yes, I did see the next episode all the way through finally. still think he went overboard in this episode, but overall, I'm enjoying this series and have started reading the books it's based on.

I agree with you on that.
I just thought I'd point out the other thing, because quite often people don't always se all episodes or at least not in order, so they might not have known about his motive.

He's still a massive jerk though, so up himself. She saved his life and he still calls her by her surname all the time, even in private.

Hopefully by now you'll both have seen the next again episode and found out ..
Just in case not, or others are reading who don't want spoiled
we discover that the boss wanted her sacked and Lynley recommended her demotion in order to save her job. He does explain it, eventually, despite Helen urging him to do it much earlier.

I just saw these two episodes and I agree in fact, Lynley was a giant jerk in this episode. I mean, he (and the child he was holding) wouldn't even be alive if she hadn't shot the other officer with the flare gun. but in this episode, he almost seemed like he was trying to drive Havers out of the police force the way he kept jumping on her and then (eventually) taking credit for her detective work. perhaps something comes to light later that sheds new light on this, but until then, it really does seem odd how he's such an ass to her in this episode. and then, to make matters worse, in the very next episode, at the beginning, she tells him she's resigning and he seems surprised as if he had nothing to do with her feeling like she had to do it.