Blue Lights

I binge watched over the weekend. Brilliant. But what an eye opener 😱. It’s not for the faint hearted

I have watched the whole series and thought it one of the best things I've watched in a long time.
You do wonder why anyone would want to be a Police Office in NI.
Great characters and storylines and very sad and shocking in places.
I recommend it.

An excellent series, which gives a chilling insight into the unique difficulties and dangers of Policing in N.I. Well-developed characterisation, convincingly acted, with a credible plot and a satisfying conclusion. Sadly, in the real world, history appears to be repeating itself. Will they never learn?

It is terrible to hear that the violence of previous years has started up again. I lived in Belfast during the troubles and had only admiration for the police and the terrible job they faced every day with threats of bombs and shootings.Can’t watch the series as it isn’t being shown yet here in Canada but I did see a bit of it on you tube and can’t wait for it to come here. I love any shows that feature NI, just finished Bloodlands with James Nesbitt, brilliant series and the best scenery. Made me want to come back for a visit this summer but now with the renewed threats I don’t think I will risk it. ☹️

We are really enjoying it, will finish it tonight. The character development is very good, and bringing in the story about Grace's son was interesting; those of us on the outside think only of IRA vs DUP, Catholic vs Protestant, and forget that racism in what is a very white city also rears its ugly head. I would like to think that those in government who are so casual about harming the GFA have watched it. The back story of Officer Gerry and Happy was so sad, and there must be thousands of people who have also suffered life changing events as they did; some survive better than others.

I agree it was gripping although a difficult watch at times. The knee capping scene was sickening. A lot of what’s currently going on in N.Ireland doesn’t make the daily news but I did see a news item this week detailing the current escalation in paramilitary violence. Much of it related to drug gangs and similar to what we’ve seen in Blue Lights.

I hope there will be another series. I felt the final episode was too rushed and I’d have liked it spread over another episode.

I can see how there'll be another series. It's very good.

I finished the sixth episode last night. I found it gripping to watch. I liked the character development and the way working in country with such recent and historical levels of violence affected everybody.

For some reason, other than the violence and threat, I only watched episode 1 and a few minutes of episode 2. Just couldn’t face it.

We watched all episodes over 3 consecutive nights. I found it extremely good and more compelling than Line of Duty.

Sub culture!

It was absolutely chilling. I suppose it underlined the horrible sub life underpinning life in Belfast. Policing nightmare.

Well I won't be watching any more - the scene where parents sent their son out of the door knowing he would be deliberately "kneecapped" is not something I have any wish to see in my own home - it woke me during the night - it was horrifying.

I enjoyed the first episode and fully agree with Colin's code!

I first visited a friend in Belfast in 1979 and regularly over about 20 years. Northern Ireland is a beautiful place but the entrenched views of some continue to cause danger

It is Iam64 very little appears in the news so many people in the UK have no idea. I had a very naive expectation when I first visited 20 odd years ago away from the burgeoning tourist areas. My eyes were quickly opened wide to a way of life I had no idea existed.

I suspect the paramilitaries are still heavily involved in organised crime. Then we have the younger generation being groomed to join whichever dissident group fits their distorted view of their family history or belief systems.
It’s desperately sad.

Thanks for the update
My OHs grandson is in NI, rural north of Belfast so should be clear of trouble

Katie59

I saw the MI5 upgrading of threat level I thought the Sein Fein increased political influence would lessen the threat

Would someone in NI explain what is happening.

Don't really understand it myself. Younger IRA born after the troubles want to kill police and their families and are supported by some old guard but most people including Sinn Fein don't want this. I can't see why anyone would want to kill police but these people think in a different way to normal citizens.
To confuse things further a drug war has broken out between 2 rival groups of thugs and the police don't have the numbers to watch them all as they are attacking and petrol bombing the homes of gang members who have upset them. Low lives.
Our local school has had to cancel it's concert as these men are gathering nearby.

On episode two now. How brave to be a police officer there.

I started watching this last night and binged three episodes. It's really good.. I really feel for the young probationers.

I hadn’t appreciated that the day to day police carried guns. It shows the level of violence that must still be around there.

Not nice

I saw the MI5 upgrading of threat level I thought the Sein Fein increased political influence would lessen the threat

Would someone in NI explain what is happening.

I watched episode 1 last night, it’s good, well written, good cast. I’ll watch another tonight

Accurate tanith in certain areas. But much improved from years ago.