23 Morde

23 Cases (23 Morde): German Noir, so dark that though it was filmed in 2015, Sat1 refused to screen it, eventually it was streamed by Joyn in 2019. Max Rapp has confessed to and been imprisoned for 23 murders. But it looks as if he might be innocent. Whilst still a prisoner he helps detectives to track down a collection of serial killers. Why did he confess though, other than the fact that he's a narcissist? Thar's not the only secret which has to be uncovered. Some disturbing scenes as these serial killers can be quite inventive. Created by Alexander Eslam. On All 4. 7/10.

How did this proposal for such an absurd premiss ever get a hearing with the TV company's commissioning body? And worse, approved? I usually give any series the benefit of watching at least the first episode to give it a chance but here I switched off after about 25 minutes.

I had honestly thought that this would be a clever police procedural drama, but instead it's a mishmash of nonsense. The whole of the German prison system is somehow subverted to get a convict to start work as a consultant on the enquiry, there's no actual detective work as "clues" fall into the laps of the cops, the consultant sniffs or touches an item and immediately knows if the person owning it is guilty or not. Or he does the same thing, psychically to reveal items that even a forensic pathologist has missed or to "see" events that led up to an incident.

It is absolutely ridiculous, a total load of baloney. I'm glad I didn't pay to get this.

First the cliché: feisty female detective (she likes friends with benefits) sees what her moronic male colleagues can't: the serial killer can't have sliced and diced all the victims he confessed to. Then the stupidity: she persuades the authorities to release said multiple murderer from prison to assist with the investigation! Life really is too short!

If you can get beyond the absurd idea of having a murder suspect of 23 murders being released temporarily when it suits to solve each murder then it is a decent series. The murder suspect plays his part well and is likeable after a couple of episodes. The main police officer is not charismatic which would have helped but her co star police officer does a good job. I enjoyed it but then I don't have a problem with storylines that don't reflect what would happen in real life.

Absolutely loved this dark series. Well written and well acted, never predictable. Cannot wait for season 2!