Line of Duty fans relieved as major character survives tense stand-off

This article contains spoilers for episode six of BBC drama

Line of Duty fans are expressing their relief after a major character survived the cliffhanger at the end of episode five.

Spoilers ahead for episode six of Line of Duty.

The fifth episode had ended with a tense shoot-out between DI Kate Fleming (Vicky McClure) and corrupt constable Ryan Pilkington (Gregory Piper).

As the screen faded to black, all viewers heard was two gunshots, leaving many worried that Fleming – one of the show’s beloved central trio – had been killed off.

However, in episode six (Sunday 25 April), viewers were relieved to learn that Fleming had survived the altercation after managing to shoot Pilkington dead first, with two bullets to the chest.

“So relieved Kate Fleming lived to see another day,” tweeted one fan.

“Kate is alive, a firearms officer and it turns out a dab hand at handbrake turns. Icon,” gushed another.

A third said: “At least Kate is alive, I can breathe again!”

Many viewers were confused, however, as to why Fleming fled the scene with Jo Davidson (Kelly Macdonald) – who had lured her there in the first place.

“Does anyone understand why Kate ran? I really can’t think why,” wrote one person.

“Ok,” added another, “can anyone explain why Kate and Jo ran in the first place? Everyone knew Ryan was dodgy and it was self-defence?”

As our Line of Duty writer Louis Chilton wrote in his recap: “The whole sequence slightly strains belief. Pilkington was suspected of serious corruption; it’s hard to imagine that his killing would have been seen as anything other than what it was: justifiable homicide committed in self-defence. Still, Fleming seems to fear she’s in the frame for murder.”

The Line of Duty season six finale airs on Sunday 2 May at 9pm on BBC One.