Utselevshie

I nearly gave up as the series was extremely complicated to get into. The Russian names (including patronymics) were also difficult to assimilate. Things got better by the third episode and it got easier to follow.

There were ludicrous plot twists and cliffhangers. People were rescued from death at the last moment or by coincidence. The baddies had a knack of being one step ahead all the time and of disappearing in the teeth of major dragnets. At one point a suicide vest made by a master bombmaker was disarmed by simply ripping the wires out. In any real world, this would have made it go off.

The actual murderer was clearly not the person blamed and there were no real clues as to who it was. However, the actions of one character towards the end of episode seven made it clear who they were.

During this tale of gangsters and revenge, a love story develops and paternal feelings are aroused. None of it is very plausible. Nor is the investigation by Internal Affairs and the lack of communication and downright obstruction on both sides.

I watched it all. Parts had me chortling at the ridiculousness of what was happening on screen and other parts were convincing. It's a way to while away a few hours without having to think too hard. I tried to guess who the original murderer was but it was hopeless until there was a proper clue as mentioned above and then it was obvious. I therefore advise people to watch with their brains disengaged.