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The Worst Episodes of Line of Duty

Every episode of Line of Duty ranked from worst to best. Explore the Worst Episodes of Line of Duty!

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A drama about the investigations of AC-12, a controversial police anticorruption unit.

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Episode Rankings

  1. #1 Worst Episode
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    Line of Duty Season 6 Episode 1 - Episode 1
    6.2/10(1564 votes)

    #1 - Episode 1

    S6:E1

    DCI Jo Davidson receives new information about the whereabouts of a suspect in the unsolved murder of investigative journalist Gail Vella. En route to raid the property, she spots an armed robbery in progress and stops the convoy. Suspicious of her motives, AC-12 launch an investigation. Still dealing with the fallout from their explosive investigation into undercover officer John Corbett, AC-12 soon realise they are facing their most enigmatic adversary yet.

    Director:Daniel Nettheim
    Writer:Jed Mercurio

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  2. Line of Duty Season 1 Episode 1 - Episode 1
    6.7/10(2144 votes)

    #2 - Episode 1

    S1:E1

    When Steve Arnott is transferred to a police anti-corruption unit, he finds his target is the city's top detective, Tony Gates. Can Gates really be as good as he appears? Arnott must engage in a cat-and-mouse struggle to uncover Gates' secret.

    Director:David Caffrey
    Writer:Jed Mercurio

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  3. Line of Duty Season 6 Episode 3 - Episode 3
    6.7/10(1221 votes)

    #3 - Episode 3

    S6:E3

    On the strength of evidence from a new witness, DCI Jo Davidson brings Terry Boyle back in for questioning about Gail Vella's murder. Kate is torn between loyalty to Jo and wanting to assist AC-12's investigation, and tensions increase when Kate encounters a face from the past with links to organised crime.

    Director:Gareth Bryn
    Writer:Jed Mercurio

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  4. Line of Duty Season 1 Episode 2 - Episode 2
    7.3/10(1825 votes)

    #4 - Episode 2

    S1:E2

    Having been duped into covering up Jackie's crime, Gates is desperate to sever ties with her. But, as Arnott and Fleming close in on his secret, Gates is plunged into an even more dangerous situation than he first thought.

    Director:David Caffrey
    Writer:Jed Mercurio

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  5. Line of Duty Season 5 Episode 3 - Episode 3
    7.5/10(1317 votes)

    #5 - Episode 3

    S5:E3

    Corbett's most daring plan yet requires McQueen to exploit links with corrupt police officers.

    Director:John Strickland
    Writer:Jed Mercurio

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  6. Line of Duty Season 6 Episode 7 - Episode 7
    7.5/10(2991 votes)

    #6 - Episode 7

    S6:E7

    With time running out, AC-12 attempt to unmask 'H', the Fourth Man (or Woman) commanding the network of corrupt officers behind the murder of Gail Vella. But sinister and powerful forces appear intent on orchestrating a cover-up.

    Director:Jennie Darnell
    Writer:Jed Mercurio

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  7. Line of Duty Season 1 Episode 4 - Episode 4
    7.6/10(1662 votes)

    #7 - Episode 4

    S1:E4

    Desperate for proof of Gates's corruption, Fleming pushes her relationship with him to the limit. But her behaviour causes Morton to question if she might not be such a loyal colleague after all.

    Director:Douglas Mackinnon
    Writer:Jed Mercurio

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  8. Line of Duty Season 3 Episode 4 - Episode 4
    7.6/10(1426 votes)

    #8 - Episode 4

    S3:E4

    Fresh testimony launches AC-12 back on the trail of a corrupt officer.

    Director:John Strickland
    Writer:Jed Mercurio

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  9. Line of Duty Season 6 Episode 2 - Episode 2
    7.6/10(1257 votes)

    #9 - Episode 2

    S6:E2

    Having opened an official inquiry into DCI Jo Davidson and Operation Lighthouse, AC-12 begin to suspect a cover up. Steve and Chloe dig into Gail Vella’s controversial reporting for clues to her murder, and find links to previous AC-12 cases. Their investigation takes a shocking turn when they begin to scrutinise Jo's personal life.

    Director:Daniel Nettheim
    Writer:Jed Mercurio

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  10. Line of Duty Season 1 Episode 3 - Episode 3
    7.9/10(1735 votes)

    #10 - Episode 3

    S1:E3

    Arnott is convinced Gates played a part in Jackie's disappearance. With Fleming's help, the anti-corruption team tries to trap Gates into revealing his involvement in covering up Jackie's crimes.

    Director:David Caffrey
    Writer:Jed Mercurio

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  11. Line of Duty Season 6 Episode 6 - Episode 6
    8.0/10(1285 votes)

    #11 - Episode 6

    S6:E6

    As AC-12 struggle to deal with the repercussions of tragic events, Hastings makes one final bid to uncover institutionalised corruption before his time runs out.

    Director:Jennie Darnell
    Writer:Jed Mercurio

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  12. Line of Duty Season 1 Episode 5 - Episode 5
    8.1/10(1799 votes)

    #12 - Episode 5

    S1:E5

    With Gates on the run, the anti-corruption team come under pressure to close the case once and for all. Arnott is forced to make some tough decisions about where his loyalties lie. Fleming and Hastings go all out to catch Gates, leading to a shattering conclusion.

