Trapped (Season 3)

The first season of Trapped is one of the finest pieces of long-form crime drama.  The second season was a respectable follow-up that was marred by some questionable writing. 

Season 3 has two immediately noticeable differences.  One, Netflix prefers to call it Entrapped (the Icelandic title remains the same).  Two, it is much shorter- just over half the running time of the first two seasons.

It starts off on a somewhat underwhelming note.  For the first three of the six episodes it follows a watchable but meandering narrative.  It is only at the end of the fourth episode that it picks up pace.  But it is the final reveal that is the real standout.  It elevates all that has happened before.  It also brings protagonist Andri’s personal story to a satisfying conclusion. 

You need to have watched Season 1 to fully understand Andri’s character arc.  Moreover, there are narrative threads that connect to events that happened in the first season. 

Link to trailer

The Responder (Season 1)

SERIES REVIEW

The Responder is an outstanding character study of a man on the edge of his mental endurance, that doubles as an above-average thriller, tinged with the feel of a documentary.  It centres on a Liverpool police officer who does night shifts, patrolling the streets.  He’s weighed down by his past- some of which he’s made peace with, most of which he’s struggling to reconcile with.  And he’s honestly trying to the make sense of the blurring lines between right and wrong.

Martin Freeman gives a career-best performance in the central role with notable supporting performances all around.  But it is the writing which shines above everything else.  What Freeman’s character deals with is unglamorous and stressful yet it is riveting.  Along the way, the narrative mixes social commentary with scenes of uncommon brilliance.

Link to trailer

Dopesick (2021)

SERIES REVIEW

Dopesick is an 8 hour drama, set against the first decade or so of America’s opioid crisis. 

It is widely agreed that the start of that crisis can be traced to the launch of the drug OxyContin by Purdue Pharma in the 1990s, and the aggressive and dishonest way that the drug was promoted.  However, despite strong evidence, as well as the efforts of dedicated law enforcement officials, no executives of the firm or any members of the Sackler family- who owned and ran the firm- have ever been held personally responsible- so far, at least.   Dopesick attempts to tell the story of most of what happened. 

On the plus side, it does a good job at presenting a well-rounded view of the crisis: what went on behind-the-scenes at Purdue Pharma, how that affected communities, and why the law enforcement teams struggled to take action against the company and its people.  It presents, with chilling effect, how doctors were manipulated into prescribing the drug.  On the down side, the rapidly shifting timeline can be hard to follow.  Secondly, the narrative thread featuring the DEA- which occupies a large chunk of the running time and contributes most to the story going back-and-forth in time- is much less interesting and impactful than the rest of the material.  If you can look past that, this is a tense, solid, and compelling drama.

Link to trailer

PS: Those who have seen John Oliver’s terrific takedown of the Sackler family may remember his candidates for the role of Richard Sackler, believed to be the brains behind OxyContin and its marketing strategy.  One of them, Michael Keaton, features in Dopesick but in a very different role.  Instead, we have Michael Stuhlbarg who gives an intense, scary and eerily spot-on performance as Richard Sackler.  Of course, Stuhlbarg had the advantage of seeing Sackler’s deposition (which Oliver’s candidates didn’t have).  Sadly, though, Stuhlbarg hardly got any awards recognition.

Reacher- Season 1

SERIES REVIEW

Finally we have Jack Reacher on the screen looking and acting like the Jack Reacher we pictured in the novels.  Plus he’s fun to watch.  A lot of fun.  I am salivating at the prospect of more seasons.

For those who haven’t read the books, think of someone with the build of Schwarzenegger, the wit of the characters he played back in the 80s and 90s, the smartness of Sherlock, and violent when he needs to be.  Brutally violent. To quote one reviewer, “for those of you who take immense pleasure in cathartic violence, well, Reacher is just what the doctor would order”. 

