hearing community can talk, it’s all about private “

Char

“oh “

Nurse Jackson

“he’s walking up “

Char

“whenever you’re ready”

Elijah (Signing)

“hey, I have some officials that are here to ask you a couple of questions that’s it “

Austin (signing)

“ok “

Jerry (Elijah signing)

“we need to know what happen today what you saw “

Austin (Elijah talking)

“He was over to hang out with us and watch some basketball after that he said he had to go home for homework he had an m card I watch him out my window and then a grey van came up and took him “

Char (Elijah signing)

“Austin, did you read the license plate “

Austin (Elijah talking)

“NO”

They leave

We see Char and Jerry working with ray on this case

Char

“Austin said he couldn’t get the plate of a van but said it was a grey van “

Jerry grabs a piece of paper

Jerry

“Frank come here, I want you to get a street video of this and I want you and Steve to go door to door asking if they got anything “

Frank

“got it “

Ray comes in

Ray

“when do you want me to get Ryan involved “

Jerry

“what are you worried about”

Ray throws the folder down

Jerry

“James King and Ted King “

Ray

“they are the Subjects of multiple bank robbery’s “

Char

“you are saying there behind the kidnapping “

Jerry

“I am saying it could be a possible hint”

Steve

“jerry just listen you asking us to investigate a bank robbery tying it to kidnapping”

Char

“they live in Watertown “

Steve gets on the phone

Jerry

“what are you doing “

Steve

“getting stone and Ryan in here “

We go back to the warehouse we see an older man smoking counting money from a bank robbery we see Paul still tied up begging for help the younger duo comes in

Ted king

“dad leave”

James leaves

Ted takes his pants off and starts to urine on Paul then going behind him and starts to rape him and we hear Paul screaming ‘

Ted

“SHUT UP!”

Paul Johnson starts screaming

Music gets intense

Ted

“if you don’t Shut up I will be fucking Rape you until you are dead “

We go back and see the Milwaukee DA Office we see Jerry and Steve going into Megan old office Steve looks as jerry just stairs at it, it’s been 5 months since her death and jerry just get over its Steve waits patiently

Steve

“you okay “

Jerry

“yeah let’s go”

They walk into stone office Marcus is sitting in a chair doing paperwork, peter reading memos

Marcus

“you guys here see peter “

Jerry

“yeah “

Peter drops the memo looks up and drinks a soda doesn’t even bother to finish it

Jerry

“I never seen that before “

Steve

“what “

Jerry

“never mind “

Peter

“Officers what can I help you with “

Steve

“Austin smith a 26-year-old Senior of Uw-Milwaukee is in the hospital with panic attacks, the point is his cousin Paul Johnson a student at Whitefish Bay High School was kidnap we are thinking by the King duo “

Peter

“let me get Ryan “

Peter goes into Ryan’s office who’s on the phone with someone about the case of Larry Edwards

Ryan

“yes, but I can’t until Jerry Butting gives me the information on him, yeah I will tell peter “

Peter

“what’s up “

Ryan

“Larry Edwards lawyer is refusing to cosign a statement with me, what’s up “

Peter

“I got Jerry and Steve in my office they need our assistance “

Ryan comes in looks very upbeat

Ryan

“hello gentleman what can I help you with “

Steve

“we believe that a High School Student has been kidnap by the King duo “

Ryan

“we are dealing with Bank Robbery’s here why do you believe they did this “

Jerry

“Ryan , the victim is Paul Johnson he was visiting his cousin and his partner in the Uwm area “

Ryan

“I can get on the phone with Rick Walsh but I don’t know where they are with the case “

Peter

“Ryan , if they think the duo are holding Paul Johnson I want something done “

Ryan

“I will call him right now, can you guys wait “

Ryan gets on the phone

Ryan

“Rick this Ryan Matterson of the Milwaukee County DA office say we got a case that we need help on “

Rick

“what is it “

Ryan

“We are dealing with the King Family “

Rick

“who is the room with you “ he puts it on speaker

Ryan

“we are on Speaker, I got Peter Stone EADA and officers Steve Logan and Jerry Briscoe, we all believe that the King Duo is holding Paul Johnson a 14-year-old Whitefish Bay High School Student “

