Well, he is arrogant and choleric. But he does have a nice understated sense of humour from time to time. I can't say I find him that unlikeable. I have seen far, far worse.

Not seen this in ages. Watching a repeat now as there is nothing of much on tv tonight, as usual. I have to agree. I did not realise before how awful a character he was. Off putting. Good series though. About time we had something new that can compare to dramas as good as this.

Not sure if you'll see this but are you saying that the BBC is commercial free? That would sure be nice here. I'm jealous of you Brits. if you never had to put up with commercials, they are so long you almost forget what your watching. Might even make up for having to share walls with neighbours and love in tiny "flats" with garages so small they only fit over tiny car. (How do you guys keep your cars clean ?) Does everyone use car covers at night? That wouldn't work here, homeless would steal them to make sleeping bags or tents Jaguar and Aston Martin's are too nice to leave uncovered Do you have homeless or does the "council" pay your rent? in Must be nice having a Queen pay for everything for her subjects. And last question, why don't you use toothpaste and toothbrush, why won't the Queen pay for Dental care?

Yeah, he's a damaged, flawed, unlikable human being. Which the BBC is far better at portraying than advertiser-driven US TV.

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You're pretty much right.
He's driven and ignores all the niceties, and often enough the law. And he's what drives the show.
This isn't New Tricks.