Link to trailer

Paris Police 1900 (2021)

SERIES REVIEW

This is a gritty crime drama set against the racial tensions that marked the socio-political landscape of France at the turn of the 20th century.  It is a murder mystery meshed with political intrigue, blackmail, backstabbing, and brutal violence. 

It is striking in the way it fashions a fictional narrative around real-life events and characters.  More than that, though, it stands out for its portrayal of that time and place, and the way it immerses you into that.  Through the dark streets of Paris and the murky corridors of power, it transports you into a squalid world in which moral considerations are frequently trampled by the need to survive at any cost. 

A few things to bear in mind.  One, it would help to be familiar with the historical context (or look it up, if required).  Two, it features a lot many characters and getting a hang of them and their motivations may take some time or require some pausing and rewinding.  Three, it pulls no punches in its depiction of filth, gore, and depravity.

Link to trailer

Time (2021)

SERIES REVIEW

There are prison dramas.  And then there is Time.

What makes this mini-series so special?  It feels real.  It has great performances.  But most of all, it is the writing.  It is a heart-wrenching examination of human frailty and resilience, and of the hard choices that one should never have to make.  And it has something to say about penal systems.

It tells the parallel stories of two men- one, a prison officer, the other, a prisoner.  They have an unexceptional working relationship with no particular fondness for, or animosity towards each other.  What connects them, apart from their shared environment, is their humanity, and their stoic acceptance of the consequences of their choices.  The writing shines in its nuanced depiction of these men, and the people and events that dot their storylines. 

Here’s a link to a clip of the opening 7 minutes.

McMafia- Season 1

SERIES REVIEW

This is an 8-hour mashup of gangster rivalry and family drama.  The series gets its name and inspiration from a superb, non-fiction book that portrays in great detail how the global trade in illicit goods and services has operated and flourished since the 1990s.  However, unlike the book, the series (or this season, at least) offers only a glimpse of that.  It prefers to use that as a distant backdrop to spin a story of two men who come into conflict with each other.  One is a Russian crime lord and trafficker, the other a fund manager of Russian origin.  They are linked together through a long-standing family feud.  In large part, this is a character study of these men, and how they are similar and different to each other.

It’s classy without being too flashy.  The thing that struck me the most is the confidence with which it has been visualised and directed.  What also stands out is its air of authenticity and the performances.  Georgian actor Merab Ninidze is especially terrific.  On the flip side, the pacing is very slow- some might look at it as glacial. Also, there is a bit of narrative bloat on account of a few sub-plots that don’t add anything of value.  On balance, I found it very gripping and worthwhile.  However, I am not convinced of the merit in having a second season, work on which is underway.

Here’s a link to the trailer.

Rubicon (2010)

SERIES REVIEW

“Rubicon” offers storytelling that is methodical and measured. It does an outstanding job of conveying the personal and psychological costs of working in the American intelligence trenches during the war on terror.

-New York Times

The influence of the paranoia thrillers of the 70s (especially Three Days of the Condor) is unmistakable.  But this series is more of a drama, with an identity of its own.  It centres on a team of socially-challenged but brilliant analysts, working for a private intelligence agency.  Over the course of 10 hours, we are immersed into their unglamorous, low-tech world.  It’s a murky world where, apart from intelligence analysis, it pays to be wary of the savvier people around you, and take careful note of every spoken word and gesture.

The series emphasises sober storytelling over sensationalism.  Add to that, a deliberate pacing with very little action means that enjoying it calls for a specific taste, and loads of patience.  For those who have that, the end result, while not perfect, will likely be very satisfying.  There are some questionable sub-plots, and there is a bit of needlessly sloppy plotting and writing.  Nonetheless, if you like your spy dramas to be cerebral, there is a lot to savour. 

A word about the ending.  While it ties up most of the loose ends, there are some who found it underwhelming.  Personally, I thought it was consciously unflashy, and was in line with the overall tone of the series. 

Here’s a link to a clip.

