If you have read my post dated 14th May 2014 about Constantine the NBC TV Series, you would know that I am a huge fan of the movie, Constantine (2005) starring Keanu Reeves. However, I am not so much a fan of the TV series which was aired on NBC in 2014 (it lasted only one season). For those who are unfamiliar with this franchise, Keanu Reeves was first John Constantine before John Wick, a chain-smoking cynical exorcist who has the ability to see half-angels and half-demons (not unlike Detective Nick Burkhardt in the TV series GRIMM). If that is not bad enough, he also has terminal lung cancer and his soul is damned to hell for attempting to commit suicide in his youth. Constantine ,which is based on DC Comics' Hellblazer by Alan Moore (Watchmen/ V for Vendetta/ Batman The Killing Joke/ Swamp Thing), was director Francis Lawrence's first movie. Before this, he mainly directed music videos, hence the movie had a very edgy and stylized look to it. Besides Reeves, other big stars like Rachel Weisz, Shia LaBeouf, Tilda Swinton, Djimon Hounsou, Peter Stormare and Gavin Rossdale were also attached to the film. While the movie did not garner much critical acclaim when it was screened, it had attracted quite a following over the years with many regarding it as a cult classic. When the movie first premiered, I remember anxiously waiting in line to buy a cinema ticket to see it and the place was really packed (it was the holidays) which was really an exception for me as I rarely go to the cinema (nowadays, with so much content in the internet and so many streaming platforms, my trips to the cinema has become non-existent). However, when I came out of the cinema I felt that the movie was worth the ticket and effort. There was just something about it that impressed me. I always had a fetish for occult stories but the combination of the rich source material from Alan Moore (one of the greatest comic book authors), Francis Lawrence's distinctive style and the involvement of Reeves/Weisz made this movie unique. Besides, it also had an underlying message of redemption which I found to be comforting. At that time, my father had recently passed away and I was feeling very melancholy. Just a little bit of backstory on why this movie will always have a special place in my heart.
Now back to my original topic. In 2022, rumors had surfaced that a sequel was in the works with Reeves reprising his role, Akiva Goldsman writing the screenplay and the involvement of Francis Lawrence as director once again. Although there has been no official word from Warner Bros and filming of the sequel has not even started, many fake/concept teasers and trailers have started to appear in YouTube and on the internet lately (purporting to be the real deal). Numerous accounts of interviews with Lawrence and Reeves has also come to light on the web on their efforts to push for a sequel leaving many fans confused but expectant. Personally, I feel that if a sequel is to be made, it should have been done a long time ago (not 2 decades later) due to two factors namely a new generation of audience who might not connect with the source material and an aging Reeves (although enthusiastic) who has moved on to other franchises mainly the John Wick movies. It is also doubtful that Lawrence will be able to assemble a cast as good as the original one which consisted mainly of high profile actors/actresses even in the supporting roles. Anyways, if a sequel does come to fruition, I hope it will be handled well so as to not tarnish the legacy of the original movie. For those who want to know more about the sequel, I have included a link below to an article from TheDirect.com by Sam Hargrave published on 13th February 2024 which is recent and quite comprehensive. With regards to the many fake trailers circulating the net, you can check out the article from Abdul Azim Naushad on Comingsoon.net published on 14 February 2024.
While browsing on YouTube, I was recently reminded of an American sitcom which I have fond memories of from my younger years, Newsradio, which ran for 5 seasons from 1995 to 1998. As a result of this, I decided to revisit this series. Basically, the series is about the antics of the staff of an American radio station which consist of a bunch of very eccentric characters except for the news director/station manager Dave Nelson (played by Canadian actor/comedian Dave Foley). While watching this series again, I was reminded how very hilarious and entertaining the series was. The writing of Paul Simms, the creator of this show, and his team still impressed me even after all these years. The series also had a very talented and diverse ensemble cast which I don't see much of these days on TV. After watching this series, I got very nostalgic about the sitcoms that I grew up with or spent my time watching during my young adulthood mainly those from the 1980s and 1990s. In those days, they were usually filmed before a live studio audience, featured an ensemble cast, had a great theme song with each episode lasting around 30 minutes. Sitcoms (which is short for situation comedy) were shown mostly back to back on different channels in the 1980s and 1990s which meant that you could spent half an hour every weeknight , after a long and stressful day at work, laughing at your favorite characters on TV. Which is not a bad way to de-stress considering the episodes were short and do not require long couch time for those with a busy schedule. Besides, the huge variety of sitcoms aired during those days meant that one was spoilt for choice. Another reason why sitcoms flooded the landscape of American TV in the 1980s and 1990s were the absence of any streaming services and Netflix.
