Fauda

I'm amazed at how the Israelis can make such high level series like this, dealing with such intense subjects relating to dealing with the Palestinians, but still manage to be fairly even-handed and treat both sides sympathetically - even terrorists. I think it's this that makes Fauda so good. Yes, you're on the side of the Israeli team - sort of their undercover SAS squad dealing with Palestinian terrorists - but you also see the other side's viewpoint. Fauda is violent and action-packed, but all the characters, on both sides, have depth and believability. Watched all three series in a couple of weeks. Well worth the time.

There are too many films and series about the Israeli Mosad and IDF to go into. Suffice it to say this one simply tries to throw in every known cliche and just comes off bland. It is almost a parody of itself in that only the israelis could have the lead of a balding, obese hairy middle-aged man be the love interest to a hot professional, younger Arab woman. It is unapologetic about killing Arab civilians in the course of their operations from the beginning of the episode. So, if you like watching creepy israelis having sex with their subordinates/co-workers' wives, all while killing Arabs, then this is your wet dream.

There is a story to tell from both sides and I clearly see that in this series.

Acting is really done well, effects are good. I keep on watching since the story is tense.

Fauda is a very intense and rough show about the Israeli - Palestinian conflict. No side is a saint or hero. All means and methods are used from both sides. Sometimes with success and sometimes big failure. Terrorism, revenge, fight for injustice, all causes are there.

The show is very well produced with a nerve and authentic feel that is not present in similar US productions.

The characters are strong and very well performed by actors and actresses, unknown to me but nevertheless stellar performances.

Key character is Doron, an undercover Israeli agent that is both prudent privately and ruthless as a professional. But he is often held back by his own emotional turmoil, impulsively guided by his natural instincts and careless maneuvers.

Also the acting and development of the character Walid, on the Palestinian side, is absolutely splendid.

The action is constantly there and it is impossible to predict what is going to happen next. This really brings an intensity and always keeping you on the edge. Still it feels natural and not overdone.

The show has been critisized for being Isreeli propaganda. It is an Israeli production so it might be a small bias here, but still there are good people and bad people on both sides. And both sides can be totally ruthless without any sense of moral and ethics. So all in all the show is a great two-sided portrait of this ongoing conflict. It is very intense and unique because you see both sides of the conflict.

A very refreshing alternative to traditional US action productions. Don't miss Fauda!

I just finished watching season 3, and in short, it is a good series that depict the life in both Israel and Palestine, like what they eat, their culture and traditions. So in the beginning, you feel hopeful that Israelis want to learn from Arabs and vice versa, but then, the series become very cyinical, when in fact the only reason they "learn each other language and culture" is to creates pain and sorrow.

I wanted to root for the Shin Bet team headed by Doron, but I couldn't. The lack of morals and restraint when inmocent Palestinians are involved, just show how imbalanced this war is. They have no policy of taking prisoners. They simply shoot to kill, even enemies that already surrendered.

Also, they recruit informanta and collaborators among Palestinians, who endanger themselves to help Israelis, but Israel never helps or rescues them, so normally they end up dead.

And another irony, is that the more terrorist they kill, the more replacements they create, because all the orphans, siblings that become destitute and homeless (it shows Israel blowing up houses of innocent people), so in the end offering their life to Hamas is the only resource left.

The show missed an opportunity to show how to de escalate the conflict. In the end, it jsut fuels more hate and sectarianism