| Cullen and Chandler Cullen and Chandler, Chandler and Cullen - what's the story? Friends, enemies, allies? Does Chandler owe Cullen or Cullen owe Chandler? Is it a Spock- Kirk friendship, a Blake-Avon fencing match or is it a Blair -Brown 'once were friends' scenario? They worked together at the West End and Cullen was Chandler's only personal appointment - that much we know but the rest is speculation. A darkling glance here, a nose to nose confrontation there, a request for company, a fond tone... these are a few of the hints dropped through the show. What do you think? Let us know via the new Guest Book. |
| I think that the *something* in Cullen's past is probably connected to Chandler in some way. Like Kacey, I think that maybe Chandler owes him a favour, but that Cullen, for whatever reason, doesn't want anyone to find out. Laurab |
| They have a close and complicated friendship and professional relationship. In one way or another Chandler owes Cullen for something - if only his support/good work in the past. He considers Alex to both a friend and a necessary ally but cannot ignore that Alex still has some power in their relationship, possibly more than a DI normally would. He will remind Alex of his position but at the same time must accept Cullen needs and deserves to be able to lead his people and do his job without too much interference. Cullen may consider Chandler to be a friend but he isn't so blind as to know that Chandler is not always as he may appear to be, his first loyalty is to himself but he will consider the needs of Cullen and anyone else if it is ultimately in his best interests. At times Alex may disagree with Chandler but he knows that he can achieve the most by either winning Chandler over or working within the limitations he is set. I think Alex enjoys working as a DI and accepts that having a Superintendent working over him is a necessary evil, in which case it is better to have the devil you know, especially when he owes you a few favours and you do know him so very well.. Chandler similarly trusts Cullen and although Cullen could probably damange his career if he wanted too (because he knows his secrets) he doesn't believe he ever will because it would hurt Cullen as well and their work relationship does work for them. Despite all the complexities of their relationship and the occassional disagreements they have both men know that they make a good team. Kacey |
| I have so many! Here's one - they've known each other since Chandler puppywalked a dripping wet Cullen many years ago. It was the making of both of them. More factually, it is obvious that Chandler is the dominant one in the relationship and it seems to me that Cullen would like more of his time and attention. Avon |
 |
 |
| I think Chandler is definitely the one owing the favour, and Alex has fostered the friendship for the sake of his career, but at the same time believes his superior is somewhat of a dimwit. "Don't fight it gov, keep the man sweet." Annie |
| Hmmmmm...toughie, this one... I'd say that something happened, maybe Cullen saved Chandler's life, but he was only able to do so because he had been doing something illegal at the time, or maybe he covered up for something that Chandler did, and copped the flak instead. Either way, it means that the two have a certain amount of respect for one another, though Cullen won't let himself be manipulated by Chandler, and vice-versa, though often Chandler doesn't seem to notice that Cullen is attempting to manipulate him BH |
| Chandler, Cullen are great characters. Jane |
| ... at first it seemed as though Cullen was just Chandlers stooge. It now seems that he likes to be a neutral figure, so he is trusted by Chandler yet does not incite the hate of the rest of CID and is quite a genuine person. Sean |
| I was, as always, delighted to see Cullen appear - and he looked very cosy in his coat and jumper combo. I am a little concerned, though, that after the phonecall to Chandler to say that CID had had a blowout and Chandler bolted off he was seen no more - one could go for incarceration in a filing cabinet scenarios ;o) Avon |
| If Chandler was bent on replacing all who don't share his vision and style then he would hardly have made Cullen his only personal appointment. They are very different people both personally and professionally. Avon |
| I wonder if when RH introduced the character he wanted to say something topical about the dangers of the fast track promotion system. Some officers must find themselves promoted beyond their actual ability and experience, and I think Chandler is one of them. If his ambition outstrips his ability, then it's logical that he would arrive at his new post with a malleable yes-man like Cullen tucked under his arm. He's not likely to appoint someone who's outspoken and critical, and Cullen has obviously proved himself amenable in the past. Having said that Chandler might well have miscalulated. Cullen's been showing a few signs of life and might yet turn around and bite his boss on the a**e. Roxy |
