Code 37

I watched this in 2019 in the 'Walter Presents' All4 strand. The actors (some recognisable from the excellent 'Professor T') do well with often difficult material; especially the vile suspects! Unsophisticated interview room techniques from the 1970's 'The Sweeney', and absent defence lawyers,mean the cases would fail in UK courts, but the character interplay is entertaining... and, after 'Tabula Rasa', I just love Veerle Baetens, a sexy yet credible boss figure in this drama. The highly negative review claims she screams, but she doesn't.

If you like punchy police, crime drama, this is for you. The lead actors are all excellent and believable. The detail is good and their mannerisms, eating habits etc... pretty much what you might expect. That is, not pretty but accurate! Some stories are a little too similar to others, but overall a good watch!

The other reviews say it all, I just had to say how I loved this!

The main characters develop wonderfully almost to the point of being a superhero team, one with fags, sexism, fluid sexuality, diets entirely of fast food, and who all spatter the series with very realistic emotional fallout.

The storylines vary on all levels, with the bigger story thread running through that will draw you to binge watch. But it is more the interplay of the characters, the realism and the humour that makes this series stand out.

It's got the feel of a very good version of The Sweeney and some other top cop dramas of the same era, very much updated and fresh but with remnants of the 70s.

Although being a fan of Scandi Noir, from time to time, I am eager to widen my horizon and find out what is going on in other (European) countries vis-a-vis crime series. As I liked Belgian Salamander-series, I was referred to Code 37 - and became excited from the very beginning.

True, not all episodes are equally interesting and accomplished, sometimes I guessed the wrongdoer's's person and motives too soon, but the general atmosphere, combination of case-by-case and recurrent revenge and mystery and the beautiful panorama of Ghent make all the 3 seasons a whole, to be watched in sequence, not sporadically (at first, I thought that I would stick to Season 1 only, but I was interested to see the final solution which, however, could have been more sophisticated). And the topic of prostitution and related phenomena is depicted in a realistic manner, with far more minuses than pluses - if there is any glamour or wealth involved, then it is fake, concealing lots of serious issues.

But the most pleasant component of this series is the characters and cast, even when/if with some clichés and fathomable approaches. To me,Veerle Baetens and Hannah Maes and Gilles De Schryver as Kevin Desmet were the most interesting; the inclusion of several Wat als? actors in supporting roles was also a pleasant diversity - as their parts here were far from amusing or humorous.

Thus, a good series, making me willing to visit Ghent again - after several decades. Recommended, unless you are a strong supporter or frequent customer of prostitution...

I am really enjoying this series and have faithfully watched it weekly. Right now I am at episode 19. I have to say that it is always unexpected, with story lines that keep me thinking, and I like that! I enjoy the main characters and the excellent acting. So often you watch a show were within the first few minutes you know who the murderer is ... if you like that, then, simply said, you may not like this series. If you like a good story that has action, a tough female detective like in crime novels, her team that balances the ugly reality of their work with quirky humor and, yes, even some intrigue, then this may be a series you could really enjoy. Looking for something a bit different? Then I think you may be surprised, as I can only describe it as fresh and original. I definitely think of this series as a gem, and very glad I stumbled across it.