Before Newsradio, I had also revisited a few of my perennial favorites, namely The Nanny (1993-1999) (starring the irrepressible Fran Drescher), Who's The Boss? (1984-1992), Will & Grace (1998-2006/ 2017-2020), the more recent ones Melissa & Joey (2010-2015) and Young & Hungry (2014-2018) and finally the older series I Dream of Jeannie (1967-1970) which was my late mother's favorite and which I did not know was produced by the very famous author, Sidney Sheldon, until after recently watching it with her :). Another show which is worth mentioning here is the British sitcom, The Coupling, which ran on the BBC from 2000 to 2004. Written by Steven Moffat. a famous TV producer and writer, whose credits include the 2005 revival of Doctor Who and Benedict Cumberbatch's Sherlock, the show is quite similar to its famous American counterpart, Friends, but which I feel is often underrated.
So what is causing this resurgence in sitcoms? If you, like me, love trolling YouTube occasionally, you would have noticed snippets or even whole episodes of these old sitcoms popping up. You even have sites and chat groups promoting retro TV extolling these sitcoms on the internet. What this translates to is that these shows might have a second lease of life with younger viewers who might have not known the existence of them before. In my opinion, nothing makes good TV without excellent writing and a formidable cast (there was frequent improvisations on these shows as they were mostly filmed impromptu before a live studio audience). With the current TV landscape flooded mostly with reality and game shows (they are cheaper and easier to produce for the networks), I'm hoping the newer generation will take notice of these quality shows and the effort put into crafting them. Lately, I noticed that Netflix has been trying to revive this format by producing a small number of sitcoms. Amongst them, which I stumbled upon accidentally , is the series Pretty Smart which to my surprise starred Emily Osment who also plays the lead character in Freeform's Young & Hungry (mentioned earlier in this post). Unfortunately the series which was aired in 2021 lasted only one season before it was cancelled.
Last thoughts, I think that it is highly unlikely that sitcoms will be making a huge comeback in the present day especially because they are shot in front of a live studio audience but I'm contented if they are being replaced with more modern but well written comedy TV series like The Mindy Project (US) and Fleabag (UK) which also have a running time of around 30 minutes. Although, I can't help but feel nostalgic about them sometimes and this post is my personal homage to them.
Most of my recent posts has been about modern detective dramas but in this post, I'm going to write about period detective dramas with emphasis on a particular British-Austrian series, Vienna Blood. Of course there has been a plethora of period detective dramas recently but this series happens to stand out for me from the rest despite its mediocre reviews. The fact that it has been renewed for a fourth season further validates my belief that this series has garnered quite a viewership and that many (like myself) has found this series to be highly entertaining. If you prefer period detective dramas with strong female leads then I would recommend instead Alibi's Miss Scarlet and The Duke. Vienna Blood is a detective drama filmed in Vienna, Austria and set in the early 1900s. The series is based on the Liebermann novels by Frank Tallis and concerns Max Lieberman (British actor, Matthew Beard), a young doctor and student of Sigmund Freud (the term psychiatrist has not been coined yet), who tries to assist an older Police Detective Oskar Rheinhardt (Austrian actor, Juergen Maurer) by providing psychological insights to solve numerous complex murders. Similarly in The Alienist (2018 limited series from TNT which lasted two seasons), we have the character of Dr Lazlo Kreizler (Daniel Bruhl), a psychiatrist (alienists is the term used for psychiatrists in this series) who teams up with the police commissioner's secretary, a newspaper illustrator and two other NYPD detectives (twin brothers that are equivalent to modern crime scene forensic experts) to track down a serial killer who is murdering street children. Both doctors here act as precursors to modern day criminal profilers. However, the similarities between both series ends here. While Vienna Blood has a more light and humorous feel to it, the later has a more serious and darker tone. In addition to this, all episodes in both seasons of The Alienist (which consist of 10 and 8 episodes) have a continuing story arc while each season of Vienna Blood (first shown on the BBC in 2019) contains three 90 minute episodes which feature different and unrelated crime or murder cases making them similar to stand alone TV movies. However, the episodes are split into six shorter 45 minute episodes when they were aired in the US.