| When Cullen asked Chandler to go for a drink he had "places to go, people to see" (which wasn't all that nice of him IMO). Avon True. Poor political practice, too -- you should spare time for those who may well know where the bodies are buried... jo_macq |
 |
| Hmmm, toughie. I reckon Cullen was Chandler's bagman in a previous nick but then Chandler headhunted him for Sun Hill but is not pleased to see that he is no longer as willing to go along with him (Chandler) on a lot of things, like Chandler's pretend morals, par example... Jools |
| Chandler doesn't like Meadows so he wants to rub it in by befriending Cullen. Muldoon |
| One owes the other somehow - just can't quite figure out who!!! MS |
 |
| Well, I have two current favourites - Chandler and Cullen. As usual they are linked together in my mind, as in can't have one without the other. Gail |
 |
| I am about equally a fan of Chandler (evil but gorgeous and charming) and the equally gorgeous Cullen. As usual, I can't separate the two. I think they go together like the horse and carriage. Gail |
| Alex was spotted wearing two ties (no, not at once!). The first was a lovely bright red which must make Chandler wince very time he sees it combined with Cullen's hair ;o). Avon |
| It's people like Chandler and Cullen who are the New Establishment types in modern cop shows. They've got all the right contacts and enough politically correct terminology to join the Government, while old-stylers like Cryer and Conway get left out in the cold with their careers stalled (or terminated ). Roxy |
| Why do I quite like Chandler? He's Alex Cullen's friend and for me friendship is the most fascinating relationship in drama. I do have to admit that because of this and because I make up my own stories there may be a certain element of me liking my version of Chandler more than the televised one. He's straight - I have no problems with his abhorrence at the idea of SH being a bent station. I think he probably went through hell at Park Rise before turning in a senior officer whom he was obviously close to but he did what we in RL want our cops to do. I wonder if that is why he does like and rely on Alex - not in your wildest imaginings could you imagine him as corrupt. Avon |
| Results of Guestbook poll: I think Chandler and Cullen are connected because.... they are friends || they are useful to each other |||| Cullen owes Chandler |||| Chandler owes Cullen | What connection? |
| Both Chandler and Cullen turn me into a pile of goo. Well not quite, but they are my favourites, and they go together like the horse and carriage. Gail |
| Chandler was well dead sexy..... And when together with Cullen they make the dynamic duo... Flossy |
| UPDATED! |
| BTW, is Cullen colour-blind? That's the only explanation I can find for his taste in clothing..... Shadow I can come up with a million more theories than that! A lot of them do revolve around the Chandler and Cullen dynamic. Left to himself Cullen would probably stick to very safe and conservative options. A suit is simply the uniform you wear to work and while you'd accept it was important to be professional in your appearance watching rugby is about rugby and being a DI is about being a good copper - the fashion statement/politics side of it pass you by. Chandler, on the other hand, appears to love clothes and is right up with current fashions - and does try to teach his view of the world and how to get ahead in life. He gives you slightly more exciting shirts (cf the bright blue one) and pushes you into trying to make some efforts in that direction - the pale lemon job. He's his mate so Alex would go along so far but (1) Alex is stubborn and can't just be pushed (2) Alex shows definite signs of having a real sense of humour and (3) since they came to SH Chandler treats Cullen way too much like a doormat - so subversion comes into play. He wears the blue shirt - but with his green tweedy tie to annoy Chandler, he sticks to his beloved red and maroon ties (never met a redhead who didn't want to wear those sort of colours) and you wear your greenish coat with everything because why would a man own more than one coat? Avon |
 |
| Chandler would probably have supported Alex, as usual - he is the only one Chandler ever supports. Gail |
| ... and I noticed the mauve shirt Avon mentioned. It clashes with his hair, but he almost gets away with it. Nope, even on Cullen it is a ghastly shirt - betcha Chandler winces every time he sees it. Avon |
 |
| And as usual, Cullen was being Chandler's little accomplice! Did anyone see the closeup of his leather chair and that whiskey...I could have made a night out of that! Weeeee... Flossie |
| ...the ambiguous expression on his face just after his boss [Chandler] puts him on guard duty outside the door of the interview room... Jo |
