DS Steve Arnott is transferred to AC-12 after the shooting of Karim Ali. He joins the investigation into DCI Tony Gates, while Gates covers up a hit and run by Jackie Laverty.
This episode provides examples of:
- Early-Installment Weirdness: Due to concerns over the representation of the police during this first series, the Met didn't provide any advisors on accuracy, something that would change with Series 2. As such, the writing tends to be more inaccurate than it would be later; for example, in "A Disastrous Affair", AC-12 interviews DCI Tony Gates to serve him with a yellow notice for failing to report a gratuity. In real life, they would have had to serve him a Reg 9 and give him time to prepare and get his Federation rep, as they do with DCI Huntley in series 4.
- Storm in a Teacup: Exploited and discussed. Ted convinces Steve to make up a fuss about Gates' unwillingness to fill some forms about an innocuous fault —free breakfast— just so Gates thinks they are grasping at straws and not actually onto his actual crimes.Ted: He’s an arrogant so-and-so, isn’t he? I mean, a player like Gates, he knows it’s against the rules and regulations not to declare a gratuity, so what does it say about him that he doesn’t even bother his arse to fill in the form?
Steve: Well, with respect, what’s a free breakfast got to do with investigating Gates’ crime figures?
Ted: Well, sooner or later, he’s gonna know we’re onto him. This way, he thinks it’s just a Storm in a Teacup. Or should that be a coffee cup? I’ll give him laughing all over his face at us. His guard’s down. That’s how we’re going to get him, Steve. - Taken Off the Case: Improper planning and execution of a raid an Islamic terrorists leads to Arnott's team shooting an innocent man. Arnott won't accept it being covered up and owns his own negligence, so he's transferred to the Internal Affairs unit.