Our Friends in the North (1996)

SERIES REVIEW

It is exactly 25 years since the final episode of this 10 hour British series first aired.  Over the years, it has come to be regarded as one of the finest television dramas ever made.  Its leads- then unknown or little-known-  have gone on to great glory and commercial success- probably none more than Daniel Craig.

It is a stellar piece of drama with substantive writing, credible characters, and top-notch performances.  It tells the story of four friends, setting off on their individual and shared life journeys in 1964 at the age of 20, and where and how they end up 31 years later.   It is plotted against the backdrop of the political, social, and economic changes across Britain over that time.   It weaves into the narrative, issues such as council housing and police corruption, and events such as the miners’ strike.  I would submit that, to truly appreciate this series, it would help to be familiar with all of that.  Or at least have an open mind. 

Here’s a link to a clip.

The Investigation

SERIES REVIEW

In August 2017, 30-year-old Swedish journalist Kim Wall went missing in Denmark.  For those who don’t know or remember that case, it led to a media circus fuelled by the sensational elements of the investigation such as the mystery of a sunken submarine, a high-profile arrest, and the discovery of a dismembered body.  What didn’t get enough attention was the meticulous, painstaking work of the Danish police to uncover the truth.  The Investigation is a 5.5-hour mini-series that presents their efforts in great detail.  It is an unflashy but gripping police procedural with solid performances, that stands out on a number of counts.

For one, it is an elaborate and obsessively authentic portrayal of what the police teams did and accomplished- especially the investigation team and the divers.  In that respect, it tops any documentary on the case so far.  Secondly, it gives a palpable sense of how tough and exacting their tasks were.  On one hand, there were the circumstances, and the forces of nature to deal with.  On the other, there were the rigorous standards of Denmark’s legal system.  It paints a vivid picture of the toll that all of this took on those involved, and on Wall’s family, and pays tribute to their perseverance.  Then there is the way that the narrative has been shaped.  One reviewer described it as “something of a benchmark for how true-life crime adaptations should be” while another reviewer called it “the next evolution of true crime”.  To quote the director, though, it is not a ‘true crime’ drama- rather, it is a ‘true investigation’ drama. 

Here’s a link to the trailer.

The Serpent

This is a new 8 hour mini-series,  co-produced by the BBC and Netflix.  It tells the real-life story of Charles Sobhraj- the notorious thief, con man, and killer- with an emphasis on the period in the mid-70s when he was active across the so-called ‘hippie trail’ in Asia.

It is a standout crime drama that is especially noteworthy for its top-notch production design.  It conveys a very real feel of that place and time, and immerses you in the middle of it all.  You can sense the dread that would have been felt by those who saw the cold-blooded, ruthless side of the man.  You can feel the frustration of those who were tracking him, trying to get him arrested.  It also paints a compelling picture of how he managed to evade the law for as long as he did. On the flip side, some viewers have found its non-linear narrative to be jarring.

Until now, if someone wanted to know more about Sobhraj, I recommended a somewhat less-known documentary, Sobhraj- Or How To Make Friends With A Serial Killer.  Unlike The Serpent, it covers not only the period when he was most criminally active but also his time in jail in India and Nepal.  If one can look past the rather quirky artistic choices, it is painstakingly researched and presents a very well-rounded view of the man.  While I still recommend this documentary, I think that The Serpent serves as an excellent companion piece to it. 

Here’s a link to the trailer of The Serpent.

Jack Irish (Movies, Seasons 1-2)

Jack Irish is the creation of Australian crime writer, Peter Temple, and the lead character of four of his novels.  He is a lawyer turned debt collector who moonlights as a private investigator.  I haven’t read the novels but I got around to watching the televisual rendering of his adventures.  So far there have been 3 made-for-television movies and one six-parter, directly based on the novels, and another six-parter with original content around the character. 

