The Code – As the episode opens, PC Grace Ellis (Sian Brooke) is working from her laptop when she turns to see Cal Ellis (Matt Carver) holding her gun. She demands to know what he’s doing with it. He claims it was in the bathroom. She pleads with him to never touch her gun again. He tells her to not leave it lying around again. She inspects underneath her vehicle before leaving.

Grace and her partner, Stevie Neil (Martin McCann) are in a high-speed chase when the suspect’s vehicle veers off the road. Her partner orders her to cover him with a rifle as they approach the overturned vehicle. The suspect, Gordy Mackle (Dane Whyte O’Hara) pleads for their assistance in getting out. Stevie cuts the seatbelt to free Gordy before Grace arrests him for stealing a vehicle while reading his Miranda rights. When she asks if he understands, he tells her to suck his “cock.”

Jen Robinson (Hannah McClean) asks Tommy Foster (Nathan Braniff) if he has to repeat the firearm test. She says officers can be kicked off the force for a mishap during the probationary period. Annie Conlon (Katherine Devlin) assures her that Tommy will be okay. He asks if Colin’s Code served on the force. Jen tells him that he’ll find out. Annie admits Jen makes her want to vomit and it will be difficult not to punch her while on probation. She claims Helen’s mum is why she is on the fast-track program. She is surprised to discover he is also on the fast-track program.

PC Gerard “Gerry” Cliff (Richard Dormer) pulls a vehicle over. When Tommy approaches the vehicle, the driver admits to not having his driver’s license. Gerry runs a license plate to discover there are no records on file for the vehicle. The driver, Mark Blundell (Stefan Boehm), and MI5 Rachel (Clare Gray) refuse to emerge from the vehicle. When Gerry apologizes to Tommy, Blundell tells him to get his act together. He later informs Tommy that they were undercover cops.

Removing his name tag, Stevie says it isn’t a good idea to wear it here. She removes her name tag when Gerry joins them before entering the Carrick View apartment complex. Grace and Stevie speak with Angela Mackle (Valene Kane) while a group of boys on bicycles taunt Tommy and Gerry. Grace informs Angela of Gordy being arrested after crashing a stolen vehicle before asking if she is familiar with the owner, James McIntyre (John Lynch) who is involved in organized crime. Grace leaves her business card in case she wants to talk. Angela tells them that Gordy has been hanging around The Palace. Their cruisers are pelted with glass bottles.

Stevie asks Grace why she left her business card. She promises to help her if she calls. He asks about her former job. She tells him that she was a social worker. PS Sandra Cliff (Andi Osho) tells them that Gordy was released after James claimed to have given him permission to drive it. He is listed on the insurance policy. She sarcastically asks if they were supposed to put Gordy in solitary confinement before suggesting they be arrested for wasting time.

PS Helen McNally (Joanne Crawford) informs the officers of Gordy crashing James McIntyre’s vehicle. He is now an Op Gulliver nominal like James. She orders the officers to make life uncomfortable for Gordy. Grace adds that he has been hanging around The Palace. Jen asks if she can stay to prep a file for Crown Court. McNally denies her request but David “Jonty” Johnston (Jonathan Harden) approves it. Jen has a smirk on her face as the briefing ends. McNally threatens to fail Tommy for his poor marksmanship, Grace for making a false arrest, and Annie for coming to work with a hangover. Annie quietly mutters Jen a “bi**h.”

Jonty tells Grace that he received her email that reads, “Hope I’m not being too forward but I was wondering if you fancied dinner or a drink some evening….” She denies sending it. He suggests she sent it or a colleague accessed her email after she left it open. Gerry sent the email.

McNally tells Annie that Colin isn’t a dead police officer. She grills Annie with questions before they stop Gordy and James McIntyre’s son, Mo McIntyre (Michael Shea). Under Mo’s advice, Gordy refuses to be frisked. McNally calls for backup when Mo punches Annie. She tackles Mo to the ground. He gets her a chokehold. Annie stares at McNally struggling to handcuff Mo when backup arrives.

Grace tells Stevie that The Police are a step-down for children coming out of care. Kristy (Orla Graham) reluctantly opens the door for them.

Mo alleges McNally utilized excessive force against him and Annie assaulted him by causing him to fear for his life. Jonty informs them of his plan to file a complaint with the Police Ombudsman. He guarantees they will eventually get Mo. Annie tells McNally that she froze. McNally assures her it isn’t that unusual.

