Braquo (2019 – 2016) Season 1  

A dark realistic cop series follows a squad of Paris cops who exist in the blurred boundaries at the very edge of the law, often using violence and intimidation to get the job done.

My thoughts: France’s answer to The Shield.  Gritty and fast-paced.  Terrific.

4.5/5

The Stranger (2020)

Follows the lives of suburban families whose secrets and lies are made public by the appearance of a stranger.

My thoughts: Setting up a mystery is the easy.  Paying it off is the hard part – as this series demonstrates in its nonsensical denouement.

2.5/5

Deadloch (2023)

A feminist noir comedy set against a bucolic backdrop with a rising body count.

My thoughts: Went in with muted expectations but ended up pleasantly surprised.  Although the social commentary attains levels of absurdity late in the season, it’s a lot of fun.

4/5

Spiral/Engrenages (2005 – 2020) Season 1

Follows criminal investigations in Paris from all the different points of view of those involved.

My thoughts: Gripping, at times surprisingly dark, character-forward crime show.

4/5

Blanca (2021 – ) Season 2

Blanca, a blind profiler, comes back to Genova, her hometown. A difficult case forces her to remain and to face with her mysterious past. Based on books by Patrizia Rinaldi.

My thoughts: At times, it’s all sorts of silly, yet Maria Chiara Giannetta’s performance is so damn charming it makes you willing to forgive some of the shortcomings in the writing.

4/5

Catching a flight tomorrow morning.  See you in Montreal!