# Dept. Q - a British crime thriller television series \[Open Spoilers\] **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Tags:** tv-shows-scripted\ **Created:** [June 11, 2025, 7:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dept-q-a-british-crime-thriller-television-series-open-spoilers/1019458 "2025-06-11T07:01:40Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 4
**Author:** ![needscoffee](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/needscoffee/32/1076_2.png) [@needscoffee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/needscoffee)\ **Post date:** [June 19, 2025, 2:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dept-q-a-british-crime-thriller-television-series-open-spoilers/1019458/61 "2025-06-19T02:04:03Z")
> [@DSeid](#): > > But _rare_. _None_ of an iris turning blue that I can find. Nor can I imagine a mechanism that would fit. I’ve truly seen it several times. It was explained to me that the pigment gets resorbed, so what’s left is the blue. ---
**Author:** ![OttoDaFe](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ottodafe/32/356_2.png) [@OttoDaFe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/OttoDaFe)\ **Post date:** [June 19, 2025, 2:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dept-q-a-british-crime-thriller-television-series-open-spoilers/1019458/62 "2025-06-19T02:14:48Z")
> [@Elmer\_J.Fudd](#): > > Does anybody have a theory about how Akram was so sure about Meritt being still alive? … We’re still in the dark about Akram’s police background in Syria, in part thanks to an all-too-convenient mobile ringing. His way of handling potential witnesses suggests he was a Ba’ath-ist interrogator, though it’s doubtful such would be granted asylum. Just as a WAG, he may have been a profiler (or someone along those lines) who absorbed enough from the cases he worked on that he developed an ability to get a sense of the case from its notes. Which is a theory that’s worth — at most — what you’re paying for it. Maybe we’ll find out more in season two. Speaking of which, while there doesn’t seem to be any official announcement, Netflix did put the series into the Emmy pool. While that’s no guarantee, it would be very unusual to axe the series after that. ---
**Author:** ![MrDibble](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mrdibble/32/114_2.png) [@MrDibble](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MrDibble)\ **Post date:** [June 19, 2025, 12:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dept-q-a-british-crime-thriller-television-series-open-spoilers/1019458/63 "2025-06-19T12:15:15Z")
> [@OttoDaFe](#): > > Just as a WAG, he may have been a profiler (or someone along those lines) who absorbed enough from the cases he worked on that he developed an ability to get a sense of the case from its notes. That doesn’t really explain his practical proficiency with pressure points… ---
**Author:** ![DSeid](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dseid/32/20194_2.png) [@DSeid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DSeid)\ **Post date:** [June 19, 2025, 2:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dept-q-a-british-crime-thriller-television-series-open-spoilers/1019458/64 "2025-06-19T14:32:22Z")
> [@OttoDaFe](#): > > We’re still in the dark about Akram’s police background in Syria And hopefully always will be. We are to imagine he is a former Syrian James Bond. Actual details to the story would diminish our shadowy backstory and he’d never tell it. ---
**Author:** ![Frodo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/frodo/32/302_2.png) [@Frodo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Frodo)\ **Post date:** [June 19, 2025, 2:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dept-q-a-british-crime-thriller-television-series-open-spoilers/1019458/65 "2025-06-19T14:48:19Z")
In the end Akram and Rose did more to solve the case than Morck I think, for all his bluster and showmanship. ---
**Author:** ![Elmer\_J.Fudd](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/elmer_j.fudd/32/1211_2.png) [@Elmer\_J.Fudd](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elmer_J.Fudd)\ **Post date:** [June 19, 2025, 3:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dept-q-a-british-crime-thriller-television-series-open-spoilers/1019458/66 "2025-06-19T15:05:35Z")
That’s the first thing I noted after finishing the season. A refreshing change from most shows of this ilk which all feature some singularly brilliant Sherlock in the lead. ---
**Author:** ![OttoDaFe](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ottodafe/32/356_2.png) [@OttoDaFe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/OttoDaFe)\ **Post date:** [June 19, 2025, 3:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dept-q-a-british-crime-thriller-television-series-open-spoilers/1019458/67 "2025-06-19T15:11:06Z")
I actually intended to contrast the two facets of his character (his treatment of witnesses/suspects and his ability to “feel” a case). Obviously didn’t do it very well; _mea culpa_ and thanks for pointing that out. ---
**Author:** ![MrDibble](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mrdibble/32/114_2.png) [@MrDibble](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MrDibble)\ **Post date:** [June 19, 2025, 3:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dept-q-a-british-crime-thriller-television-series-open-spoilers/1019458/68 "2025-06-19T15:26:14Z")
But he also wasn’t just a bumbling idiot - he did his bit, I’d say. ---
**Author:** ![Frodo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/frodo/32/302_2.png) [@Frodo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Frodo)\ **Post date:** [June 19, 2025, 3:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dept-q-a-british-crime-thriller-television-series-open-spoilers/1019458/69 "2025-06-19T15:27:28Z")
Yes, and he also gets points for (grudgingly) organizing the others’ work. ---
**Author:** ![rocking\_chair](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rocking_chair/32/2918_2.png) [@rocking\_chair](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/rocking_chair)\ **Post date:** [June 19, 2025, 7:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dept-q-a-british-crime-thriller-television-series-open-spoilers/1019458/70 "2025-06-19T19:19:14Z")
Started on the books now. ---