So, what makes this series appealing to me? Of course there are many more high profile period detective dramas on TV out there who has earned better critical acclaim but for those who like their period detective dramas unpretentious, in a lighter vein and entertaining, this series might just be your thing. Despite not being as 'stuffy' as other period detective dramas, Vienna Blood does not lack substance evidenced by the diverse and often complicated cases presented in each episode. The combination of the different range of cases explored and the unlikely partnership between Max, an idealistic, refined and intellectual young man, and Oskar, a man who is often gruff, obstinate and impulsive (but truly a softie), makes this series always interesting to the viewer. The carefully written backstories of both the lead characters and supporting characters that are interwoven in the narrative of the story also lends an added dimension to the characters and the story as a whole unlike in some series, where backstories are added just as an after thought or a filler. During the course of the three seasons, we also get to witness the progression of Max and Oskar's relationship from uncomfortable partners to friends and Oskar's skepticism to eventual trust of Max's methods. Another thing that is a great feature of this series is the overall lush and authentic look of the series (faithful to how Vienna would look like in the early 1900s). The major contributing factor could be that the series was mainly filmed in many famous landmarks across Vienna but the exceptional sets and costumes are also worth mentioning here.
Last thoughts, if you prefer your period detective dramas to be entertaining but still clever enough to pose a challenge to the amateur sleuth in you, then Vienna Blood might just be your next series. To avoid disappointment, approach this series with no pre-conceived expectations and enjoy the series for what it truly is, just wholesome fun. After all, the fact that the series has been renewed for a fourth season means it must be doing something right.
Addendum (28th April 2024) : Fans of the series Miss Scarlet and The Duke should take note that in season 5, the series will simply be titled Miss Scarlet following the departure of actor Stuart Martin who plays Inspector William 'The Duke' Wellington. Instead, he will be replaced by Kate Phillips' new co-star Tom Durant-Pritchard. Below is the video of Kate Phillips introducing Tom to the viewers courtesy of PBS Masterpiece.
Trailer courtesy of the BBC
Video courtesy of PBS Masterpiece
For those who are interested, all three seasons of the series Vienna Blood is available on DVD from Amazon (US) and via streaming on Amazon Prime courtesy of PBS Masterpiece. Here are the links below.
If you have been following my blog lately, you might have noticed that my recent posts has been mainly about European TV series. But in this post (might be a lengthy one), I'm going to talk about two American TV series that I recently caught up with. The reason why I'm mentioning both series in one post is because despite having very different stories, both these series have some glaringly similar attributes. Before I start to babble more about them, for those not acquainted with The Walking Dead or Justified franchise, both are long running US TV series that have ended and have a huge fan following. The former is based on Robert Kirkman's comic book series of the same title while the later is based on Elmore Leonards's series of novels that feature the titular character in Justified. The Walking Dead-Daryl Dixon is amongst the many spin-offs of The Walking Dead (ended in 2022 after 11 seasons) which has been renewed by AMC for a second season. While Justified-City Primeval, is a one off limited sequel by FX after the original series, Justified (ended in 2015 after 6 seasons).
