370. Web-series Reviews – 185

More web-series reviews…

The Brokenwood Mysteries – Running from 2014 with 10 completed seasons till 2024.  Detective Inspector Mike Shepherd is good at his job but bad with relationships. When he comes to the city of Brokenwood to solve a crime he falls in love with it and decides to stay, but soon Shepherd begins to collide with Detective Kristen Sims.

A review from IMDB...

I have given The Broken Wood Mysteries a 9 out of 10.

For me this is extremely rare, it's not often something catches my attention and keeps it, as well as Broken Wood does.

The main Actors in this excellent series, Neill Rea (plays Mike Shepherd) and Fern Sutherland (plays Kristin Simms) have a wonderful Father - Daughter type relationship, which is not only quite charming but also is really wonderful to see.

Despite working in close quarters, as indeed Police officers would do in real life. There is no suggestion of an improper relationship between the two.

It's Reassuring in a way, as today so many TV series actually live on and many survive only, on the sexual suggestion regardless of age gap.

Below, I happened upon a comment which alleges that this show is misogynist, because of a rather light hearted few scenes in the first series. You see, Mike Shepherd and another detective politely refuse coffee, when Simms offers to make some for all three.

Apparently, it's now a Sin to refuse a cup of coffee from a colleague, IF that colleague happens to be female!

It's refreshing, dare I say, decent family viewing. It however, does not take itself absolutely serious, there are often comedic, if not comedy cringe incidents between Mike Shepherd and the Russian M. E. Gina KADINSKY (played by Cristina Serbian Ionda).

Mike is the Love interest of M. E. Gina, which results in both indearing, touching and cringe worthy moments which induce bouts of laughter. I won't go further to avoid spoilers.

Rea is an exceptional Actor, who is comfortable dealing one moment with Simms and the very next with M. E. Gina, sometimes both at the same time. How he manages to play the senior / Father figure with Simms and immediately turn on the comedic role with M. E. Gina is hard to explain, yet he does it extremely well!.

I would be in stitches of laughter or sincerely stern, absolutely certainly and without doubt, at exactly the wrong time, each time.

It works, in fact it works extremely well!. It deserves much more recognition that it has so far, but as is often the case, it's after such a great series ends when admiration of the Actors skills comes to light.

I find little to criticise about The Broken Wood Mysteries, except perhaps, the seasons are way too short and each season, has far too few episodes!.

There are Very Few TV Series where one complains about too few episodes, for sure!.

BUT the Broken Wood Mysteries in my humble opinion, Is That Good!.

To Conclude, Wonderful Trio of exceptionally good Actors!, Delightful Script Writing (quality writing), wonderful Scenery which shows delightfully the beauty of New Zealand.

My Take – An excellent series. Finished all the 10 seasons😊!

Brinda – Came out in 2024.  A police officer becomes a ray of hope in the darkness of injustice and crime. While investigating, she unfolds various mysteries which challenge the longstanding societal beliefs and rituals. A story about fighting for good against evil.

A review from IMDB...

When you see big names associated with a series, it grabs your attention. The same happened with this one for me, and I binge-watched it.

A police officer with minimal support from her department investigates a crime that opens up a serial murder case, leading to the formation of a new team to crack it. The story revolves around how this investigation includes her past and unravels various mysteries along the way.

The plot is good, and the way everything is interconnected makes it a riveting watch. However, the series' length is a major drawback as it lags at many points. This 8-episode series should have been shortened to 6 episodes for a crisper and more engaging narrative. The suspense can be guessed easily, which diminishes its impact, though the motive of the crime somewhat compensates for it.

Trisha, in the central role as a police officer, does complete justice to her character. She embodies the persona of an officer well. Indrajith Sukumaran is a performer, and he plays his part decently. Ravindra Vijay is equally good as a police officer.

There are plenty of cinematic liberties that are not expected from a series like this. Despite being sharp-minded police officers, they often miss the obvious. The BGM and credit montage are brilliant. The cinematography is good as it adds to the feel of the story.

It could have been an engaging watch, but sadly, it is lengthy, turning it into an average affair. Watch it if you love investigation series.

My Take – Worth a watch!

 

The Turkish Detective – Came out in 2023. Follows Inspector Cetin Ikmen, his partner Mehmet Suleyman, and Detective Ayse Farsakoglu as they solve crimes in the modern world of Turkey.

A review from IMDB...

"The Turkish Detective" (2023) is a gripping series that not only delves into intriguing mysteries but also offers a vivid portrayal of Istanbul. With its well-chosen cast and impressive visuals, the series stands out in its genre.

Without giving too much away, the story revolves around Mehmet (Ethan Kai), a detective transferred from the UK, who navigates the complex and often challenging landscape of crime in Istanbul. The series does an excellent job of intertwining the city's unique cultural aspects with its crime-solving narrative.

The acting in "The Turkish Detective" is commendable, with each character bringing depth and authenticity to their roles. The visual storytelling is another high point, capturing the essence of Istanbul beautifully. The soundtrack, carefully selected, enhances the overall mood and tone of the series, complementing the storyline perfectly.

A memorable moment is when the Detective Ikmen (Haluk Bilginer) says, "Welcome to Istanbul," effectively summarizing the intricate workings of Turkey's system and setting the stage for the narrative.

While I overall enjoyed the series, there was a notable concern regarding the language used. In scenes involving Mehmet, almost every character speaks fluent English, which seems unrealistic and detracts from the authenticity of the setting. This aspect could be improved to maintain the series' realistic vibe.

Despite this, the portrayal of Istanbul, with its stunning views and cultural depth, is exceptionally well done. It adds a layer of authenticity and charm to the series.

"The Turkish Detective" is fun for those who enjoy crime dramas with a strong sense of place and culture. The series requires a bit of patience, so I recommend giving it a chance for a couple of episodes. The journey through Istanbul's mysteries is well worth it.

My Take – An excellent series!

Cheers till next time😊!