Vera - Season 12 Episode 3 Blue
Overview: Joel Kingston is a copper’s copper from a respected and notable police family but when he is found dead, floating in a park lake, DCI Vera Stanhope (Brenda Blethyn) finds herself investigating both sides of the thin blue line in order to find his killer. A complex family dynamic, tensions at work, and brushes with the underworld, paint a dark and complex picture. Joel was there to serve and protect but did his stubborn commitment to justice at any price lead to his death? Or, was he killed to stop him revealing a secret that would destroy someone’s life? Vera steps on toes and ruffles a few police feathers as she searches for answers as to why PC Joel Kingston is no longer on the beat.
Comment
This series would have been a lot more likeable were it not for a thread of, at times, waspish, establishment political correctness. Dear old working class bobby Vera isn't quite what she seems. In spite of her salt of the earth pretensions, she's a vehicle for some often pretty blatant establishment rhetoric. In one instance she scolds two hard up young boys for illegally sub letting their flat. Vera opines about the the "poor tax man" not getting his cut. All of which, ignores the abject poverty in the UK and the incredible waste of public money, on things like military spending. On the upside this series is competently produced and capably acted. Stories are your standard Brit crime fare. Nothing special but moderately watchable. In summary, "Vera" would have worked a lot better without the establishment pandering but still has enough on offer to represent a reasonable watch.