In my opinion, cable networks AMC and FX took huge risks with these series because they both feature a popular and old/familiar character (from amongst their best franchise) in completely new settings. If you have seen the original series, The Walking Dead, you would know that Daryl Dixon is an American redneck (with a heart of gold) who along with a rag tag band of friends (whom he considers family) fights to survive in a post apocalyptic world populated by the walking dead/zombies. However, in TWD-Daryl Dixon, he is separated from his friends/family and transported to France where he gets to see how the apocalypse has affected other parts of the world. To say that this series, filmed entirely in France with a predominantly French cast and crew, is different somewhat from its parent show would be an understatement as the different settings has drastically altered the dynamics of the show but in fresh and exciting ways. The pairing of Daryl, who doesn't speak a word of French, with a French nun Isabelle (he agrees to help her to transport a boy whom she believes is the Messiah to a safe haven called The Nest in return for a ticket home) is in itself the most unlikely partnership which makes viewing the series even more interesting. Other elements of the show that sets it apart from the original series (which takes place mostly in the woods of Georgia) is the breathtaking scenery of France (check out the majestic and mysterious Mont-Saint-Michel/ The Nest), the almost poetic cinematography of the French and the strong European influences in the sets and costumes used in the show. Heck, even the zombies are from different variants. Story wise, the writing and direction of the show is also very different due mainly to the influences of showrunners David Zabel and Daniel Percival who are both new to the TWD franchise. However, fans of the original series should be assured that forerunners, writer Scott Gimple and director Greg Nicotero, is still very much involved in this series. Ater witnessing a flashback scene from one of Isabelle's backstory (she wasn't always a nun) which showed the fall of Paris to the dead, I was convinced that what I was watching was something very different from the parent show and the other TWD spin-offs. I think the actor, Norman Reedus, who has played the character of Dixon for the last 13 years best describes the series as TWD but on a whole different level.
Justified-City Primeval is a also a departure from the original series and is actually based on Elmore Leonard's novel City Primeval-High Noon in Detroit. In the original series, Raylan Givens (Timothy Olyphant) is a Deputy US Marshal whose unconventional and often tough methods would be more suited to the Old West instead of modern times. The series, which takes place mainly in Kentucky, mostly deals with him brandishing his own code of justice on the local criminals especially his arch nemesis, Boyd Crowder, played brilliantly by actor Walton Goggins (you can catch him in the new Prime TV Series The Fallout as The Ghoul/Cooper Howard). However, in City Primeval, Givens lands himself in the urban landscape of Detroit pursuing a criminal known as 'The Oklahoma Wildman' with his teen daughter in tow (played by Olyphant's real life daughter, Vivian). The change of landscape from Kentucky to the city of Detroit whose populace consist mainly of African Americans, throws our main protagonist and favorite cowboy into unfamiliar territory. Like Daryl Dixon, this change of scenery is what makes this series an interesting watch. It changes the whole dynamics of the show and we get to see how Givens interacts with new and interesting characters.
Another similarity between the 2 series is that the viewer gets to see how the titular characters, Dixon and Givens, have matured in comparison to how they were first portrayed in the original series. As both actors, Reedus and Olyphant, have aged, so have the characters evolved. In the beginning, Daryl was a loner who was often the brash and compulsive one in the gang. But in the latest series, he places more importance on friends and family and is more contemplative in his actions. Raylan, once trigger happy and reckless, is now father to a teen daughter who needs his protection. Both series also uses the 'fish out of water' trope in their storyline to great effect. Just think about it, an American redneck in France helping a nun and an Old West lawman in Detroit helping an African American defense attorney (Aunjanue Ellis). Very reminiscent of a 90s Canadian TV series 'Due South' created by Paul Haggis which had naive and straight laced Canadian Mountie, Benton Fraser (played by actor Paul Gross), go to the big city of Chicago to track down the killers of his father.
Final thoughts, both series were a leap of faith that paid off in dividends. Obviously, the networks and all parties involved in creating and producing both these series took a gamble. Although they respected the original material, they did not want to rehash something that had already been done. Instead, they tried something new and elevated the series to new heights. Some purists of the original series might not agree with me, but I give both these series a thumbs up for being brave enough to try something fresh and exciting. Below is a video which features cast interviews and behind the scene footages of The Walking Dead-Daryl Dixon courtesy of Verizon and AMC.
