Line of Duty fans were treated to a rollercoaster of an episode on Sunday which saw fan favourite Ted Hastings tipped as being the elusive H yet again.
In typical AC-12 style, a twist emerged in the form of a throwback clue to the 2019 series showing the misspelt word ‘definately’ during Jo Davidson’s messages.
And if this wasn’t enough to keep fans reeling, the dramatic instalment ended with a tense cliff hanger involving Ryan Pilkington [Gregory Piper] and DI Kate Fleming [Vicky McClure].
Could it be? Ted Hastings was tipped as being the elusive H yet again during Sunday night’s episode of Line of Duty
The shock reintroduction of ‘definately’ came as Davidson typed on her laptop to whoever is calling the shots, with them misspelling the word definitely.
Back in 2019, viewers watched as ‘definitely’ was misspelt by whoever was talking via an online chat to undercover cop John Corbett.
And while many thought it was simply a spelling blunder at first, Hastings then went on to type ‘definitely’ with an A during a police hack the following week, leaving fans convinced the AC-12 Superintendent was in fact villain H.
The reappearance of the incorrectly spelt word caused some avid watchers to think that perhaps H is really the fourth man, despite him seeming to have been cleared last series.
Shady: Jo Davidson was seen under even more pressure as she chatted online and agreed to ‘get rid’ of Kate so long as it was her ‘last job’
A clue! The word definitely was spelt wrong, with the faceless person using an A, just like Ted Hastings used back in 2019
Making things even shadier, it was during this conversation with the faceless crime boss that Davidson was told to ‘get rid’ of Kate.
Davidson looked distraught at the idea as she sat staring into her laptop screen, however replied saying she’d do it so long as it was the last task asked of her.
Coming through on her promise, Davidson arranged to meet Kate outside of work before changing the location at the last minute.
In the closing moments, Kate – a goodie (at least we hope) – and PC Ryan Pilkington – a baddie through and through – are seen with their guns trained on each other.
Leaving viewers on the edge of their seats, the episode then ended after the duo and Davidson shouted at each other to drop their guns.
Reaction: Dozens of people took to Twitter to say that Ted must be H after the misspelling
Has Kate – whom we’ve watched snaring bent coppers over six series – been killed in the line of duty? Or has she finished off corrupt and psychopathic Pilkington?
And if she’s only wounded, will DI Steve Arnott – Kate’s partner in crime-fighting – manage to save her?
Kate had managed to send him a text just before the intense final scene, however it remains to be seen if he makes it to her in time to help and catch Ryan.
Also during Sunday’s show Davidson’s DNA match were revealed, with it being revealed that she’s related to Tommy Hunter.
Drama: Sunday’s show also saw a very tense ending after Davidson lured Kate to an isolated lorry park
Several viewers had guessed that Davidson would be related to Hunter after last weeks show.
And Steve Arnott confirmed the news that they shared a ‘partial match’ on Sunday after Kate was called into AC-12 to hear the shock result.
Kate was visibly taken aback by the update, with Ted Hastings having to tell her that Davidson had ‘pulled the wool over her eyes’ during their Gail Vella investigation.
Hunter, a crime boss turned informant, was murdered by the OCG (Organised Crime Group) in series two.
However, many fans pointed out that there is no way to be sure that Tommy (Brian McCardle) actually ever died because his body was wrapped in bandages during series two.
Will she make it? Kate was seen holding up her gun, after concealing a weapon all episode, but the show finished before viewers could discover what happened to her
Bad: Ryan Pilkington was confident as he told Kate the gun wouldn’t be traced but seemed spooked by the idea of having been under surveillance
Look what you’ve caused: Davidson seemed genuinely distraught when she thought Kate could be shot, however it was her messages that got her in the position
Despite this being a potential, it wasn’t cleared-up on Sunday’s show with the plot instead focussing on Davidson being drawn further into the OCG’s shady dealings.
While elsewhere in the show, another twist saw the addition to the cast of James Nesbitt, though only as a photo.
He plays Marcus Thurwell, a detective in the racist killing of Lawrence Christopher – a storyline that appears to be based on the real-life murder of black teenager Stephen Lawrence.
Thurwell was also featured in another earlier series as the SIO investigating the death of social worker Oliver Stephens Lloyd.
The fictional case was being investigated by journalist Gail Vella, whose killing is the focus of the current run.
Will he make it? Kate managed to send a text to Steve ahead of the final scene but viewers didn’t see if he arrived at the location in time to help