Riviera

I am enjoying this series 8 episodes in it is really good. The conspiracy and intrigue is very well served on the screen. The sets are more than magnificent and the actors are doing a great job. Watch it and you won't regret it, quality smart series. It reminds me of "The Night Manager" and I think the rating here should be a lot higher than it is now.

First half:

A slowly unravelling mystery around a rich art dealers death seen through his widows eyes. Very enticing plot development and pace, great settings, outfits, direction, editing etc.

Second half:

A bit of a mess that never recovers. Im not sure if all the episodes where written by the same people and didn't bother to check. But the second half of the series was seriously lacking in all above mentioned areas, except setting and outfits which didn't change. Not much made sense, and the quality of the whole show plummeted to a cable channel daytime soap opera level.

Watch it if you have nothing to kill some time with, or leave it on in the background while you make use of your time otherwise. Don't expect any brilliant twists or a great ending.

Let's be clear: Rivera is not a masterpiece neither is what you would call "an art show". Thanks to a pretty envolving plot and a wonderful mise en place it's a show you can perfectly enjoy unpretentiously. Its strong point is certainly the photography and the breathtaking locations of the French Riviera, that unfolds between cover villas and luxury cars and yachts.

I define it a "summer" show because it's definetly one of those show you can enjoy in summer, when after lunch the weather it's too hot to do anything.

No matter how flawed and chaotic it is ... it is one of those few shows that actually shows you wealth..also give me a feeling of nostalgia cause it reminds me of the soap operas of the 90s ..... it is all so lavish and the locations are to die for ........ I got attached to the Clios family to each and every one of them and the actors really brought them to life ... and even though it all went down the hill in season 2 .. it is still one of my fav wealthy families on TV...in my book it is much better than famous shows >>>>revenge... gossip girl and the OC all of which were unwatchable for me

I have just watched all 10 episodes back to back and really enjoyed,it from start to finish,beautiful locations,a decent story line ,Julia stiles(Bourne movies) played her role really well,and what a change of role for Iwan Rheon,(Game of Thrones),overall some parts of the series could have been better,but well worth watching,would love to see a second season.