Addendum (28th April 2024) : Those who have seen Justified-City Primeval will know that the conclusion of the series was open-ended and although the series is supposedly a one off sequel from FX with no news so far that FX will be renewing it, rumors have been circulating in the internet that there might be a second season to this series. For those interested, I have provided 2 links to Uproxx.com and Comingsoon.net with the latest updates.
(Behind The Scenes Video Courtesy of Verizon & AMC)
Addendum (9th May 2024) : For fans of The Walking Dead-Daryl Dixon, below are 2 new videos (exclusive look and teaser) for the second season The Book of Carol, courtesy of the Walking Dead and TWD Clips on YouTube.
Honestly, this is my very first Danish TV Series. I have never visited Denmark before and what I know of this country is very little except for their famous butter cookies (please excuse me for my poor jokes). But as an introduction to Danish TV and films, this series really impressed me. In fact, I'm looking forward to Season 2 of this series which I think is very likely to happen since there is some indication in the last episode that the story so far is still unfinished. As always, I stumbled upon this series unintentionally while feeling very bored with the many investigative crime dramas that has inundated me lately. Finally, a series without cops, private detectives, crimes or murders. Don't get me wrong, I happen to love crime dramas especially good ones like British series Luther and Strike but they tend to overwhelm me sometimes. So if this series is not about cops and private detectives, what is it about? The answer is chefs. Yes, this series is not a crime drama but a restaurant drama about the shenanigans in a small but high end restaurant in Copenhagen named 'Vaerk'. Instead of bullets, be vary of flying knives.
Without revealing too much, the series is about Michael, the head chef of Vaerk ,who has worked hard and sacrificed a lot to build up the reputation and success of Vaerk over the years. He also considers the restaurant his home turf. In fact, he frequently sleeps there in his office. Although he maintains a good relationship with his boss, Vibeke, his assertive leadership style often causes friction between him and his subordinates. Things start to get interesting when unbeknownst to him, Vibeke decides to hire a new female sous-chef, Naja, to give the restaurant's image a face lift. From their very first meeting with each other, it becomes apparent to the viewer that these two are not going to get along well. Naja's modern views on management soon clashes with Michael's more traditional style and her emphasis on gender equality in the workplace seems to chaff the misogynistic Michael even more. Later, the animosity between them worsens when Michael discovers that the ambitious Naja is also eyeing to replace him as head chef . Eventually, this leads to a series of one-upmanship between them.
What I found appealing about this series is that it is not your typical battle of the sexes story with romantic overtones but instead a realistic (albeit exaggerated) commentary on men and women in the modern workplace. A relatable topic that is handled very delicately and intelligently here. Since all 8 episodes only lasts half hour, the story line is fast paced with no boring moments. In fact, the other reason I was attracted to this series is because of its short half hour episodes which I found easy to view instead of long episodes that are difficult to finish in one sitting especially on tired nights after work. The humor in this series is very tongue in cheek and the characters and their quirks well played by an established Danish cast (which I will talk about a little more below). Produced by Drive Studios, the series has a high quality look and feel to it.
Lastly, if you have seen the series, you would have noticed the names Julie Rudbaek and Jesper Zuschlag mentioned in the closing credits, the actress and actor who plays Naja and Michael. However, they are also both credited as writers for the series. After some digging around, I found out that this multi talented duo who are actors, screenwriters and directors themselves have collaborated before on many past projects such as the satire/comedy series '29', another highly rated and award winning series produced by Drive Studios. This series revolves around 2 high school friends in their late twenties/ early thirties who are still struggling with single life and career choices. Now in its fifth season and still on going, the series has garnered quite a following and can be found under the titles '30', '31', '32' and '33' which is apparently the age of the titular characters (rather cute and clever). The fifth season '33' premiered in January 2021. Unfortunately, I'm not sure whether this series is available on any major streaming platforms and whether it will be released with English subtitles. Which is a shame, really. If anyone has more information on this series, your contribution would be greatly appreciated. So, Rudbaek and Zuschlag, they are quite a big deal in Denmark and after this series I will be looking forward to more future content from them.