Rick

“where was the Crime committed “

Jerry gets on

Jerry

“Counselor, we believe that the crime was committed in the Uw-Milwaukee Area of Oakland ave “

Rick

“the King duo has a rap sheet of Robbery’s making bombs and other stuff in Waukesha County like Brookfield Square “

Jerry

“we believe they got that kid “

Rick

“Ryan, I am not going to fight with you on processing them back to Pewaukee if you need a special Prosuter I am willing to join the team “

Ryan

“thank you “

They hang up

Abby comes in

Abby

“Bank One was just Robed in downtown Milwaukee “

Jerry

“you got to be kidding me “

We approach the streets of Wisconsin Ave and Cass we see officers flying in with the duo leaving in a van, one officer approaches the van and the chase is on driving on the prospect the van stops Ted King gets out as officer Grevery is not even set Shoots him Execution style in the head and drives off

Ray

“we got an officer down “

Peter

“get over there now “

Jerry and steve leave

We see a women name Linda on Locust and Oakland where the two men are running away they take her at gunpoint and tell her to drive in the car

Jerry and his partner cruising in the car

Jerry

“All unit’s subjects are now holding a hostage turning west on Locust Riverside High The school I need one unit to stay on watch for Milwaukee Riverside High School “

They keep cruising

We end up off Capital Drive on Port Wash Road where the car runs out gas the duo stops by a house on Port Washington, the car is heading for north Glendale to Bayshore

Steve

“were heading towards Bayshore mall”

Jerry

“all units in the Bayshore mall set up check stops tell-all Port Washington traffic to turn around going west towards Capital Drive

We go back the 29 we see Ray with Steve and Jake

Jake

“we got something “

Ray

“what”

Jake

“two things, James and Ted King have a hostage on port Wash road and the other thing we believe we found Paul Johnson

Ray

“where”

Jake

“in abounded house on 27th and Capital “

Ray

“did anyone know that it's Paul Johnson “

Jake

“all I am saying is that a person walking their dog spotted a Shaft that looks empty to the point, it was a hideout they check the window and notice that a man or a a young male was in there tied up and naked “

Ray looks as the couple comes

Austin and Elijah come in

Ray looks at the couple just stare at the officer hoping for some good news

Ray

“Iwant all units to help out with chase on port, I want you and myself to go 27th and capitol, I want you and your boyfriend to stay in my office until I come back with your cousin “

Ray and Jake leave as Bobby and Phil bring Austin and Elijah in the office

Austin

“what’s going on “

We approach 27th and capital we see ray and Jake get out in front of the house with the dog walker

Jake

“where did you see it “

Ed walks to where he was standing

“come right here and look straight ahead “

Ray

“I want you to go around and find another way in “

Jake starts with other officers to the west side of the barn

Ray enters the house

Ray

“Paul!”

He goes upstairs he sees a Naked Young man tied up and bleeding he gets on his radio

Ray

“I need EMS to 27th and Capital I have a 14-year-old boy who needs medical attention NOW!”

We go back to port wash rd. where we see a cop standoff with the van where shots are being fired as the van driver door opens and the women that the duo took is thrown out of the car trying to escape the the car she is shot in the shoulder by officers two other officers are shot we see Ted King coming to the driver side and drives off we see them struggle as shots counties as the van struggle off the road hitting a tree

Officer

“Don’t Move King show us your hands “

We see Steve and Briscoe with Char

Char

“get out of the car”

The van just sits there

The FBI and other officers all go over to the van we see WISN 12 newscaster shaking

They wait until there is a signal

We go back to the barn we see ray and Jake with Paul being put into the EMS

Jake

“what are we talking about “

Ted

“I can tell you that judging from his appearance his body is really cold “

Ray

“I would perform a rape kit on him right away “

Ted

“yeah “

Jake

“We will see you at the hospital “

We go back to the chase we see the officers closing in on the van we see them break the door

They arrest them

We go to the DA Office where Peter and Ryan are listening to radio traffic

Peter rights down something on a piece of paper

Paper reads

1 Count of Murder,4 Counts for Attempt Murder, 1 Count of Rape, 12 Counts of Robbery, 2 counts of Kidnapping and then shows it to Ryan

