Nero a metà

Okay - I really thought a lot about this crime show... Many here think it's a good show that covers also the racism Malik is confronted every day. One could think that's an interesting plot that gives room for a lot of social and political discussions - BUT - there is basically NO real reflection or controversy regarding this topic. Quite the contrary - racism is shown and lived in every single episode in such an normal and regularly way, that one starts to think, it is completely OKAY and nothing out of the ordinary... Also some of the acting is really poor. I rolled my eyes so many times my head is spinning ;) Bottom line - the show is ok, but nothing really special.

It features a base background kind of like soap opera story, which on top attaches one crime intrigue foreground tale with quick resolution in each single episode. The base story with attractive characters is what makes it compelling, it resurfaces in full force during the last two episodies where it takes over. Leaves some channels open to make a second season.

To much of racism though, far too much. Take that away and it will be a hit.

I am almost finished watching this series and hoping there will be more than one series.

Set in Italy with dubbed American voices but the dubbing is very well done.

Alba, one of the main characters and daughter of the main policeman is a very attractive girl and plays her part very well.

I had no idea that racism was so bad in Italy. It features regularly in the show regarding the black policeman. The fact that one suspect refuses to talk to a coloured person is pretty awful to watch. Interesting stories and good acting all around make this an entertaining show.

If I have one complaint it is the soundtrack. As soon as people start talking, they play really loud music over the dialogue. It is very distracting and annoying and really spoiled the show for me. This seems to be a trend and is happening in a lot of tv shows and movies lately. It is a trend they need to drop.

I would happily recommend this show for anyone who likes police shows. The scenery is realistic and not glamorous. There is mild profanity and some nudity. All in all, a good show.

I am usually into Scandinavian and British crime series, but from time to time, for widening my horizon, I try to keep up with related productions from other countries. Nero a metà included no performer known to me and the focus was more on colleague relations than on solving crimes, but it was somehow pleasant, seemed realistic (features of Italians still on the surface though). The "racism issue" did not distract me at all.

True, the creators have evidently watched BBC Crime and not all cases were of even interest, but unless you think that only e.g. Bron/Broen and The Millennium series are worth watching, the series in question can be well recommended. At least, Rome seems a more realistic crime scene than a small English village...

PS Season 2 was somewhat more protracted, the disbalance of the "main crime" and other crime episodes bigger, personal feelings of the main characters too confusing -- so 7.5 points meaning still 8. And I have plans to watch Season 3.