| I enjoyed watching all the Chandler and Cullen interaction - yes, all sorts of things could be read into some of those expressions. I love seeing them together. I'd really like to know what the respective actors/writers/producers/directors think they are doing. You (Cullen) weren't being exactly sympathetic about the newspaper article - because you don't care or because you know him well enough to know that he wouldn't be upset, just cross? Then Cullen trotted along like a good little right-hand man to see the journalist. Later on he was obviously expecting/hoping for a bit more sympathy/backup from Chandler over the Meadows-McAllister alliance but didn't get it. Avon |
| I was fascinated by the expressions crossing the faces of Chandler and Cullen during the idiot psych's explanation of the gunman's motivations. Chandler's thoughts: "Alex, don't you DARE laugh!" Cullen's thoughts: "Is he full of it, or what?" I was a bit troubled by Alex's "word of advice" to Chandler. A dead child may be a career killer, but first and foremost it IS a dead child. Cullen has Chandler's measure, however, so he could have been following a sound business practice - when you make your pitch, appeal to the client's dearest-held interest. For Chandler, that's his career. Ainsel |
| Yeah there seemed to be a lot of that throughout the ep. Just little movements in expression that told the story. Like when Cullen warns Chandler that things could go pear-shaped and straight away Chandler's going "oooh where's Jack?!" Like, he wanted someone *else* to be able to take the blame, and the look on Alex's face showed he knew exactly what he was up to and thought it was pathetic. A very interesting display of the Cullen/Chandler relationship. The psych bit I thought was quite funny when Chandler just closed his eyes and shook his head at Cullen, like, "Don't go there." Annie |
| I love watching the body language between Cullen and the Funky Monkey Flossie |
| A good ep. also for fans of Chandler and Cullen. I am beginning to see these characters in a different (good) way now (moreso Cullen) and look forward to seeing them more and more in future eps FB |
| Chandler was well dead sexy but the way he treated Dave grrrrrrrrrr, I could have punched him! And when together with Cullen they make the dynamic duo... Flossy |
| But what I do like to see is both Chandler and Cullen in their suits having a chat over a cup of coffee Amy |
| Only if the camera is kept on Cullen, and he gets to eat biscuits! Jo_Macq |
| His Nibs has a smile like a shark, and just about as much warmth in both eyes and manner as that particular cold-blooded fish. Were I Cullen, I'd be doing anything I could, within reason, to get out from under his thumb... Jo_Macq |
| Chandler and Cullen (yes girls, meows on both parties!) have banded together in hopes to catch another villain but now Cullen is the sneaky one! Clad in his leathers...he sneaks behind the ever-elusive Chandler's back in hopes to find a promotion! Hmmmm...sounds like some other sexy, raven-haired copper I know... Flossy |
 |
| So Cullen's not a puppy dog after all ? Terry |
| Hmm...young Alex shows independence. And he remains cool in the face of that particularly aggressive pleasantness which Chandler so often exhibits in these situations. Ainsel |
| Am I the only one who felt a bit sorry for Chandler then? Having rewatched, and rewatched and rewatched that scene what really struck me was how unconfident of his ground was our Tom Chandler. I would have expected more to see him march in and call Alex sharply to heel, instead of the cloaked in smiles circuitious enquiries we did get. Being the 'boss' is basically always a lonely job; being the boss with an agenda for change can make you as friendless as a Manly supporter at an ugg boot festival Given the 'poisoned chalice' aspect of SH and Tom's relative inexperience it's probably a scary job as well as a lonely one. For whatever reason - his lack of ambition, your knowledge of where his bodies are buried, shared battle scars - Tom obviously (IMO) trusted Alex and felt safe with him. You didn't even have to try and impress him. Now the one person you thought was totally reliable seems to be playing a different game. It'd wipe the smile off my face Avon |
| Despite initial impressions, Cullen is not in Chandler's pocket after all - more likely he's just using the user. Thrang |
| Favourite theory - Alex didn't decide to snap at Pennington's offer until after that scene with Jack where he got - yet again - to be the meat in the sandwich. Got to love Tom's line - (from memory) You can't serve two masters in the Metropolitan Police Service. Avon |
| I'd be interested to know whether almost losing Alex will make Tom rethink his 'treat him like a doormat' approach a little. I'd also like to know whether Alex will put him out of his misery and admit that he's knocked back the idea of going. Avon |
| I also think Chandler is still annoyed with Alex, as he didn't seem to be his usual buddy/buddy self. Wombat |
| I did like Cullen in this ep. You could tell that not everything was hunky-dory twixt him and Chundler. (sic) Lucy |
| I saw a new promo for Saturday night (ie. one the ABC made) and it shows Cullen saying to Chandler that he hopes this 'thing' with Kate Spears is all professional, with Mr Chundler's head suddenly snapping back at Alex (I guess you have to see it). It looks good for nothing else than an Alex-Chundler showdown. Heags4 |