Final thoughts, this unassuming TV series has all the hallmarks of immersive TV and it deserves a view especially if you like an intelligent TV series with satirical comedy. For those who would like to know more about this series, I have provided links to a short review in English from Variety.com and a brief description in English of the series courtesy of DR Sales.
Yes, finally I'm revealing the first French TV series that had me hooked on the others ( please refer to my earlier posts on The Crimson Rivers and The Wagner Method ). This series which was first aired in France and Belgium in 2018 and later premiered on ACORN TV in 2019 (with English subtitles), concerns a brilliant but somewhat exasperating forensic pathologist, Raphael Balthazar (played excellently by popular actor Tomer Sisley), who teams up with police captain Helene Bach (played by actress Helene de Fougerolles) to solve some of the most complex murder cases. However, in Season 4, after the departure of actress Helene de Fougerolles, the character of Helene Bach was replaced by Captain Camille Costes (Constance Labbe). So far everything in my description about this series seems standard with other crime procedural series, right? Bur here's the twist, Balthazar sees and talks to the dead but only in his head (and not in a creepy way) and this includes his beloved late wife whose murder long ago still remains unsolved. He also talks to the ghosts of the deceased that lands up on his autopsy table to help him understand and solve their murders and secretly tries to solve the murder of wife which still haunts him. Now in its current fifth season, Balthazar has consistently been amongst the highest rated dramas in France and still remains ACORN TV's more popular series.
So what made me like this series? To be honest, I stumbled upon this series accidentally while there was a drought of really good investigative or crime dramas from the US and UK. During Covid, filming of many series were either canceled or delayed and the few that were aired were not to my liking. So I decided to give this series a try although I was at first apprehensive about viewing a foreign series with subtitles. But fortunately, the subtitles by ACORN were clear and spot on. Other factors that convinced me to give this series a try was that the show had a generally high rating from viewers, an accomplished cast and a very solid production. Now I am currently into the fourth season, so it is safe to say that this series did not disappoint but instead still holds an enduring appeal for me. I also have to thank this series for introducing me to other European TV series as my previous TV diet mainly consisted of US and UK series.
If you have read my previous post about The Crimson Rivers and The Wagner Mehod, you would know that both are also French series. While The Crimson Rivers is intensely dark in tone and The Wagner Method light and often humorous, Balthazar has a combination of both dark and light elements. The main protagonist, Raphael Balthazar, is often cheerful in his demeanor and often provides comic relief through his interactions and banter with Captain Bach/Costes, her squad and members of his own forensic team. However, underneath all his ego and bravado, he hides a lot of pain and darkness caused by the tragic death and murder of his wife. My final thoughts, this series is certainly worth a look and its high profile especially amongst European audiences makes it a suitable introduction if you're looking to venture into European TV Series for the first time. On a personal note, this series also showed me that sometimes speaking to our deceased loved ones (albeit in our head) is not lunacy really but perhaps a coping mechanism during our bereavement or a sign that we just miss them. I'm sure everyone wonders sometimes what our grandparents or parents would say or do if they were still here with us, right? Next, I will be talking about another series from Denmark, a first for me, so stay tuned.
ACORN TV has already released all five seasons (or series) of Balthazar on DVD. In addition to this, the episodes are also available on Amazon Prime. If you want to know more about this series, you can also check out the reviews for this series on Amazon which are mostly positive and enlightening. Links are below.
Lately, I have been doing some maintenance works on my website. Neglecting the blog for 9 years has somewhat caused my blog website to be run downed but thankfully it needed only a few touch ups. I also had to refresh my memory on how to undertake these repairs as it has been a long, long time but it is slowly coming back to me and now that its finished I can finally concentrate on posting more content instead.
