This original police story, loosely reminiscent of Fargo, includes strong female characters (some pregnant), hard-core (some inept) criminals, with plenty of beautiful Quebecoise culture and slang thrown into the mix.
Season 1 kicks off with a triple homicide and the introduction of most of the key characters. This can be a bit challenging to follow, but the story quickly unfolds for viewers to understand the inter/connections between the local police constabulary, "big city" crime unit investigators, former-biker and small-time criminals, and their loved-ones.
Focused on a central female lead, the talented Isabelle Blais, the story is set on her life as a police constable solving serious crimes and on the challenges she faces in her private life as a caring single mom juggling work and her children (and her aging father and her ex-husband).
Watch out for those beautiful cinematographic moments in every episode introduction, and for those story nuggets of comedic criminal folly.
I recommend Season 1 for anyone interested in a good crime story, and especially for advanced French language learners (level B2 or higher). I give Fait Divers Season1 a 5/5 for enhancing French language and PQ culture learning:
a. Language level: Layperson/common language conversation
b. Conversation pace: Fast paced
c. Use of slang: Conversation includes slang
d. Cultural insights: Rural vs urban conflicts, central female roles
e. General interest: Engaging crime/police story.