Ryan nods

Marcus comes in

Marcus

“Ray Curtis is on the phone “

Ryan takes it

Ryan

“Yeah, good notify Austin smith and the Johnson family “

He hangs up

Marcus

“the Kings were Arrested “

Ryan

“they Found Paul Johnson “

Peter

“good, Marcus “

Marcus

“yeah “

Peter

“get ready for the case of the state of Wisconsin v James King and ted King “

We see Austin and the rest of the family at CSM where Paul is staying recovering

Austin

“oh my gosh “

They reunite

Steve and char look on as they talk to the doctors

Doctor

“are you the officers “

Char

“yes, what can you tell us “

Doctor

“we ran a rape kit and I can tell you that he was rape Serval times we found seaman all around his anus area and hairs that being tested “

Char

“what are you not telling us “

Doctor

“we ran a blood test on him and he’s has contracted a STI “

Char

“what are we talking about “

Doctor

“I can’t show you the test results, but I can tell you it’s I am glad we caught it, but he’s got a low form version of HPV”

Char and Steve look at each other

Char

“call Dr. Olivet “

Steve

“she can’t do anything “

Char

“Dr. Evans I just saying I want someone to tell Peter stone and Marcus Howard to know what they are dealing with “

Dr. Evans

“I will meet with DA”

We see the funeral of Max Grevery we see the police community of 400 officers and DA officials there including Milwaukee County DA’s

We see Logan giving the flag to Max wife as the cemoery couniting

We go back to the office of Peter stone when Jerry comes in

Peter

“hello what’s up “

Jerry

“I want to ask you something “

Peter

“sure, sit down “

He drops his lab top

Jerry

“what’s the count “

Peter

“right now, Ryan and I are looking at 20 counts including 1 count of rape and 1 count Capital Murder “

Jerry

“for both”

Peter

“yes “

Ryan comes in

Ryan

“I am going to court to try to get a search warrant for there Watertown farmhouse

Jerry

“who’s conducting this”

Ryan

“Your office and the FBI “

Jerry

“I don’t think the FBI is the right idea “

Peter

“we have zero choice we are crossing county lines “

Jerry

“where’s the farmhouse “

Ryan

“Watertown “

Jerry

“peter you want go with us “

Peter

“yes”

Ryan

“once I get the warrant go to the house “

They would wait in the office

We approach Ryan coming back Marcus getting a memo

Ryan

“my office fifteen minutes “ Ryan’s office at 10am we see Jerry Char Ray Peter and Marcus all on a conference call with the Jefferson county DA office

Ryan

“look Jessica I am not trying to make this hard on anyone, but we got the search warrant from a federal judge to access the farm “

Jessica

“who else there in the office “

Ryan

“I got peter Stone, Jerry Briscoe, Ray Curtis, Steve Logan and Jake Green of the Milwaukee police department Special Victims Squad “

Jessica

“why is it the SVS “

Ryan

“you guys want to fill in Dr. Brown “

Jerry nods

Jerry

“Dr. Brown, I am Jerry Briscoe of SVS the King’s are accused of Kidnapping and Sexual assaulting a 14-year Boy “

Jessica

“Ryan so there that was other 10 counts beside capital murder “

Ryan

“yes “

Jessica

“GO!”

The officers leave for Watertown

An informant and officer Van Dickerson go into ted king hospital room

Dickerson

“Mr. King, you are charge with Capital murder and 19 other counts, you have the right to remind silent anything you do say can and will be used against you in the court of law you have a right to an attorney “

We approach the farmhouse we see Briscoe and Logan looking in the farmhouse they go through everything they come up to a room which is assuming to be Ted Kings the room they find stuff from the words of hating fags, blacks, and Jews to Hardcore dogfighting and Gay porn

