Line of Duty episode 2: Background detail gives away Kate Fleming revelation

Intriguing moment occurs at the 24.40 mark

The latest episode of Line of Duty revealed a big plot point on a computer screen in the background.

In the second instalment of Jed Mercurio’s crime drama, which is currently on its sixth series, the net began to close in on DCI Joanne Davidson (Kelly Macdonald) as AC-12 continued to investigate her.

Meanwhile, this episode saw the return of Ryan Pilkington (Gregory Piper), a character who was first introduced to the show as a young boy delivering burner phones for the “balaclava gang” in the first series.

The young corrupt copper has replaced PC Farida Jatri (Anneika Rose) as part of the investigation into the death of journalist Gail Vella.

In the first series, Ryan almost cut off DC Steve Arnott’s fingers, but failed to go through with the act at the last moment. He is shown hiding from Martin Compston’s character when AC-12 enters Davidson’s unit.

It was because of Steve’s kidnapping that DI Kate Fleming (Vicky McClure) interviewed Ryan years before, and upon being introduced to him in this episode, she remembers him from somewhere, even asking him if she’s worked with him before.

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From that moment, viewers were waiting for Kate to remember who Ryan actually is – and while that moment didn’t occur in this episode, a background detail revealed that Kate knows he’s not to be trusted.

When AC-12 arrives for a second time to serve Joanne with a Regulation 15 notice, the camera cuts to Kate. Look closely at her computer screen, though, and you’ll see that she has pulled up a file on Ryan.

What his file says is unknown – it’s likely that all of Ryan’s crimes have been scratched from his record – but this reveals that Kate clearly knows he’s not to be trusted.

Background detail gives away future ‘Line of Duty’ plot revelation (Twitter)

It was Twitter user @ToniiWilliamsox who spotted the detail, with fans heaping praise upon her for doing so.

“What a spot. Thought you’d edited it, but been back and watched it again. Kudos,” one viewer wrote, with another thanking her for “restoring faith in Kate”.

This all adds to the theory that Kate alerted Joanne to AC-12’s investigation to gain her trust, and that she’s biding her time to gain intel for her old mates, Steve and Superintendant Ted Hastings (Adrian Dunbar).

Meanwhile, fans were overjoyed to hear Hastings say his now iconic Line of Duty phrase for the first time this series.

Line of Duty continues Sundays at 9pm on BBC One. Read our review of the show’s second episode here.