Arcadia

I came to this with no real great hopes but was drawn in almost immediately. I'd watched a Norwegian series about a "Dome" a few months ago and was worried that this would be similar - the Norwegian series was really a kids' adventure.

This was altogether darker and much more interesting. The several themes meshed together perfectly - cheating to keep points, circumventing tracking, helping those not entitled, going "outside".

Some motivations and events strained credulity, particularly the forays outside. I don't believe that in such a highly regimented society that people going offline too often wouldn't have been caught or at the least suspected. However, in the main, scenarios had their own inner logic commensurate with the story.

I hadn't known that a second season had already been made. I have to get it as there was a huge cliffhanger at the end of Season One. I'm dying to see how it all works out.

And this series has everything right. From architecture, safety nudging (deuren sluiten) marketing, even children's books (Lientje is een tientje) the tapistry of detail never stops. EVERYTHING is just right. This level of detail is what netflix and Hollywood completely lost and is only possible in indie or European production. There are no USoA viewers who can appreciate this as they judge video productions by their own narrow standards.

Acting is totally onpar and above. I'm dutch but never realised so much talent in Belgium (Vlamingen that is). A great world is created sometimses Tarkovskian, sometimes GATTACA or Blade Runner. I anticipate a British production of The Wall.

The story line could have turned into a nice sci-fi but unfortunatelly besides that everything else went wrong. The acting is poor and reminds you of kids doing an act for a school-play. The environment is 'too well' thought off therefore unbelieveable. It's hard to feel any emotion because nothing seems believeable. I gave it a four because of the efforts taken but the result is more like a two. It really could have been a nice serie to watch with a bit more reality content and some humour. Now its a waiste of time and money. And also a waiste for the very few good actors like Monique. Sorry Johnnythepony, learn and get better.

One of the best Flemish/Dutch series ever!!!! I am not really a fan of Belgian series but this is mind blowing. Very interesting characters, good story, beautiful decor, good actors,... The series keeps you busy thinking about it, with lots of surprises inside the storyline. You can talk and talk and talk about it for hours, how things go, what theory is behind everything. Never a bored moment. The ending episode is amazing, just keeps you with your mouth open, surprised,...and waiting and counting down to the next season. Arcadia is a must watch serie. I hope there will be a season two as soon as possible.

Must see because it raises many questions how to act or not to act in a dictatorial regime being chosing between family or obedience to the regime. Maybe a lot of you will say " seen that already" but I already saw a lot of films on this issue though this is different and shows well the personal struggle you make in different circumstances. The setting is dark and grey adding the right sphere for this series with a good music score. Very good acting and you feel involved to each character. I'm looking forward to seeing the next season because there was also a good cliffhanger at the end of the first season.