DS RAY 'RAYMONDO' CARLING - CHARACTER PROFILE
BACKGROUND
The character of Ray Carling, is shown to be a similar character to that of his boss, DCI Gene Hunt. This being, that during Life on Mars Carling often agrees with Hunt's brutality and corruption over that of DI Sam Tyler's ideas. Carling has also been described by the BBC's website as Hunt's: "right-hand man when it comes to fighting, shooting, gambling and the ladies".
Throughout the series, Carling frequently clashes with Sam Tyler regarding his policing methods. It is revealed that Carling had applied for promotion to DI (Detective Inspector), but was passed over for the apparently-transferred Sam Tyler, fuelling his grudge against Tyler. During episode 7 of the first series, Billy Kemble is arrested on drug-related charges. In an attempt to make him reveal his supplier, Carling and Chris Skelton force-feed Kemble cocaine, in the hope it would force him to reveal the name of his supplier, but Kemble has a heart attack and dies in police custody. After an extensive cover-up operation, Hunt angrily demotes Carling to DC (Detective Constable).
During episode 3 of the second series, Carling is blown up by a car bomb and hospitalized. A short time before the explosion, Sam Tyler claims it is a hoax and not the IRA as he knows from 2006 that they never used dynamite. Carling takes Tyler's word and investigates, only to be caught in the explosion. He suffers severe Posttraumatic Stress Disorder after his release from hospital and unwittingly compromises Tyler's investigations. He is however hailed a hero by the rest of CID.
After a period of time as a DC, Hunt re-promotes Carling to DS in series 2, episode 2, which he remains at for the next decade until 1983 in Ashes to Ashes.
CHARACTER TRAITS
The character is displayed to have homophobic, racist and sexist attitudes throughout Life on Mars. During Life on Mars, Carling shows little respect towards Sam Tyler, due to their disagreements over policing methods. In Episode 5 of series 1, Carling is shown to be a big football fan, even faking an illness in order to get time off work to attend the Manchester derby match. He is shown wearing a red and white scarf, implying that he is a Manchester United fan.
By the time of Ashes to Ashes first series which is set in 1981, Carling resents having a female superior, DI Alex Drake and is still overwhemingly sexist and opposed to having women in CID. However, during the second and third series he is much more willing to work with Drake and respects her as his senior officer.
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