Logan

“hey Jerry, we got something “

Jerry goes by Logan who has a door

They go down the stairs they see cages after cages

Jerry

“call the pet control and the bomb squad “

An officer comes in

Officer

“Guys you might want to see this up in the master bedroom “

They go back upstairs

Jake is already there

Jake

“I found these docs and a diary that you guys need to see “

Jerry

“who do you think wrote it “

Ray

“bring it back to the office “

We go to the office where they are examining the dairy

Jerry

“watching Newborn puppies getting smacked with a club is something I am getting used to “

Ray

“What page is that “

Jerry

“page 12 “

Ray

“here’s one, I saw him bring older men in when I was 8 years old and we destroyed the gang-fighting dogs “

Jerry

“hey, I want Olivet in here listening to this, this is on page 40 I Rape that Paul Johnson kid and I am glad “

Ray

“are we saying Ted King wrote this “

We approach James king hospital room we see Dickerson and Marcus coming in

Marcus

“James King, we have a warrant for your Arrest charging you with 20 counts including Capital Murder and Rape you have the right to remain silent anything that you say can and will be used against you in a court of law you have a write to an attorney “

We approach Whitefish bay we see officer Char and Ray visiting Paul Johnson

Char

“how’s he doing “

Ken

“he doesn’t want to talk to anyone, I want to send him to a doctor, but I don’t know if he is willing to do it he’s got to have the will power “

Ray

“what is your nephew going to school for “

Ken

“Education/Healthcare “

Ray

“as in “

Ken

“special education and Social work he wants to wait a couple of years before he goes back to his master, Why “

Ray

“I was going to say maybe he could talk to him”

Ken

“I want a doctor trust me I love Austin and ELiagh, but I think Austin would not be able to help “

Ray

“ok I will get in touch with J.K Simmons one the DA’s Doctor’s “

Ken

“thank you for everything “

We see courtroom 321 in downtown Milwaukee we approach the bench where a wheelchair James King and Ted King appear before a judge

Deputy

“People V. James King and Ted King Charges are murder in the first-degree rape in the first degree and 18 other counts of attempt murder and robbery “

Judge Hugh Berry

“do we have a plea “

Attorneys come in

Jeffery Jensen

“my Client plead not guilty “

Hugh

“who’s the client “

Jeffery

“Ted King the 18-year-old “

Hugh

“ok, do the people need any other paperwork process to the court “

Marcus

“nope”

Hugh

“ok we will schedule a hearing for two weeks from today “

We see J.K Simmons coming in we see Paul Johnson sitting there

J.K

“can you tell me what’s life been like “

Paul

“I am trying to move forward but it’s hard “

J.K

“a lot of Rape Victims take time “

Paul

“yes, I know “

J.K

“do you understand what ted King did to you “

Paul

“yes and NO”

J.K

“do you have anything against your cousin because of what happened “

Paul

“No”

We approach Peter stone’s office where J.k is talking

Peter

“I want to Put Paul Johnson on the stand, but I don’t want to push it “

J.K

“I can tell you that he’s still in shock “

Marcus

“what else “

J.K

“Paul is the only one that will convict ted you don’t need him for James King Trial”

Peter

“when do you think it would be the right time to ask a question to Paul about the case “

Olivet

“three days “

Peter

“ok in the meantime, I want a review on Ted King, and Marus get the Wisconsin Attorney General in my office “

We see Ryan and the Wisconsin Attorney General for questioning on who to take the case

Ryan

“King hates Peter “

Peter

“yeah he doses”

Luke looks on

Luke

“have you thought about going with Marcus as led and then have Rebecca Yoder as the second chair and you Ryan will take the third chair “

Ryan gets up looks out the window of Wisconsin Ave and State Street

Ryan

“I got an idea “

Musi/c (intense)

We see Marcus in his office when Austin Smith and Paul Johnson come in

Marcus

“Paul Johnson “

Paul

“I’m ready “

They sit down

Peter comes in sits in the back

Marcus

“what happen “

Paul

“I was getting ready to go on the Greenline when a grey van pulled up they were mask and they put me into the car “

Marcus

“where did they take you too “

Paul

“they took me to this Mine Shaft on Capital and port wash Rd “

Marcus

“do you remember what they did to you “ Paul

“no “

Austin speaks up with Elijah helps

Austin (signing/Elijah talking)

“I tried getting that information, but it’s locked “

Peter (Elijah signing)

