Patria

All four principal actors of Patria are Basque-born. I'm really jealous of Spanish viewers for not having to ear-strain, with authentic localized Spanish - además - being treated to something so genuine and from the heart, even if I had to put the Volume onto almost Full to understand the often muffled dialogue (which annoyed the wife). So far the reserved intensity and candor of the first three episodes has been striking. If you can produce TV this good, why on earth do production teams spend so much of the rest of their time producing trash?

This series is a landmark in Television, having as much to say about Northern Ireland and Cataluña as the Basque Countries. It speaks so eloquently about the iniquity of violent separatism that would see countrymen, neighbours, even friends sacrificed to petty vendettas in that precarious slope from idealism to complete moral bankruptcy. The series focuses on senseless death of Txato, a countryman, innocent, brave and beloved. The killing scene is revisited several times but always from different perspectives, always in the rain, but each time shedding just a little more light, in a discovery-trip to a well-reasoned but explosive climax. A production of true genius, a must-watch. Embarrassed to be just the 23nd reviewer here.

I'm Spanish and I lived this as a kid, just as it was ending. Never saw the true horrors as I was about three at the time and my parents didn't want me to watch the news and see what was happening in Pais Vasco, but I remember the gruesome stories people told back then. I know that a lot of people won't appreciate or understand the importance of this series, but to me and to the younger generations who might not even know about this, it's a piece of history that should never be forgotten. That said, I have loved seeing these stories unfold and all of their points of view. I've learned a lot about my own country.

Homeland (Patria) the book is an extraordinary exploration of terrorism and community. The HBO series has captured the mood and impact of the book with great effect. An excellent cast and terrific direction and film craft have combined to a create a brooding, emotionally claustophobic atmosphere in which all sides are depicted with sympathy and depth. For Spanish and Basque people, Patria is an emotional and possibly cathartic experience in which all lose.

This is not a series for viewers who like stuff to happen quickly and the plot to gallop on. For viewers who relish depth and development: this is for you

So, I have reached the end of the series. We have sat down together each week and watched this series and discussed afterwards. What we have discussed: that the story is driven by the women. More than anything this is a series about women: about their resolve, their passions, their commitment and the role they play. The men, by contrast, are not cyphers but shades. The extraordinary silences: in the culture, in the family and how these are represented and enacted in different ways. How spoken words are rarely answered or heard, how we are cut off in our dialogue.

In its final resolution we see both the power of silence and the power of gesture.

Thank you HBO for this series.

... Unless you've read the book and then the difference, as usual, is huge. Anyway, performances are accurate and idiosyncratic as actors are Basque and don't need to pretend being one of them. Both women help giving strength and drama to their portraits. Scenery is perfect as well.