June 24, 2024: The Crime Binge continues!

Umbre (2014 – 2019) Season 3

Umbre follows Relu, an enforcer for a small-time mob boss, as he struggles to keep his family in the dark about his job. The secrets Relu keeps become increasingly oppressive and the lies begin to surface.

My thoughts: The third and final season caps this series is grand style, with some great revelations, unexpected twists, a shocking demise, and one of my very favorite endings that includes this gorgeous (NO SPOILERS) closing sequence to Yeah Yeah Yeahs’ “Heads Will Roll”.

5/5  Absolutely no notes!

Gomorrah (2014 – 2021) Season 1

Ciro disregards tradition in his attempt to become the next boss of his crime syndicate. The internal power struggle puts him and his entire family’s life at risk.

My thoughts: The grand-daddy of Italian mob shows is probably as dark as it gets.  Heavy on the mayhem and melodrama, but great character dynamics.

4.5/5

Fauda (2015 – 2022) Season 1

The human stories on both sides of the Israel-Palestine conflict.

My thoughts: Hmmmm.  This one came very highly recommended, but I couldn’t past the first episode that saw the “good guys” execute the sloppiest of ops, crash a wedding, hold a woman hostage, then shoot a guy who tries to rescue her – in the back.  Later, our hero chases down another suspect and shoots him in the back as well.  Your mileage may vary.

3/5

Criminal: Spain (2019) 1 season

Psychological games abound between detectives and suspects in a tense interrogation room, where the search for answers sometimes comes at a moral cost.

My thoughts: The Spanish version of the Criminal franchise follows in the underwhelming footsteps of its English and French counterparts, delivering a perfectly average drama.

3/5

Criminal: Germany (2019) 1 season

In the interview room, detectives go head-to-head with suspects and try to get to the truth – even if it means breaking the rules and risking it all.

My thoughts: Finally, the Criminal franchise gets it right, delivering on the promise of its premise with a compelling interrogation that actually builds in suspense and pays off its set-ups in satisfying fashion.

4/5

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