“do you think if we try to get Olivet to help out “

Austin looks at Paul

Austin (Elijah speaking)

“I believe that could work “

Peter (Elijah speaking)

“thank you both “

They leave

Peter phones the Office assistant

Peter

“hey Tami, can you have Marcus come in right away “

Tami

“should I tell him what it’s about “

Peter

“Linda Opat”

Marcus comes in

Marcus

“so what’s your idea “

Peter

“we need to discuss Linda Opat crossing on the stand “

Marcus

“Peter, I don’t want to put her on the stand if you and Ryan don’t think it’s going to have a factor”

Peter looks at the window

Peter

“Marcus Call JK and tell him to meet us at the East End Café for Lunch “

We see the three of them at the East End Café talking about the case

“so, what do you guys have in mind “

Marcus

“our office is trying to figure out if we want to put Linda Oapt on the stand “

“would you want me to do an interview with her “

Peter

“yes I would “

“I can do that and report back to you “

Peter

“go easy”

We approach JK office we see Linda in a chair being interview

“How are you doing “

Linda

“I am fine “

“I take it your getting that question a lot “

Linda

“yes “

“what worries you the most “

Linda

“That both of them will escape “

“you know the Rap Sheet “

Linda

“no “

J.K

“They Kidnapped and Rape a 14-year-old male “

Linda

“nobody told me about that “

J.K

“so, I want you to tell me what your state of mind and I want you to share with me your thoughts on if you think you want to testify “

Linda

“I want them put behind bars, but I kind of want the parties to sort it out but then again if I don’t help out they will be back on the streets robbing banks and killing people “

She begins to cry

Linda

“I’m thinking about Moving out of the City of Milwaukee I am so Afraid of everything, everyone, and maybe it’s PTSD “

We see Marcus and JK talking

Marcus

“so, what do you think “

J.K

“she is in a state of Shock and she doesn’t know what to do in terms of this case because she is so badly trauma to the point she is in fear of her life she basically believes she has PTSD which I agreed with her on that “

Marcus

“do you think it would help our case “

J.K

“it’s hard to say how she will react to being in the same room as the King’s”

We see court room for the trial we see Marcus prepping for the James King case Marcus is questioning the Shield King the Wife and mother of the two

Marcus

“so, when did you divorce your husband “

Shield king

“three years ago, when I found out that he was killing puppies and robbing banks “

Marcus

“so, what about your son”

James King

“Objection my son is now on trial “

Marcus

“I will re approach the question “

He looks at the wittiness

Marcus

“what is your biggest fear about your ex-husband “

Shield king

“that he would go after me”

Marcus

“thank you nothing else “

James king with a wheel chair looks at his ex-wife

King

“do you fucking hate me “

Shield king

“yes “

King

“do you think I would ever kill “

Shield

“yes and no”

We approach Marcus Crossing Jerry

Marcus

“so, once they got onto Port Wash RD what happen”

Jerry

“all hell broke loose “

Marcus

“do you know what they were caring “

Jerry

“M-16 “

Oswald

“Objection line of question “

Marcus

“I will hold you in compet of this court “

Judge

“hold on the objection is over ruled and Marcus please don’t get carried away “

As court ends we see James king Blow a kiss to the widow of Max Grevery and taunt Paul Johnson

We see Olivet interviewing Paul Johnson

Paul

“I was Raped by Ted King “

Olivet

“are you willing to tell all to Marcus and peter “

Paul

“yes “ Marcus looks on

Marcus

“set up the interview with Paul Johnson and then after that interview Austin I want these two on the stand before I take the closing arguments “

We see Peter and Marcus with Jerry and char interviewing

Jerry

“tell me what happens first “

Paul

“I was waiting for the Greenline while going to the north to Whitefish Bay “

Jerry

“what happen next”

Paul

“two men with Ski Mask came up to me and grab me in the van and the next thing I know is that I was naked tied up to the wall “

Char

“can you tell me what happens with ted king “

Austin

“it’s ok Paul “

Paul

“Ted would pull down his pants and start to perform anal sex on me then he would urine on me after he was done “