It is a distinctly Australian drama in its setting, characters and humour.  Where it stands out is that despite brutal murders and a high body count, there is a lot to smile about, thanks to the colourful characters, running gags, and witty dialogue.  The ace in the pack, though, is Guy Pearce as the title character, in a role that some say, he was born to play. In the words of one reviewer, he exhibits a “world-weary charm exemplifying the best of the Australian character –getting on with the job at hand with a minimum of fuss and bother, always with the aim of doing the right thing by the underdog.”

On the downside, the plotting, while engrossing, is twisted to the point of being convoluted, especially in Season 2.  Or as one character puts it to Mr. Irish: “It's never just straightforward with you, is it, Jack?  You know, never a meat and three veg murder.”  Nevertheless, I enjoyed this a lot.

Here’s a link to a clip that captures some of the flavour of the movies and the series.

Here’s a link to the aired order of the movies and the series.  On some streaming services, the season categorisation is as shown here.

Zen (Season 1)

Right after I finished watching this crime drama, my first thought was: I’m gonna miss this.

It’s set in Italy and is loosely based on a series of novels by British crime writer, Michael Dibdin.  The title character- Aurelio Zen is his full name- is a police detective of Venetian origin, working in Rome. As played by Rufus Sewell, he is dapper, charming, and with loads of self-deprecating humour.  He also has “a reputation for scrupulous integrity” that, in the dark corridors where politics and policing mingle, isn’t necessarily considered an asset.  Over the course of three feature-length episodes, we see him work on cases that include murders, suicide, and kidnapping.

While the cases are unexceptional, and their resolutions rather facile, it is the journey that they take Zen through that is interesting.  Even more is watching Zen balance the constantly conflicting interests of the powers above him, while extracting his own little pound of flesh, so to speak.  Most of all, it is the characters, the performances, and the atmosphere of the series that I found utterly fascinating and which linger on for me.

The series was originally aired in 2011 but despite a respectable viewership (and eight more source novels available), was never renewed.

Here is a link to the trailer.

Balthazar (Seasons 1-2)

This is a French police procedural in which the title character is a “forensic examiner” with the ability to make brilliant deductions that frequently solve crimes.  He also has a knack for involving himself in more aspects of police work than his profession might rightfully allow for, and has the physical skills and an ample amount of time to be able to do so.  However, none of that stands up to his most notable quality: his endless supply of mischievous wit, because of which, there is almost never a dull moment, when he’s around. 

Overall, I found Season 1 to be very entertaining.  The plotting in Season 2 was way over-the-top for my comfort.  Since each episode is an independent story, it makes it easier to watch as long as your interest remains. 

A couple of things worth bearing in mind.  Firstly, the trailer and promotional blurbs make a lot of Balthazar’s ability to “make the dead speak”.  It’s a personality quirk that he has these imaginary conversations with the dead which include hearing them offer advice on his personal life.  Secondly, there is an unresolved aspect of Balthazar’s back story that is dangled throughout as a hook for watching more of the series.  Even at the end of Season 2, the resolution of that remains unclear.

Here’s a link to the trailer.

The Hour (Seasons 1-2)

The Hour tells the story of a fictional BBC news show, set in the 1950s.  It is a newsroom drama with an ambitious narrative.  On one hand, it is propelled by world events like the Suez crisis and the Hungarian revolution, jostling for airtime with local stories of crime and espionage.  The more interesting and dominating storyline, though, involves the people bringing the news- their ambitions, compulsions, determination, and frailties. 

It is a fascinating mix that is made even more so by the rich detailing of the characters and the top-notch performances.  Even though some of the plotlines suffer from credibility issues, this is a very compelling dramatic thriller.

The Hour first aired in 2011 as a 6 hour miniseries.  It was renewed a year later, for another six hours.

Here’s a link to the original trailer.

Here’s a clip from the first episode.

Jack Taylor (Seasons 1-3)

If witty crime drama is your sort of thing, then this Irish series is worth checking out.  It centres around a hard drinking, wisecracking, middle-aged policeman-turned-private investigator, brilliantly essayed by Iain Glen.  He has an unfailing knack of being in conflict with the law, and attracting trouble and beautiful women. 