Joseph (Nabil Eloushabi) complains about Stevie and Grace visiting the Mackle home which is under surveillance. He orders Jonty to abandon the call to the Mackle house. Stevie receives the call to abort while Grace tries to defuse the situation. When she refuses to leave, he calls in backup and contemplates grabbing his gun but doesn’t. Jonty tells McNally to abort the call. She says it’s no longer an option because it’s an Article Two Right To Life. Tommy, Annie, McNally, and Jen are dispatched to the scene. Stevie looks around to see James and Mo approaching when a shot is fired into his cruiser. Grace tries to calm Angela down when backup arrives.

Tommy, McNally, and Annie get out of their cruisers. When Annie approaches Mo, he spits in her face. James intervenes by punching him. Grace convinces Angela to drop the knives. McNally orders Jen to get out of her cruiser but she refuses. Grace comforts Angela when Stevie rushes in to arrest her for possession of dangerous weapons.

Joseph orders Jonty to release Angela and keep the police away from Carrick View apartments.

Stevie admits to being impressed by how Grace convinced Angela to put down her weapon. She tells him that she meant what she said about helping her. He warns that trouble will follow her if she keeps it up.

Annie tells Tommy that Colin was on probation when he and Gerry were patrolling near Carrick View apartments on Halloween. Kids played a prank on them by throwing firecrackers under their cruiser. Thinking it was an attack, Gerry flees the area. After pooping himself, Colin resigned.

Grace picks up Angela after she is released. Angela refuses to let her pull into the apartment complex. Grace promises to make some calls before pulling away. Undercover cops, Rachel and Mark follow her home.

 

Blue Lights Synopsis

Tommy, Annie, and Grace are new recruits for the Bangor police. Grace makes an arrest following a high-speed chase involving a stolen vehicle. The charges are later dropped when the owner, James McIntyre reports giving Gordy permission to drive the vehicle. McIntyre is part of a crime syndicate. Later, they’re dispatched to Carrick View apartments where Gordy’s mum, Angela is wielding two knives. MI5 orders Jonty to abort the call but Grace refuses to leave Angela. Tommy, Annie, and McNally act as a backup while Jen remains in her cruiser.

Gordy is involved with the McIntyre gang. James’ son, Mo assaults McNally and Annie. He alleges police brutality to get his charges dropped.

MI5 orders Angela’s release. Grace picks her up on her way home. Angela refuses to let her pull into the complex. Undercover cops, Mark and Rachel follow her home.

 

Blue Lights Review

The writing is at times weak and unrealistic. Some scenes add nothing to the story. The cinematography starts out a little shaky, becoming smoother within the next few scenes. The acting is strong.

The show has an agenda that doesn’t put Bangor youth in a good light. What was the point of the officers removing their name tags? Cops sign their reports at the end of the day. Plus, any arresting officer would have to testify against the suspect(s).

Grace is dedicated to helping Angela but her actions could have ended badly for her partner. She and her son are on McIntyre’s radar.

The pilot episode deserves a 6. Get more Blue Lights recaps here. Support Reel Mockery by clicking the link. Our onsite advertising builds online awareness for e-commerce retailers.

Blue Lights Cast

• Cal Ellis (Matt Carver)
• PC Grace Ellis (Sian Brooke)
• Stevie Neil (Martin McCann)
• Gordy Mackle (Dana Whyte O’Hara)
• Tommy Foster (Nathan Braniff)
• Jen Robinson (Hannah McClean)
• PC Gerard “Gerry” Cliff (Richard Dormer)
• PS Helen McNally (Joanne Crawford)
• Angela Mackle (Valene Kane)
• James McIntyre (John Lynch)
• Moe McIntyre (Michael Shea)
• PS Sandra Cliff (Andi Osho)
• Aodhan McAllister (Matthew Forsythe)
• David “Jonty” Johnston (Jonathan Harden
• Annie (Katherine Devlin)
• Barney (Frankie McCafferty)
• Joseph (Nabil Elouahabi)

Where Was Blue Lights Filmed

Blue Lights, directed by Gilles Bannier, was filmed on set in Bangor and Belfast, Ireland.

Where To Watch Blue Lights

The show premiered on March 27, 2023, on BBC One. It will also be available on BBC iPlayer.