The Sea Beyond

In the series we often speak in Neapolitan dialect and many actors are unknown.

This thing in the first few episodes could lead us to give lower ratings than necessary.

But once the first impact is made, the plot grabs you and you realize that these young "non-professional" actors are really good. Certainly many of them play parts that are congenial to them and perhaps they would not be able to do as well in other roles but this does not detract from the wonderful acting of this work.

As you go along you can't help but continue with the next episode and now I'm waiting for the new season to come out.

Even in Italy we know how to do beautiful things, even with not all professional actors and even when the budget is not millionaires.

Well done, really good everyone.

This is a story - not only that characters are fictional as stated but I am fully aware , even if I am neither Neapolitan nor Italian, that situations and relationships among them are not even close to realistic.

But that's not the point. Because it's a story - about the most profound of human experiences, especially when lived at a tender age, it is a story about love and friendship and devotion, about hate and violence , about joy and pain, about the warmth of an embrace when in the depths of despair, about choices, about courage and meekness, about weakness, about redemption and growth, acceptation and reject, about the complexity of human's inner being, about selflessness, about winning battles - with others and with yourself. There's a whole bestiary deployed to impersonate these themes as characters are interestingly making us think of the relations in the animal world: there are dogs (Pino, Filippo, even if of different breed), a panther (Skubra) and a splendid wolf (Carmine), a sheep (Gemma), a nightingale (Naditza), a snake (Viola), a lion (Ciro), a bear (Massimo), a monkey (Toto) and a rooster (Eduardo), all bathed in the beauty of the Italian scenery - what would one want more? Applauses to Massimiliano Caiazzo, Pia Lanciotti and Valentina Romani for captivating the screen and creating so colourful characters!

A downside (in my opinion) : as it unfolds, the serie frequently abbandons its characters leaving stories open-ended after having invested a lot of energy in, leaving the public in a quite consumming sort of quest for an end.

One more thing: having made this serie during those dark years (from 2020 on) it is remarcable how it pleas for freedom, breaking the rules, not losing morality and stay on the truth's side while cherishing relationships above everything. Maybe, in the spirit of the serie, it was the boldest act of all.

The show explores themes of loyalty, identity, redemption, trauma, and how these young people navigate a harsh system. In my opinion, this isn't for everyone--but if you want to see a different cultural setting and what teen incarceration looks like with a "coming-of-age under extreme pressure" element, it's worth watching.

Some may say it's exaggerated and unrealistic, which might be true, but these things do happen in real life--we just don't always know about them. The first two seasons might feel dragged and a bit boring at times, but it really picks up in Season 3. You can clearly notice the shift in directing, camera work, production design, colour grading--even the script, acting, and soundtrack have improved. I'm glad I didn't give up.

The series has become a pop-culture phenomenon in Italy. It's gritty--set in a juvenile detention centre--so it's more adult in tone despite featuring younger characters.

P. S. I usually watch it in its original audio with subtitles because I couldn't stand the English dub, but I noticed it got better in Season 3 as well. And Netflix, I need Season 5 now.

I really enjoyed season 1, and found it to be really addictive, like the best prison dramas. The dramatic pull was so strong that I could easily suspend my disbelief at all the crazy goings on. However, they cranked up the melodrama in season 2 beyond my what I could handle, so I dropped it after episode 4. The death of a key character at a significant moment in a very suspicious manner, and the operatic, slow motion reactions to it was one of the last straws. I wish the creative staff had practiced a little more restraint and tastefulness. However, their strategy seems to have paid off, at least in the Italian market, even if it doesn't displeases someone like me. I'm glad I watched season 1 though.

The more I watch this series, the more I love it! I'm a social worker on an abuse hotline and have always cared about protecting the unprotected at any age. Youth who get into real trouble often lack the skills to cope with the myriad of issues that populate this series. The workers at this imaginary institution are very familiar to me. Often dedicated, caring without decent pay, and always at the brink of burnout. Bravo 🙌 for finding actors and actresses that bring us into this world of violence, sadness, remorse, and ultimately hope for the youth who are able to find their way to peace.

Thank you 🙏 for this fabulous series!