    Director:Douglas Mackinnon
    Writer:Jed Mercurio

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  13. Line of Duty Season 4 Episode 2 - Episode 2
    8.1/10(1370 votes)

    #13 - Episode 2

    S4:E2

    AC-12 crank up their investigation into Operation Trapdoor. Kate makes progress in her undercover role.

    Director:Jed Mercurio
    Writer:Jed Mercurio

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  14. Line of Duty Season 2 Episode 3 - Episode 3
    8.2/10(1466 votes)

    #14 - Episode 3

    S2:E3

    Lindsay is denied bail and finds herself targeted in prison. Growing increasingly desperate, she tells Kate about a relationship with an executive police officer and her theory of why she is being framed.

    Director:Douglas Mackinnon
    Writer:Jed Mercurio

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  15. Line of Duty Season 2 Episode 6 - Episode 6
    8.2/10(1497 votes)

    #15 - Episode 6

    S2:E6

    AC12's investigation finally exposes a vicious criminal gang run from within the police. But while Steve now appears convinced of Lindsay's innocence, Kate remains determined to prove she had a role in the ambush.

    Director:Daniel Nettheim
    Writer:Jed Mercurio

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  16. Line of Duty Season 3 Episode 2 - Episode 2
    8.2/10(1438 votes)

    #16 - Episode 2

    S3:E2

    After the shooting at the drugs house, DC Fleming increases the pressure on Danny Waldron.

    Director:Michael Keillor
    Writer:Jed Mercurio

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  17. Line of Duty Season 4 Episode 1 - Episode 1
    8.2/10(1616 votes)

    #17 - Episode 1

    S4:E1

    DCI Roz Huntley is under intense pressure from her superiors to apprehend a serial murderer after months of fruitless investigation.

    Director:Jed Mercurio
    Writer:Jed Mercurio

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  18. Line of Duty Season 4 Episode 5 - Episode 5
    8.2/10(1360 votes)

    #18 - Episode 5

    S4:E5

    DCI Roz Huntley struggles to allay her husband's suspicions. AC-12 find a new angle to pursue their case against her.

    Director:John Strickland
    Writer:Jed Mercurio

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  19. Line of Duty Season 3 Episode 3 - Episode 3
    8.3/10(1422 votes)

    #19 - Episode 3

    S3:E3

    DS Steve Arnott believes there is a dark secret in Danny Waldron's past.

    Director:Michael Keillor
    Writer:Jed Mercurio

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  20. Line of Duty Season 6 Episode 4 - Episode 4
    8.3/10(1623 votes)

    #20 - Episode 4

    S6:E4

    DCI Jo Davidson faces increasing pressure from all sides as AC-12 make major breakthroughs in the investigation, but an attempt to interview a key witness goes horribly wrong.

    Director:Gareth Bryn
    Writer:Jed Mercurio

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  21. Line of Duty Season 2 Episode 1 - Episode 1
    8.4/10(1775 votes)

    #21 - Episode 1

    S2:E1

    A brutal ambush on a police convoy leaves three officers dead and a protected witness fighting for his life. AC-12 turn their spotlight on Lindsay Denton, the officer who led the convoy but escaped unscathed.

    Director:Douglas Mackinnon
    Writer:Jed Mercurio

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  22. Line of Duty Season 2 Episode 5 - Episode 5
    8.4/10(1476 votes)

    #22 - Episode 5

    S2:E5

    Lindsay fights for her life as troubling details emerge of a vicious conspiracy involving corrupt police officers. With growing evidence of links between DCC Dryden and the ambush, Hastings is under pressure to arrest his senior officer.

    Director:Daniel Nettheim
    Writer:Jed Mercurio

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  23. Line of Duty Season 4 Episode 3 - Episode 3
    8.4/10(1455 votes)

    #23 - Episode 3

    S4:E3

    As AC-12 wrestle with the new forensic evidence casting doubt over Tim Ifield, Kate is approached by another woman claiming to have been assaulted by Michael Farmer.

    Director:John Strickland
    Writer:Jed Mercurio

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  24. Line of Duty Season 4 Episode 4 - Episode 4
    8.4/10(1406 votes)

    #24 - Episode 4

    S4:E4

    Roz's husband Nick is brought in for questioning by AC-12. But while Nick denies any involvement in Steve's attack, his suspicions about Roz mount.

    Director:John Strickland
    Writer:Jed Mercurio

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  25. Line of Duty Season 6 Episode 5 - Episode 5
    8.4/10(1511 votes)

    #25 - Episode 5

    S6:E5

    AC-12 link Gail Vella’s murder with a historic case of police corruption, and Kate hatches a plan to tell once and for all if Jo is bent. They are closer than ever to cracking the case, but when Hastings’ authority is undermined it leaves his team in a potentially dangerous situation.

    Director:Jennie Darnell
    Writer:Jed Mercurio

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Worst Episodes Summary

"Episode 1" is the worst rated episode of "Line of Duty". It scored 6.2/10 based on 1564 votes. Directed by Daniel Nettheim and written by Jed Mercurio, it aired on 3/21/2021. This episode scored 0.5 points lower than the second lowest rated, "Episode 1".