Metumtemet

It's been several years since the last episode of Metumtemet, and as I watch newer series here in Israel, I see the same actors popping up from time to time. It seems to me that I always think "Yes, he's good, but in Metumtemet he really shone." The scripts for Metumtemet didn't always score 100 on the credibility meter, especially in the third season-- which played out more like an unnecessary sequel than like a continuation-- but the roles were great. It's only the star and creator, Bat Hen Sabag, who seems to have drifted out of the spotlight. It's said that she created the series in order to make an asset out of her own plight of looking too young for the roles she tried out for. Does she still have that problem? In the later episodes of Metumtemet it was hard to ignore her wrinkles.

This show strikes me as a crossover between Girls and Breaking Bad, more on the side of the latter. To those who aren't familiar, Girls (2012-2017) focused on the tumultuous, day-to-day life of four young, artistic women trying to make ends meet. Breaking Bad needs no introduction...

Although I must give credit to the entire cast for its superb acting, my highest praise goes to the star of the show and its co-creater, Bat Hen Sabag. She plays Shiri, a compassionate and volatile 30-year-old, who is trying to make it as an actress, but has to take a 180-degree turn in order to save her boyfriend from a drug bust. Despite her good intentions, she screws up a lot and is frequently called "dumb" by the people around her (dumb as in foolish, not unintelligent). Bat Hen Sabag plays Shiri so convincingly and with so much passion that I can't remember that last time I felt so much sympathy for a TV character. Her performances in this show earned her two Best Actress awards.

Those who've watched the popular Israeli show Fauda (streamed on Netflix) will also be delighted to find that 3 of the actors from Fauda are regular cast members on Dumb, and two of them reprise characters involved in investigative police work.

I'm crossing my fingers that Amazon or Netflix picks up the show so that it can be viewed by non-Hebrew speakers too.

This show is a weird mixture of comedy, drug action conspiracy drama and soap opera, all mixed in the most brilliant and entertaining script and great natural acting. Fun time!