March 2, 2024: The Crime Binge continues!

Undercover (2019 – ) Season 2

Kim’s investigation into illegal Syrian weapons trade leads her to the El Dorado Ranch, a western horse ranch where Bob goes undercover to earn the trust of the brothers Berger, ranch owners & arms dealers.

My thoughts: As much as I enjoyed season 1, season 2 is a let-down as the action shifts to a Country-themed riding school and bar in the Belgian hinterlands.  There’s something inherently silly about Europeans in cowboy hats, especially when they’re villains we’re supposed to fear.

3/5

Save Me (2018 – 2022) Season 2

Nelly hasn’t rested trying to find his missing daughter Jody, he won’t give up, and he will do anything to find out what happened. Discovering things about him and those around him, things he never imagined.

My thoughts: Season 1 was, I thought, a perfect standalone season and while the second season does detract from its near perfection, Lennie James’ return as a father determined to rescue his missing daughter is no less compelling.

4/5

Undercover (2019 – ) Season 3

Hoping to turn his life around, Bob takes on a dangerous undercover mission to root out a police mole, but his path once again crosses with Ferry Bouman.

My thoughts: Mobster Ferry Bouman takes center stage in the show’s third season, becoming an unlikely ally in a bid to Tom Waes’ Bob Lemmens, and its a ton of fun.

4.5.5

Arctic Circle/Ivalo (2018 – ) Season 1

A detective and a virologist pursue an unusual investigation that places them on the wrong side of the law.

My thoughts: Whenever they slip into English, the dialogue gets pretty cheesy.  Pair this with clunky plotting and dubious character interactions and you have a show I could not get through.

DNF

Sweet/Vicious (2016 – 2017)

Hell-bent on bringing justice to those who get away with abuse on their college campus, Jules and Ophelia take on double lives as wannabe vigilantes.

My thoughts: Well damn.  I love the premise and really wanted to like this one, but, in the end, it just feels like a light-weight MTV show – overly quippy, with a silliness that undermines any genuine stakes or drama.

2.5/5