Tweekums

This Swiss crime drama opens with a woman being arrested after the shooting of a man in his home. He is in a critical condition. She is Anne Dupraz, a respected Geneva prosecutor, she does not deny her guilt. Under interview we learn that she had, many years before, been in a relationship with the man; which she described as toxic. A case involving a severed finger found at a pizzeria he owned brought them back together. She recused herself from the case but became convinced he was trying to force his way back into her life... and possibly that of her daughter.

I thought this was an interesting drama. With its action split between the present, much of it in police interview rooms, and the past in an effective way. The more we learn about the past the more we can sympathise with her actions and understand her not coming straight out with key details. The cast does a fine job bringing their characters to life in a nicely understated way that suits the story. Similarly it is shot in an effective, not overly dramatic way. There are moments of violence, these are disturbing rather than exciting but not overly gory. I was pleased that the story was wrapped up in six episodes so we weren't left waiting to for further seasons. Overall I'd recommend this to fans of Euro crime drama.

These comments are based on watching the series in French with English subtitles.

This Italian crime drama is set in pre-war Naples. At its centre is Police Commissioner Ricciardi; he is a member of the aristocracy but foregoes the upper class life to work as a policeman. He is unusual in another way; he sees the ghosts or those who have been killed and whose murders are unresolved. Each ninety minute episode features a new case although various background plots continue throughout the series. These include the increasingly threatening appearance of black-shirted fascists on the streets and potential romance as two very different women enter our protagonist's life. The cases are varied; including the murder of a top opera star and a poor orphan boy living in poverty.

I thought this series was really entertaining and certainly quite different to most crime dramas. Having Ricciardi see ghosts could have been a bit of a distraction but it works surprisingly well... it helps that he only sees them near the location of the crime, where they constantly repeat their final thoughts. The cases are nicely varied; bringing our protagonist into contact with all strata of society. The politics of the time is dealt with well; early on we have hints about not upsetting the powers that be but letter the threat becomes more obvious. The characters are interesting; most obviously Ricciardi but also his dogged sergeant and obsequious boss within the police and the ladies in his life. The cast does a fine job bringing these characters to life. Overall I'd recommend this to fans of Euro crime drama looking for something a bit different but not particularly gritty. I hope we don't have to wait too long for the second season to air here.

These comments are based on watching the series in Italian with English subtitles.

This series opens in a forest in East Germany in 1973 where a girl is attacked. The action then moves to 1993; The Wall has come down and Germany is reunited and the body of a recently murdered girl is found in the woods. She is found on a bed of rowan flowers and has runes cut into her skin. Local detective Ulkike Bandow is put in charge of the case. She is partnered with Koray Larssen who has just transferred to the area from the west. As the investigation proceeds dark secrets from the past are uncovered including some that are close to home for our leads.

I thought this was a really solid six part crime drama. It has a great atmosphere with a dark fairy tale feel... bad things happening near a cabin in the woods and even a 'big bad wolf'! There is a good sense of danger and the personal parts of the story give the characters depth rather than detracting from the investigation. The cast does a solid job, especially Henriette Confurious and Fahri Yardim as the two protagonists. Overall I'd recommend this to fans of Euro-crime looking for something a bit different.

These comments are based on watching the series in Dutch with English subtitles.