I know that I promised to review another French TV Series and a Danish TV Series which I will do so next, but in this post, I thought I would take a break from my normal topics and mention 2 very incredible videos from National Geographic which I was lucky enough to view in YouTube. I'm not really a naturalist or a wild life enthusiast but my nephew really loves animals and both these recent footages from National Geographic are truly astonishing. The first rare video features a grandma orca whale and a great white shark, both apex predators, and is featured in Nat Geo's latest series QUEENS (narrated by Angela Basset) while the second video shot in January 2024 by Bertie Gregory features emperor penguin chicks and will be featured in Nat Geo's SECRETS OF franchise in 2025 (SECRETS OF THE PENGUINS). Both videos could not be more different from the other since the earlier video features 2 of the most feared predators in the animal kingdom while the second features the cutest and cuddliest creatures on earth but the message from both these videos are clear, despite advanced knowledge, science and technology, we as humans still have a lot to learn about this planet and all life in it. Really humbling in my opinion. Kudos to National Geographic for bringing these amazing footages to the general audience.
(Videos Courtesy of National Geographic)
A new and interesting clip for National Geographic QUEENS titled Protecting The Queendoms has recently appeared on YouTube. There is something about the dignified voice of Angela Basset that is so suitable for this series (aptly titled QUEENS). Thought I would share it here today.
(Video Courtesy of National Geographic)
For those interested, National Geographic QUEENS Season 1 is available on Amazon Prime. Link provided below.
As per my last post, I'm continuing with the review of another two of my favorite French series. Firstly, the series which I stumbled upon accidentally just recently but was pleasantly surprised with, The Wagner Method. This series is very, very different from the last French TV Series which I posted about, The Crimson Rivers. Although both are investigative series about crime and murder and were introduced to a wider English speaking audience in the UK by Walter Presents, this series is very light hearted and humorous in tone. Sometimes known under the title of "Cesar Wagner" , this series, which was first introduced in 2020, concerns a hypochondriac police captain, Cesar Wagner, who is transferred to Strasbourg, his hometown, where the mayor happens to be his own mother. The reason why this series appealed to me is because it constantly surprises you with the rather eccentric and unusual characters that populate it. You also cannot help but chuckle along with the humorous banter between the characters and the hilarious situations they get themselves into. However, all this humor juxtapose the serious and often complex murders and crimes that they investigate. Most comedic cop shows will usually trivialize or downplay the cases but there is no such sacrifice here. In this series, the cases that are investigated are both complex and diverse and warrants the equal attention of the viewer. The often volatile, funny and unique relationship between the two lead protagonists, Captain Wagner and Dr Elise Beaumont, a forensic pathologist for the police, also makes for interesting viewing. Both characters are portrayed excellently by Gil Alma and Olivia Cote and the high production value of the series is also a plus. However, I should mention here that there is an interesting and hilarious love triangle between Captain Cesar Wagner, Dr Elise Beaumont and Dr Arthur Weiss, a medical doctor who treats the hypochondriac Cesar. If you think that this is a standard love triangle of 2 guys vying for the girl, then think again :).
To be honest, I have never heard of this series before and happen to recently stumble upon the second season of the show accidentally but the first season of the show (which comprises of 5 episodes) was first shown in France in 2020, which was quite a while ago, and later premiered in the UK in 2022. The second season premiered in the UK in January 2024 and comprises of only 2 episodes. So I actually watched the second season first before the first season. Although I don't have any information on a third season, IMDB does list 2 episodes under a third season. So hopefully, there will be a future third season of this entertaining series. Does anyone know whether this series was previously aired in the US under PBS Masterpiece and has the third season already been aired in France? Currently, the first two seasons of this series is available in Amazon. Please note that each one and a half hour episode features a stand alone story and can be viewed as a mini TV movie. Final thoughts, this little known series deserves a look but I feel because it is not a high profile series and is not widely known outside France and Europe, this series is not able to garner a larger English speaking audience it deserves. Furthermore, the sporadic release date of its episodes and the delay in bringing them to the US and UK (which might be caused by Covid) makes this series difficult to be accessed especially by the English speaking audiences who rely on subtitles. Anyways, if you are looking for an intelligent and funny investigative series, this series comes highly recommended by me and for those who are looking for more French Detective TV Series, you can also check out my other posts onThe Crimson RiversandBalthazar.