**Author:** ![RealityChuck](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/realitychuck/32/195_2.png) [@RealityChuck](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RealityChuck)\ **Post date:** [June 19, 2025, 10:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dept-q-a-british-crime-thriller-television-series-open-spoilers/1019458/71 "2025-06-19T22:06:26Z")
> [@DSeid](#): > > > [@OttoDaFe](#): > > > > We’re still in the dark about Akram’s police background in Syria > > And hopefully always will be. We are to imagine he is a former Syrian James Bond. Actual details to the story would diminish our shadowy backstory and he’d never tell it. Exactly. Sometimes not knowing is better drama. ---
**Author:** ![Tamerlane](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tamerlane/32/7602_2.png) [@Tamerlane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tamerlane)\ **Post date:** [June 19, 2025, 11:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dept-q-a-british-crime-thriller-television-series-open-spoilers/1019458/72 "2025-06-19T23:03:58Z")
> [@MrDibble](#): > > Thanks for that. I was put off by the earlier comments, but will probably watch it now. Did you end up finding it a tolerable watch? An acquaintance of mine who finds abuse a bit tough to watch in a show themselves was wondering if they should give it a go and I gave a highly qualified yes with a brief slightly spoilery explanation of how far I thought it went. But it definitely is one of those grim, occasionally violently bloody UK police procedurals that won’t be for everyone. ---
**Author:** ![needscoffee](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/needscoffee/32/1076_2.png) [@needscoffee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/needscoffee)\ **Post date:** [June 19, 2025, 11:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dept-q-a-british-crime-thriller-television-series-open-spoilers/1019458/73 "2025-06-19T23:30:48Z")
> [@DSeid](#): > > And hopefully always will be. We are to imagine he is a former Syrian James Bond. My impression is that he’s a former interrogator and even a torturer if need be. Maybe worked for the wrong regime back in the day. ---
**Author:** ![OttoDaFe](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ottodafe/32/356_2.png) [@OttoDaFe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/OttoDaFe)\ **Post date:** [June 19, 2025, 11:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dept-q-a-british-crime-thriller-television-series-open-spoilers/1019458/74 "2025-06-19T23:33:35Z")
> [@Frodo](#): > > In the end Akram and Rose did more to solve the case than Morck I think, for all his bluster and showmanship > [@Elmer\_J.Fudd](#): > > That’s the first thing I noted after finishing the season. A refreshing change from most shows of this ilk which all feature some singularly brilliant Sherlock in the lead. I’d like to add Hardy to the mix. If nothing else, were it not for him Merritt would have been a pile of goo on the floor of the chamber. Okay, I exaggerate: Morck did notice the “Explosive Decompression” warning on the airlock controls so he wasn’t completely oblivious. But fiddling with the control panel could have had unpleasant results. ---
**Author:** ![needscoffee](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/needscoffee/32/1076_2.png) [@needscoffee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/needscoffee)\ **Post date:** [June 19, 2025, 11:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dept-q-a-british-crime-thriller-television-series-open-spoilers/1019458/75 "2025-06-19T23:36:22Z")
> [@OttoDaFe](#): > > I’d like to add Hardy to the mix. Yes, definitely! ---
**Author:** ![Maserschmidt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/maserschmidt/32/18829_2.png) [@Maserschmidt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Maserschmidt)\ **Post date:** [June 20, 2025, 2:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dept-q-a-british-crime-thriller-television-series-open-spoilers/1019458/76 "2025-06-20T02:43:38Z")
I’m watching again, this time with my wife on her first go. Question: once they theorized that Merrit would have been kidnapped from the ferry, why couldn’t the cameras pick up the license plates of all the vehicles? ---
**Author:** ![Elmer\_J.Fudd](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/elmer_j.fudd/32/1211_2.png) [@Elmer\_J.Fudd](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elmer_J.Fudd)\ **Post date:** [June 20, 2025, 4:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dept-q-a-british-crime-thriller-television-series-open-spoilers/1019458/77 "2025-06-20T04:57:50Z")
The bad guy worked on the ferry so he had no vehicle aboard. ---
**Author:** ![MrDibble](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mrdibble/32/114_2.png) [@MrDibble](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MrDibble)\ **Post date:** [June 20, 2025, 4:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dept-q-a-british-crime-thriller-television-series-open-spoilers/1019458/78 "2025-06-20T04:59:20Z")
> [@Tamerlane](#): > > Did you end up finding it a tolerable watch? Yes. I found _Bodies_, another recent Netflix show, much more disturbing, and I managed that too. As long as the characters are interesting and the plot’s OK, I’m willing to go along with the stuff that squicks me. ---
**Author:** ![Maserschmidt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/maserschmidt/32/18829_2.png) [@Maserschmidt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Maserschmidt)\ **Post date:** [June 20, 2025, 9:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dept-q-a-british-crime-thriller-television-series-open-spoilers/1019458/79 "2025-06-20T09:49:37Z")
> [@Elmer\_J.Fudd](#): > > The bad guy worked on the ferry so he had no vehicle aboard. And his mom was aboard with no vehicle either? Because she calls out to Merritt, and when she turns to answer is when she gets bagged. And was it clear how they got her off the ferry? ---
**Author:** ![Shoeless](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/shoeless/32/7099_2.png) [@Shoeless](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shoeless)\ **Post date:** [June 20, 2025, 11:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dept-q-a-british-crime-thriller-television-series-open-spoilers/1019458/80 "2025-06-20T11:56:02Z")
> [@needscoffee](#): > > > [@DSeid](#): > > > > And hopefully always will be. We are to imagine he is a former Syrian James Bond. > > My impression is that he’s a former interrogator and even a torturer if need be. Maybe worked for the wrong regime back in the day. Oh, kind of like Sayid in “LOST”. Yeah, that makes sense. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dept-q-a-british-crime-thriller-television-series-open-spoilers/1019458.md?page=3) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dept-q-a-british-crime-thriller-television-series-open-spoilers/1019458.md?page=5)