Last night's season finale of RTÉ's gangland drama Love/Hate had an average of 1,007,500 viewers, the broadcaster has revealed.
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[/comment]The denouement to series four of the acclaimed production had a 54% share of the audience, according to RTÉ, putting it on a par with The Late Late Toy Show, traditionally the station's biggest viewer magnet of the year.
In 2012 some 1,319,000 tuned in to see the annual Christmas toyfest hosted by Ryan Tubridy.
Last night's Love/Hate saw several storylines come to a head as a crack garda unit led by Detective Inspector Mick Moynihan (Brian F. O'Byrne) attempted to foil the importation from Rotterdam of a large consignment of drugs by kingpin Nidge (Tom Vaughan-Lawlor).
Viewers also saw the latest twists in the deteriorating relationship between Nidge and partner in crime Fran (Peter Coonan), as well as an inglorious end for more than one criminal collaborator.
However while the episode enjoyed bumper viewing figures, many reviewers and online commentaters expressed disappointment at how events had played out.
#LoveHate Bigger let down for us or Trish at the end there?
— James Gallagher (@jamesgallagher) November 10, 2013
Last night's Love/Hate viewing figures also beat those of episode 1 of the season, which saw 970,600 people tune in.
Viewership had dipped slightly over the course of this season, as 706,000 tuned in for last week's penultimate episode.
Series creator Stuar Carolan has previously revealed that he is currently writing season 5 of the hit series.