A note of caution: don’t keep your overall expectations too high.  Glen’s presence and performance is easily the best thing across the series.  The supporting cast and characters, especially in the first few episodes, are very good: they greatly add to the entertainment value. However, as the series progresses, their impact diminishes.  While the plotting, in general, is not worth writing about, some episodes have a rather convoluted narrative.

I’d recommend watching the first episode (which I thought was pretty entertaining), and then deciding if you’d like to watch more.  Each of the 9 episodes (so far) features a self-contained 90 minute story. 

Here’s a link to an extended trailer.

Rebecka Martinsson (Season 2)

Dare I say that I liked Season 2 more than Season 1?

For me, the best thing about Season 1 was the performance of Ida Engvoll.  I haven’t read the source novels but I thought her portrayal of the conflicted title character was superb.  Hence, I wasn’t enthused by the decision to replace her with Sascha Zacharias in Season 2.  Still, I must admit that her performance is good but it’s hard to shrug away the images of Season 1.

Where Season 2 scored for me over Season 1 was in the balance between the crimes and their investigation on one hand, and the storyline of the title character on the other.  Secondly, the plots were more grounded.  Like Season 1, the supporting cast is excellent and the beautiful, if bleak landscapes cast a spell of their own.

Here’s a link to a trailer.

The Escape Artist (2013)

It would seem that this 3 hour mini-series has something to say about criminal justice and the nature of legal defence.  What that is, doesn’t come out clearly, perhaps on account of the convoluted plot, dubious character motives, and ludicrous plot twists. Still, it manages to be very watchable, thanks to excellent performances, most notably by David Tennant in the lead role.

Here’s a link to a clip.

The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes and Dr. Watson

This is an 11-episode, Russian language adaptation that was produced and telecast in the erstwhile Soviet Union in 5 instalments, between 1979 and 1986.  It’s a thoughtful, painstakingly crafted production with a distinctive take on Holmes and his relationship with Watson.  In a nutshell: I think it’s marvellous. 

Compared to the most popular portrayals of Holmes, this imagines him as more down-to-earth and less hyper.  I guess the idea was also to avoid flashiness: something that has come to characterize the most well-known portrayals.  His relationship with Watson is one of deep mutual respect, and affection: he isn’t a sidekick.

The lack of flashiness is also evident in the narrative as well as the design.  But there is no mistaking the attention to detail.  You see it in the costumes, the interiors, the landscapes (it was shot in Riga), and the sound design. 

There’s also something else that one might little expect- a dash of humour, especially in how some of the characters are imagined.  Not in the case of Moriarty, though, let me hasten to add- that portrayal is chillingly sinister.

While the series is generally faithful to the stories/ books, some episodes mix a couple of stories together.   In addition, the first episode takes its time to set up the relationship between Holmes and Watson.  Here’s a link that lists the episodes (matched with the stories/ books).

The series is freely available on the YouTube channel of Lenfilm. 

Fun facts:

• A statue of Sherlock Holmes and Dr. Watson, as played by the actors, Vasily Livanov and Vitaly Solomin, in this series, has been erected in Moscow near the British embassy.
• For his portrayal of Holmes, Livanov was appointed an Honorary MBE (Member of the Order of the British Empire).
• To commemorate the 120th anniversary of the first Sherlock Holmes novel, the Cook Islands produced a set of 4 silver coins featuring colour vignettes from this series.

Baghdad Central

This 6 hour mini-series is a crime drama set in Baghdad, soon after the 2003 US-led invasion.  The source novel, upon which it is loosely based, is noteworthy in telling a story of that time and place from an Iraqi perspective.  But whereas the novel portrays a vivid picture of the occupation, the adaptation eschews a lot of that in favour of  amplifying the level of drama- at times, a bit too much.  Still, the setting, as well as the performances, make it worth checking out.

Here’s a link to the trailer.