Line of Duty’s Patricia Carmichael leaves fans convinced she’s H after Morse code interview clue

Line of Duty fans were left convinced that Detective Chief Superintendent Patricia Carmichael is the fourth man after Sunday’s episode.

The officer, played by Anna Maxwell Martin, placed herself at the centre of the action as she ordered Kate Fleming be arrested following the shootout and then tried to shut down Ted Hastings’ questions during a very intense interview of Jo Davidson. 

Some viewers even theorised that Carmichael was trying to send a message during the ‘puzzling’ interview – which also saw Jo discover her paternity despite offering more ‘no comments’ than answers – based on how often she tapped her pen.

Carmichael was first seen arriving at the scene of last week’s cliffhanger where Kate Fleming [Vicky McClure] and Ryan Pilkington [Gregory Piper] pointed their guns at each other and two shots were heard before the screen went black.

And after finding Ryan’s body with two bullet wounds to the chest and being told by Hastings [Adrian Dunbar] that Kate has been authorised to carry a concealed weapon, Carmichael declared them ‘armed and dangerous’.

She also caught eagle-eyed viewers attention once Kate and Jo were apprehended by police following a high-speed car chase – as it transpired was made possible after she and the chief gave orders to track all of AC-12s vehicles.

This pivotal bit of information was revealed once Arnott [Martin Compston] had talked Kate into surrendering and he was going over the events back at headquarters with Hastings.

Explaining that he and Kate have keys to each others cars and houses for when there’s an ‘unexplained disruption to the chain of command’ he was left stunned when Carmichael cruelly revealed Hastings secret and approaching retirement.

However despite all of this already raising suspicion, it was during the intense – and very long – interview of Jo that many viewers decided that Carmichael must be H or at the very least involved with the OCG herself.

The interview saw Jo discover that her uncle Tommy Hunter was actually her father as well, with the officer emotionally revealing that her mother had told her she’d been raped as a teenager and how ‘uncle’ Tommy controlled both of their lives.

Despite Jo finally starting to open up on some points after numerous ‘no comments’, Carmichael repeatedly shut down Arnott and Hastings’ questions whenever they verged on talk of corruption in the force. 

On fan said Carmichael’s behaviour here left them thinking she was H, tweeting: ‘That was a tense interview scene. Carmichael didn’t wanna go into any police corruption at all. Jo protecting Kate. All very puzzling.’

Another simply stated: ‘Carmichael absolutely the fourth caddy that interview gave everything away #LineofDuty’ 

While others even theorised that Carmichael was sending out some kind of message during the interview, based on how often she tapped her pen.

A third summed up the opinion of many as they quoted Hastings and said: ‘Jesus, Mary, Joseph and the wee donkey! Line of Duty that was intense from start to finish!

‘Carmichael shutting down every question about and reference to OCG links to high ranking police officers…’ 

One person wrote: ‘Carmichael tapped her pen 4 times in the interview . . . . = H in morse code.’ 

And another agreed, adding: ‘Carmichael is H she has to be. Why is she tapping the table 4 times? #lineofdutyday #LOD’ 

However one fan suggested that Osborne was H, and Carmichael was actually trying to cover for him, tweeting: ‘Osborne has got to be H, and that’s who Jo thought her father was? 

‘Carmichael shut down the convo every time Osborne was mentioned. Whoever Jo thought her dad was, that’s H right? Also I can’t hack Ted Hastings being upset like this so I’d appreciate less of that #LineofDuty 

This Morse code theory popped up during Arnott’s questioning of Davidson, specifically when he tried to get information about Gail Vella’s laptop and computer. 

Although Jo remained tight-lipped, Carmichael did seem to start sweating a little as she tapped her pen four times and took a sip of water.

Morse Code is an alphabet that spells out words or messages using a series of short and long sounds, with the officer appearing to make four taps and spell out H.

Carmichael again set alarm bells ringing whens he cut off Hastings at the end of the interview following his knockout question about Osborne being H.

Cutting off the AC-12 head’s question, she declared that Jo was being charged with ‘perverting course of justice and misfeasance in public office’.

Also during the interview, Jo told her version of what happened during the shootout with Ryan Pilkington.  

Jo Davidson told the other officers that it wasn’t Kate who killed the bent cop, but her using Kate’s gun. 

Even when Carmichael pointed out that the forensic evidence pointed to Kate being the shooter, Jo had an answer saying gunshot residue must have been absorbed by Kate’s sleeve as she fired and insisting that she killed Ryan.

Carmichael was later seen talking to Kate as she finished up her own interview and teasing that she didn’t believe Davidson’s version of events.

She said: ‘Two shots to the chest, like a firearms trained officer. Davidson’s not firearms trained is she? But you are though aren’t you Kate?’

Although sticking to tradition and raising yet more questions, Line of Duty fans at least got to experience some relief by discovering Kate’s fate early on in the show.  

Taking to Twitter to share their joy when Kate was seen alive, one wrote: ‘So relieved Kate Fleming lived to see another day #lineofduty #lineofduty6.’ 

Another said: ‘Well first of all Kate is alive!! Yipeee. Then wow that a shot Kate! Too good of an ending for Ryan but fair play to the actor brilliant baddie.’ 

A different viewer wrote: ‘Kate is alive, a firearms officer and it turns out a dab hand at handbrake turns. Icon. #LineOfDuty.’

Another commented: ‘Meanwhile, it’s a mixed bag for Kate. She’s alive!! But she’s hit an all-time low in police custody grey jersey.’ 

After fleeing the crime scene, Kate and Jo head to Steve’s house and take his car because he and Kate have access to each other’s homes ‘for emergencies’.

In order to buy her trust after just leading her to be murdered, Jo takes Kate’s gun and touches it so that her prints are on the weapon – and it looks like she killed Ryan. 

While many were simply happy that Kate had survived another episode, other viewers were confused as to why Kate ran.

It casted doubt in some viewer’s minds over her intentions, as they couldn’t understand why she would run if she lawfully killed Ryan.

One viewer said: ‘Does anyone understand why Kate ran? I really can’t think why.’ 

Another said: ‘I still don’t get why Jo and Kate ran? #LineOfDuty.’ 

In agreement, another said: ‘Ok, can anyone explain why Kate and Jo ran in the first place? Everyone knew Ryan was dodgy and it was self defence? #LineOfDuty.’

Her actions even left some wondering if she could be the illusive ‘H’.

One person said: ‘Why am I low-key thinking that Kate could be H? It’s low-key weird that they ran.’ 

Elsewhere during the show viewers were lead to believe that corrupt officer James Thurwell was dead following a raid in Spain.

Shaky footage from a night vision camera showed Spanish police breaking into his house and finding two bodies – of a man and woman. 

However some experienced viewers refused to believe wholeheartedly in this new update, with many suggesting it could be a ruse especially as actor James Nesbitt was only introduced last week and his death would mean a very quick cameo.