| It seemed to follow on from the last three eps - Cullen was standing up more to Chandler and CHandler was a bit terser with him than usual - suggesting he hasn't been forgiven for his flirtation with NCS. Avon |
| I think Cullen is the only one who hasn't noticed that Chandler has been chasing Kate for weeks. Gail |
| Cullen was very snippy with the boss, wasn't he? Full credit to him; it's never easy to stand on principle in a situation like that, but he was right. Kate is bad enough at taking discipline as it is, without giving her any further excuse. And how's Chandler's form, suddenly being so supportive of Jack Meadows as DCI, just so as he can put Alex in his place - not that it worked. One word, again - "Sir." Classic. Ainsel |
| It showed Chandler's interactions with Cullen (who seems to get under Chandler's skin a little too much for his liking!) Flossy |
| Didn't we get off to a flying start...cruising down the river with Chandler doing the big smarm act below decks and Cullen sitting in the sun, meditatively watching Reg falling over a fence... Ainsel ...and even before that, looking much less than impressed with proceedings while His Nibs was in anecdotal mode. It did cross my mind that he may have been thinking "I gave up rugby practice for this?" Jo_Macq |
| Thought it was odd the way Chandler carried on about the profiler - it was all very modern and trendy so I would have thought it was just his cup of tea. I know he has a budget to balance but I thought it was more personal than that. Either you object to Alex doing anything independently or you're jealous of his friendship with the profiler. I think either would be possible - Chandler doesn't seem the sort who would share his toys nicely. Avon |
| These Chandler/Cullen clashes seem to becoming more regular - and enjoyable. Actually Cullen always seems to have had a lot of integrity....so I could never quite figure why the two were ever friends at all. The way things are going, they won't be for long ! Terry |
| I was surprised that the sleazy one finally saw sense and decided to listen to Alex. Perhaps he is beginning to realise that he is losing his long-time friend's respect, and is disturbed about it. Gail |
| Oh My God. I can't believe Chandler would do that to Kate. He treated her like complete crap. No wonder she was balling her eyes out at the end of the episode. I also think the whole thing with Des was a bit obserd. OK, he (Des) probably shouldn't have done all of those PNC checks, but I think Chandler over-reacted. Stupid git. I am beginning to like Cullen even more. Oh don't get me wrong, I've always liked him, but tonight's performance was fantastic. I think the average viewer could tell that not everything was hunky-dory with Chundler. I loved the way he (Cullen) took Chandler to task over the spears thing and the reference to Jaack, because it's so damn true. Lucy |
| The only thing that made this pap in anyway digestable was the growing tension between Chandler and Cullen. Thrang |
| I don't know that the Superman look would suit our Superintendant, but it sure is fun thinking about it. I think maybe Batman would be more appropriate, Cullen would make the perfect "Boy Wonder". FB |
| No way! Robin was much more like Roz - all bouncingly wet and chirpy. If we're talking superheroes (and given the man already has his own Cult why would he need to be any more super ) then Cullen is the Silver Surfer! Avon |
| <meditatively> Yes, I rather think gods rank higher in the pantheon than superheroes... Jo_Macq |
| I can't wait for the day (If it ever arrives) that Cullen pounds Chandler into the ground. FB |
| Alex seems to be intutive of Chandler's motives more than Chander would like sometimes, for example when Chandler was with Kate Spears for a short time Alex was the one who pointed out that he couldn't be running around with "pretty young DI's" if he got the promotion he wanted- poor Kate (things just keep going wrong for Kate, no-matter how hard she tried). It was good that Alex at least stopped Chandler from hurting Kate, whatever Alex and Chandler's relationship is, Alex has some influence over him. Kate |
| Hopefully Cullen can have some crime storylines that don't involve Superintendent Sleazebag, but I suspect we'll have to put up with the vendetta storyline for the next forty-five years. Loz |
| Chandler is a manipulator, but again this stems from his arrogance. He surrounds himself with 'yes' men (Cullen, although grudgingly on Cullen's behalf), and seeks to mould the station in his image. Chandler and Cullen were the most fascinating and realistic characters to have been introduced in the post-corruption clear out. Chandler is well versed in the art of PR, but that doesn't mean he lacks ground experience. He appoints Cullen to CID, because he knows Alex is a competent and hard working officer. Effectively, when he first arrives, he wants Cullen to run CID, as Jaaack is a write off. He has shown himself to be up to date with police procedures and initiatives, and trust Cullen to implement such work in CID. DWCS |