Mazhor

The whole police procedural aside, this is an intimate look into the heart of Russian passion. The camera loves the lead actor. Is it a Russian thing that he can convey a thousand words with just a look and snort and that you want to cry when he gives the camera that self- depreciating smirk that says the world has broken his heart again, but he doesn't care because he is a survivor. Fun. Funny. Informing of all things Russian. A must see

This is a brilliant thriller/police drama that will make you cry and laugh. THe characters are brilliantly crafted and unique but also typical Russians. You feel for them, empathize and identify their joy, sadness, fear, etc.

The first season I would give only 6 stars but the second season upped it, the cinematography, the slick editing, the masterful performances. This will thoruroghly entertain you and keep you at times laughing or tearful. It is gritty at times and also intriguing. Second season is a real work of art - Looking forward to Season 3

I'm guessing most of the Netflix audience might think they should avoid anything from Russia, well, they're missing out, big time. The biggest draw here is definitely the main lead, Pavel Priluchnyy as Igor, the son of a super-rich oligarch. The guy's got a great ability to conjure up a spoiled young man who drives a Corvette but is simultaneously impressive and easy to relate to, believe it or not. This actor is as good as our best young stars, maybe better.

But for me his immediate supervisor, Karina Razumovskaya as Victoria, is just as good, if not even better. What I realized after a few episodes is, she is more real and convincing than any of our current crop of American women in authority, but I'm having a hard time pinpointing why. I guess when she considers what she should have her men do next, you can see the wheels turning in her beautiful eyes. All I know is having seen quite a few of these episodes, there's an odd grasp of reality at play here that's woefully missing from our own mixed gender cop shows.

Honestly, I look forward to seeing new episodes more than I do our usual TV fare. I highly recommend this view from the other side.

Never watched anything with subtitles before then I watched the first episode and binge watched the rest. I am just on second time round of watching.

This is obviously not very realistic. If you're only watching it with subtitles, it's basically a waste of time. In Russian, you get the nuances of insults, humor, cynicism and so on. Story itself is powerful but weak. Plenty if plot holes and unrealistic expectations, but what did you expect.

In the end, it's enjoyable but forgettable. I wouldn't rewatch it, but enjoyed initial one. Funniest line is when he was about to signup prenup, instead of countering it with his own terms, he signs in and say that's Russian way or something like that. Upon seeing that, his future bride's father, takes it and throws it in the trash and says, no, that's the Russian way.

Enjoy the ride, while it lasts, cause u'll forget it once it's done.