MovieChat Forums > Line of Duty (2012) Discussion > Isn't the lead character supposed to be ...

Isn't the lead character supposed to be somewhat likable?

posted 8 years ago by thewolfchild
6 replies | jump to latest

Or at least have some charisma or some other kind of appeal? Take House for example...he's kind of a jerk. A miserable, misanthropic curmudgeon, but lovable just the same.

This guy, DS Steve Arnott however, is just an obnoxious douche. As far as protagonists go, he's just about the worst choice I've seen in awhile. There is nothing likable about this character what-so-ever and even the actor playing him is annoying.

Shame, because this otherwise seems like a pretty good show.

Wolf

"I Drank What?!" - Socrates

[–] GavinHeisenberg 8 years ago

They only time I didn't like Steve is when he ratted out Lindsay in the Series 2 Finale.
I personally would have have let her go. She was damaged. Her mum just died. Who cares if she stashed some money away?
You could see how Lindsay wasn't a bad person. He should have broken the rules for her

Apart from that I like Steve the little is a hard worker who is great at his job and it is nice to see a little guy pull all these women

[–] thewolfchild 8 years ago

Lindsay was one of the most interesting characters I've seen on tv in quite some time. Both well written and directed and the actress did a great job. I couldn't decide if I was rooting for her or against her and it seemed to change every episode. Her story had a lot of angles and her character had a lot of depth, she was both frustrating and enjoyable to watch.

I'm looking forward to more seasons.

Wolf

"I Drank What?!" - Socrates

[–] HarveyManfredSinJohn 8 years ago

I like Steve as well. In fact, it's only the way he pulls all those women, despite being such a little guy, that annoys me and makes him less empathetic (still, at least Lindsay put him in his place). But he's conscientious, decent, hardworking, dogged, and rarely cocky or smarmy. I like that he doesn't act like he thinks he's the smartest guy in the room. Instead, he comes across as an underdog whose honesty and lack of guile occasionally gets the better of him.

[–] movie80 8 years ago

I like Steve too

[–] trazey34 8 years ago

I've thought the same the whole series! He's such a smug little prat LOL the 1st series i was hoping he would get away, and the 2nd series i was hoping Lindsay would get away haha the entire AC-12 gang aren't terribly likeable but that makes it more fun, there's no "easy" good guy/bad guy (except The Caddy of course!)

Someone who disagrees with you is NOT a hater 😉

[–] Rocky15 (509) 5 years ago

I saw an interview once where the actor, Martin Compston, said he purposely made Steve a “bit of a tosser” because he didn’t want him to be immediately likeable, he said he plays him like that arse-kissing kid at school or in the office who always sucked up to the teachers or boss.

I think Steve actually grows more likeable as the series goes on, but is still a prat every now and then.