Since this series is not widely available outside Europe, I have provided links below to Amazon Prime for those who are interested in viewing both seasons with English Subtitles (courtesy of PBS Masterpiece).
Sorry, off topic here, but I would just like to mention in my blog that this month is also Autism Awareness Month for 2024. If you have any loved ones who are autistic then you would understand how very special they are but for those who don't then I hope you will spare a thought for them and be more aware in our busy daily lives of the presence of these special individuals. This is especially true for autistic kids who grow up to be autistic teens and finally adults with aging parents. More kindness, empathy and understanding goes a long way not only for those who are autistic or disabled but for everyone and sometimes just being a friend is enough. Recently I caught a viral video of a boy (I'm not sure whether he is autistic) on YouTube and it really touched me. Thought I would like to share it here today cause it sends an important message to everyone on the often overlooked power of friendship.
After a long hiatus of nearly 9 years (last post in October 2015), I thought it would be great to start posting in my blog again. After Covid and numerous lockdowns, I'm sure many of us are now more aware of the importance of having some home interest(s). As for me, mine shall always be films, mostly TV series and the occasional movie. But I'm here today to talk more about some foreign or non English TV series that I have recently discovered. Lately, with Netflix and some cable networks introducing many foreign language series in their lineup, I was fortunate enough to catch a few gems namely some French TV Series and recently quite a good one from Denmark. Firstly, a TV series based on the similarly titled movie The Crimson Rivers (2000) starring Jean Reno & Vincent Cassel and the book Blood Red Rivers by Jean-Christophe Grange. Regretfully, I have not gotten around to viewing the movie, but I was very taken with the TV version of it which lasted 4 Seasons. I really don't know whether there will be any more future seasons of this series since the lead actor Olivier Marchal who is now 65 years old might not be reprising his role as Commissioner Pierre Niemans since he believes that he would not be convincing enough playing a police officer out in the field at this age. A replacement actor, maybe? Interestingly enough, Marchal was a real life policeman prior to becoming an actor/writer/director/producer.
Anyways, this series which was first introduced to a widely English speaking audience in the UK by Walter Presents in 2019 is not only high quality in terms of production value (a joint effort between France, Belgium & Germany) but also in its writing and character portrayals. Both the lead actors who play the main protagonists have great chemistry and a believable camaraderie. The series centers on Commissioner Pierre Niemans, an older police officer with an almost legendary reputation, who now heads the Central Office Against Crimes of Blood (OCCS) in Paris. Often brash and disrespectful of hierarchy and protocols, he teams up with his former student, Lieutenant Camille Delaunay, played by Belgian actress Erika Sainte, to solve some of the most perplexing and grisly crimes and murders. The serious and grey tone of the show, which deals mainly with gruesome deaths and deranged killers, is usually offset by the warm relationship and humorous banter between the main protagonists which closely mirrors the relationship between a father and daughter. I find this angle to be very refreshing instead of the usual romantic relationship explored between two main leads in many cop shows. The fact that both characters, which are perfectly portrayed by Marchal and Sainte, have deep trust, affection and admiration for one another, makes one optimistic that despite insurmountable odds or dire situations, there is still always hope because they have each other. As for the cases presented in each episode, they are often thought provoking, unexpected (each case is very dissimilar) and in different settings as they often travel to different locations for their investigations. Please note that each episode features a different case and can be considered a stand alone TV movie unless it is a 2 episode story arc and that each season comprises of only 8 episodes. If you are looking for an intelligent investigative/crime series which is somewhat different from the norm, this series is worth checking out. You might be pleasantly surprised like me. Next, I will be mentioning two more French TV Series which I recently enjoyed watching and a TV series from Denmark which is a first for me but which I think is also worth mentioning so stay tuned.
Note (2nd June 2024) : Those interested in exploring other French Detective TV Series can check out my other posts on The Wagner Method and Balthazar. Both of these series also comes highly recommended by me.
For those who are interested in this highly addictive series, you can watch all four seasons with English Subtitles, courtesy of PBS Masterpiece, on Amazon Prime (link provided below). A word of warning, the series is more geared towards a mature audience.
