#barry stringer

The Bill » 6x69 - Win Some, Lose Some

Steve is so complicated, which is why I always enjoy him as a character even if I don’t necessarily like him. He freely uses homophobic slurs, but then he treats the gay gunman with real compassion. And it’s Barry who’s the nice guy, but he just treats the first call as a domestic, wanting to stay out of it, while Steve wants to dig further, like he would if it had been a woman who had made the call.

LOXTON: I don’t like it when people pull their phone sockets out. Makes me think they’ve got something to hide.

And look! It's Ray Steele playing a-cop-who-isn't-Ray-Steele!

GUNMAN: I know what blokes like you think about us. LOXTON: Live and let live, that’s my motto. GUNMAN: Oh yeah, as long as it’s not in public, eh? LOXTON: I’m no judge, David. GUNMAN: Oh no? LOXTON: You just see the uniform. GUNMAN: So? LOXTON: So to you I’m just another pig. GUNMAN: And what am I to you? LOXTON: To me, you’re just another bloke.

And I think that’s it, in a way. Steve doesn’t really think much of anyone, but he has a strong protective instinct for those he sees as needing it: children, dogs—even June, much to her dislike. The moment he sees that the gunman was the one who had needed protection in the relationship, that he’s been beaten by his partner, Steve’s whole demeanour changes. Because he has a strong sense of justice, but unfortunately it’s coloured by his (straight, white, male, ex-army) background, so sometimes he’s sexist or racist or homophobic because he needs everyone to live up to a warped set of standards that he can’t even meet himself.

LOVER: Would it help if I said sorry? GUNMAN: That’s easy to say. LOXTON: Not so easy to forgive.

He gives the gun to Steve and then goes to him for comfort. For Steve, that’s just an “it’s all right”, but he doesn’t shy away from the gay man crying on his shoulder. The issue is the emotion, not the sexuality. As I said: complicated.

STRINGER: ‘Ere, Sarge, is this true about Sergeant Roach? BOYDEN: Depends what you heard, Barry. STRINGER: Well, that he beat up a punter over some plonk. BOYDEN: *telling look* STRINGER: Blimey.

BURNSIDE: Look, I’ll do what I can. But you’re in it up to your neck this time, in case you hadn’t noticed. I mean, drinking on duty, telling porkies to the DCI, bringing the service into disrepute, etcetera, etcetera. And that’s just if Leonard doesn’t decide to press charges, for GBH or assault, or whatever. In which case, you’re looking at MS15. Possible suspension. The big house, maybe. And if you’re convicted. Well. Goodbye DS Roach. ROACH: Oh, and that won’t look so good for you, will it, Frank? Failure to supervise, and all that. BURNSIDE: Now, wait a minute. You lied about where you were going. ROACH: If only MS15 saw things that clearly. BURNSIDE: Don’t start playing that game with me, Ted. You’ll lose.

MONROE: Stamp and Quinnan have got the details of the other witnesses. If you want to talk to them. BURNSIDE: Do we? MONROE: I think that rather depends on what Mr Leonard says when he regains consciousness, don’t you? If he wants to press charges, Frank, there’s nothing I can do. BURNSIDE: Yeah, well, the less encouragement he gets the better, eh? MONROE: Look, I didn’t ask Ted to try to knock his brains out. If he wants to behave like that, it’s his lookout. BURNSIDE: Meaning you don’t care whether he gets his legs done or not. MONROE: Meaning, I’ll do what I can. Like there’s nothing on paper. So far.

MONROE: Look, so far I’ve bent over backwards for you. You’ve not been reported, you’ve not been arrested, and there’s nothing on paper. So do me a favour, sergeant, and act like a grown-up for once. ROACH: I always thought it was little boys who needed uniforms with shiny buttons to make them feel big, Inspector. MONROE: Really gets you, doesn’t it. Stuck at sergeant, forever. ROACH: I want to leave. MONROE: Tough. ROACH: Stop me. MONROE: You really are pathetic.

ROACH: Oh, by the way. Don’t bother with a party.

STRINGER: (To Cato) With all respect, Sir, it’s not about winning. We’re supposed to be on the same side.