Keizersvrouwen

Hard to believe in the characters which detracts from the plot which is as much about collusion as the oldest profession. Not helped by some wooden acting. Given all that happens the director fails to generate any tension. This is left to the soundtrack guy. An odd piece of viewing.

The plot may be a little predictable, but only a little. I liked the women in this series the most.

Why do directors permit their leading actresses to look like they're about to burst into tears? The character is a bold, take-charge woman who runs a string of high-class escorts, yet she's always on the verge of a nervous breakdown. Similarly Laura Sepul in "Banking District" ... who runs a multibillion-euro empire but spends every episode wiping her eyes.

Unfortunately I just saw the first two episodes.... this is delicious storytelling with superb acting in a high tension realistic and horrific Amsterdam scenery. A blast. Highly recommended!

The way this series plummeted from being good to being bad truly hurt. It started out as an interesting and enjoyable character study about a madame and the girls in her escort service (with some tedious side stories regarding organized crime, political corruption, and a dysfunctional relationship with her teenage daughter). Unfortunately, it morphed into a "crime drama" and it was all downhill from there.

***Below might be considered spoilers for some***

It ended up being chocked full of unlikable characters who I wanted to see walk off a cliff; chief among them being: 1. Lulu, the teenage daughter - almost every scene with her mad me cringe. 2. Said daughter's grandmother, Sylvia - evil through and through, but good for a few laughs. 3. Ralph, a crime boss - Your stereotypical mafioso. 4. The police inspector (I can't even remember his name) - The crusading "crime fighter" who wanted to win no matter the cost.