Char

“did James king do anything “

Paul

“no, he was never there “

Jerry

“Marcus we got the bastered”

Marcus

“lets go to court “

We see court room where ted king makes a shocking news

Ted

“your honor I would like to change my plea to guilty because of mental disease “

Judge Newsome

“dose the DA have any objection “

Marcus looks at peter

Peter (voicing)

“no “

Marcus

“your honor we have no objection however I want my experts to exam ted King “

Judge grants that motion

We see Olivet interviewing ted king

Ted

“he was my creator and I was just a thing to him I was like a dog to him if I was good he was good to me and if I was bad he was going to shot me “

Olivet

“do you know what your charge with “

Ted

“no “

Olivet

“do you want to tell me what you did to Paul Johnson “

Ted

“can’t the Media tell you “

Olivet

“I’ve heard them, but I want you to tell me what you did in your own words “

Ted

“My father told me to do it “

Olivet

“what “

Ted

“told me to pound that Boy’s Ass “

We approach Peter stone’s office peter talking to Marcus

Peter

“I don’t want to throw the whole case down the toilet though Marcus “

Marcus

“you know the mayor will not accept this at all “

Peter

“we are dealing with a rape charge and a capital Murder Charge “

Marcus

“so, what do you want to do “

Peter gets on his phone

Peter

“I want the Mayor in my office now!”

Ryan comes in

Ryan

“what’s going on “

Marcus (Sighing)

“the mayor wants us to drop the charge on the rape of Paul Johnson “

Ryan

“for who”

Marcus

“James King “

Ryan

“I will talk to Tom “

Peter looks at Ryan as he leaves

Judy comes in

Judy

“Peter, Olivet is here “

Peter

“send her in “

Olivet comes in

Peter

“what do you know “

Olivet sits down

Olivet

“Peter my mother knew your father would never do this when he was doing this type of crime “

Peter

“which is charge both “

Olivet

“yes, listen Ted knows right from wrong, but he is the one that rape Paul Johnson “

Peter

“your saying drops the rape charge on the father “

Olivet

“not after I tell you this “

Marcus

“which is “

Olivet

“James king is in control, he controls his son “

Marcus

“so, you're saying that ted was told to do this “

Olivet

“it’s possible but I believe by talking to him he could’ve walked away “

Peter

“so, before we get to Paul Johnson I want you to tell me if you were in my shoes what would you do “

Olivet

“to be honest stone I would drop the charge of rape against James king “

Peter

“Marcus, I want you to get a meeting with the former DA of Waukesha county, what can you tell me about Paul Johnson, is he ready for cross “

Olivet

“I believe he is, but he is scared to even mention Ted King’s Name “

Peter

“Marcus, I want him on cross first thing tomorrow morning we are going to nail Ted King for Rape and Murder “

Olivet

“peter do you believe that the lawyers will go after Paul Johnson “

Peter

“yes”

Olivet

“object to any question “

Peter

“were going to try and do that “

Sandy calls back

Sandy

“Peter Briscoe and Logan are here “

Peter

“send them in “

They come in

Logan

“this came into our office “

He drops on the book

Peter reads it

Peter

“Olivet I am going to follow you, but I want you too look at this “

He hands the book over to her

The music gets intense as Olivet reading in horror

Peter

“Marcus get ready for the cross of your life “

We go back to court where Paul Johnson is on the stand

Marcus

“Paul, I want you to tell me what happen on April 12th, 2019 “

Paul

“I was in the Uw-Milwaukee Area visiting my Cousin Austin Smith and his Boyfriend Elijah North I left around 2Pm and I got on Oakland and Kenwood to get on the Greenline and the van came up and took me “

Marcus

“what happen in the van “

Paul

“nothing because I don’t remember that “

Marcus

“what was the next thing you remember can you please tell the jury “

Paul

“I woke up my hands tied up and hanging from the wall and ted king came in the room and the next thing I was being invold in anal sex and ending with him pissing on me “

Marcus

“what do you fear the most “

Paul

“I have the worst Nightmares at night when I am sleeping “

Marcus

“who has helped you “

Paul

“my parents but most importantly the two men that I call my best friends Austin and ELiagh “

