The cops who investigate sex crimes slowly become the thing they hunt. No heroes, just humans.
Season 5 • Episode 7
LatestRobinson and Cole are trailing a suspect whom they discover has involvement with a major drugs and prostitution racket, but are shocked when they find his boss having dinner with Lorraine. Vickers is desperate to use Johnstone's relationship with the pimp for his own ends when he realises if publicly known, it would have a deleterious impact on Vice, and is determined to sacrifice her while there's still time. As he strikes a deal with the pimp, Robinson unknowingly sends Johnstone undercover to gather information. Meanwhile, Morgan's relationship with Vickers becomes treacherous, and Robinson is quickly catching up. Determined to nail Vickers to the wall, Morgan lodges a sexual harassment complaint.
The Vice is an ITV police drama about the Metropolitan Police Vice Unit. Spanning five short series from 1999 and 2003, it follows the London Metropolitan police force's vice squad, where prostitution, underage sex, and such organised crime are regular occurrences. Most episodes end where the main villain is caught but often not in a 'naturally' concluded way expected from other TV dramas, and often ending with more unanswered questions than answered. Leader DI Pat Chappel struggles to manage the balance between his private and professional lives — as do the rest of the team. Working in the seedy underworld leads to a continual dilemma — the tension between the Vice Squad and vice-related crimes runs throughout the series and gives the show a rich viewing experience. The line of the team staying on the right side of the law is often blurred, as almost every member at different points submits briefly or permanently to the dubious temptations, sometimes with drastic consequences.
Acting
Tim Pigott-Smith's slow-burn collapse as the compromised boss.
Writing
Episodes end messy—no tidy justice, just exhaustion.
Direction
Grimy London locations that reek of authenticity.
Trivia, insights & behind the scenes
Pre-dates Line of Duty's moral maze but shares its DNA—this was British TV's first real attempt at cops as compromised institutions, not heroes.
Caroline Catz later starred in Doc Martin—imagine Cheryl Hutchins diagnosing your hemorrhoids. The range is criminal.
GB
