While I love the show, I am challenged by the lack of support the supporting cast are allowed to do. The characters seems to be there just to give Vera a sense there is someone else in the room. The drama 'Lewis' integrated his partner in the series. While Lewis was not the head of a department, it can still be done in Vera. In the 1st 2 series of Vera, Joe and his life was more integrated and had a better feel. This is where we can empathise with Vera and learn more of her character. I'm on series 5 and it the lone ranger triumphing along.... gets tiring because you see her becoming more insular which I think doesn't work in the series. (The lone ranger still had his horse to care for.)