Marcus

“thank you “

He goes back to his seats

Judge Hugh

“any question Counselor “

They shake their heads

Jerry

“your Honor we would like to cross Mr. Johnson at later date”

Judge

“granted, what else do you have for Mr. Howard “

Marcus

“people have one more wittiness the people call Pasty Grevery “

Pasty gets on the stand

Marcus

“McGreevy can you tell me how your family is dealing “

Pasty

“we’ve lost the soul of this family my sons can’t take the pain, I want both men in prison for life “

Marcus

“no more question your honor “

We see outside the courtroom were Pasty Grevers is making a statement Marcus and Peter are looking on

Pasty

“I want the press to know that I’m deeply sorry for what happened to Paul Johnson and his family I will be there for any support that they might need as they have given us all the support that is needed for us and we are so grateful for them “

Reporter 1

“do you believe in the death pleanty “

Pasty

“I do however I also must believe that the state of Wisconsin is doing the best job putting these two people in the prison for the rest of their lives “

They leave

We approach the courtroom were Ted King is on the stand

Ted

“he was my creator I was his spawn and I am just a thing to him “

Jeff

“no more question “

We go back to the office where Marcus and Peter are working when the phone rings

Marcus

“where on standby now “

Ryan

“give it 6 hours if they come back after that were dead “

Marcus

“do you think they are going to find them Not Guilty “

Ryan

“I don’t know it’s Milwaukee County “

The phone rings

Peter

“yes, thank you for the call “

Marcus looks

Peter

“thank you, I have both them in here I will tell them “

Peter hangs up the phone and looks out the window and see nothing but darkens as it’s 9:45 pm turns around to see Marcus and Ryan with Holly

Peter

“Shied King committed suicide they found her on the porch when a gunshot to the head “

Ryan

“who found the Body “

Peter

“Lisa Schalow a Resident in the town of Pewaukee “

Ryan

“I’ll call Olivet tomorrow “

Marcus

“thanks “

Marcus gets a phone call

Marcus

“yes, thank you “

Marcus

“we have a verdict “

They race off to the courthouse where they approach by the reporters

Colleen Henry

“Mr. Stone what would be a victory in the Ted Oswald case “

Peter

“people I wish you didn’t treat it like a Soap Opera “

They leave into the courthouse

We go back to the courtroom where the verdict is in the James King case

Judge Hugh

“has the jury reach a verdict “

Jury Forman

“yes, we have “

Music is intense

Jury

“we the jury find the defendant James King and Ted King Guilty of First-Degree Murder “

Judge

“as the charge of Rape of Paul Johnson how do you find the defendant ted king”

Jury Forman

“we find the defendant Guilty of First-degree Rape “

Judge

“the Sencting will happen in three days”

We see Ryan office with the tv on we see an interview about James king

Mike Jacobs

“he walks with a cane hobbled by a high-speed crash when he and son robbed a bank, killed a cop and had a wild shoot out with police in his first-ever interview James King was always delineate he is spending his time at the Columbia Correctional facility the same prison where Jeffery Dahmer was murder he still insists that Milwaukee Police Captain Max Grevey was killed by friendly fire during that shot out “

Mike Jacobs

“if you could speak to Ms. McGreevy what would you say “

James king

“I don’t know, I don’t know what I would say to her other then I wish his death did not happen “ Mike Jacobs

“so are you, two cold heartless killers “

James King

“Probably not”

Mike Jacobs

“probably?”

James King

“I am being a little facetious here have you ever talk to a cold heartless killer “

Mike Jacobs

“am I talking to one now “

Music Intense as James king Answers

Peter

“wow “

Marcus

“a a reporter is asking me if ted is going to get a new Trial “

Peter

“probably but I won’t be alive to see it “

Ryan

“nor will he “

End of 1.9

Author notes: The Script that you just read is inspired by the Murder of Police Caption James Lutz of Wauksuea County and the Kidnapping of Minnesota businessman Paul Hawks although the Kidnapping and rape Paul Johnson is fictional there was a kidnapping invold. James Oswald and Ted Oswald are both in Spreate Prisons serving their life Sentence

0 notes