Cetnické humoresky

This is one of the best "police" TV series I have seen in a long time.

Yes, it is very "local" taking place in a little known Moravian city of Brno in Czech Republic between two World Wars...not in LA or NYC.

It manages masterfully to blend personal lives of (heroes) policeman with duties that are universal to all policeman anywhere who are fully dedicated to their work. The historical context is accidental but adds flavour of the times. The contrast, the ever present conflict between duty and personal live of a policeman is presented in a firm but intimate manner avoiding unnecessary pathos.

Each episode has entirely different plot, however maintains continuity in personal relationships of heroes creating one complete saga.Episodes gradually introduce romantic plots that evolve naturally without "Hollywood" sugar coating.

One has to be familiar with czech culture to fully enjoy the subtle humor that so well balances the occasional morbidity of policeman's work.

All episodes form a body of cinematographic masterpiece worth seeing!

This is just a quick comment, or rebuttal if you will, to the only other comment noted in here so far...

I don't know who posted the previous comment... It can't be anyone who is well acquainted with Czech humor... this show is very clever, and very funny and is packed with atmosphere... furthermore, the acting is very good, much better then shows from the west which boast predictable and glossed over story lines with flat acting... which is also why most of the time actors in US shows have only one life span; that of the show... actors in Europe play a wide range and variety of roles over their lifespan...

This show is not meant to be a slap stick comedy, its writing is witty and clever and that's where the comedy is... also, the humor is somewhat specific to the culture from which it comes...

Also, this show is not meant to be a serious illusionary criminal drama like Poirot, it's not even in the same genre... if that's what you are looking for you will be sorely disappointed... it's a bit of a spoof on all the serious criminal dramas... more than anything this show is about the people and their relationships... it's a nice, nostalgic if you will, trip back to a time when life was simpler...

4 reasons why I'm not a fan:

1. The serial is called "Humoresky", what means it should be "humorous" (Ok, I don't expect a monstrous comedy, but just a little bit laugh should be included due to the name). In fact, there is no real humor or just a shadow of a memorable joke or a funny scene (if you're intelligent enough not to consider scene where the cops are throwing spaghetti into the air, raging inside the dining room like a bunch of silly old morons, to be funny). Now, forget about witty dialogs or wise crack.

2. Although the episodes are well stuffed with historical equipment (cars, costumes, guns) there is a complete lack of old-time atmosphere. To be honest – ANY atmosphere is missing at all. The story is filmed so badly, that the authentic historical stuff is completely useless and total impression equals zero. Watch the Poirot series to know how the old time illusion should look like.

3. Some smaller parts are played by actors from Brno. Their "artistic performances" are frequently very poor – especially women acting is sometimes unbelievably pathetic.

4. Arazim - the main character, makes absolutely no psychological progress. Plus the character is not very jolly at all. His actions are always predictable and his mood is always bad. Don't know how many times he said to his companions something like: "Guys, stop this, it's not funny" (He is usually right, the sidekick cops are really NOT very funny).

Conclusion: 3 stars, deserved mainly for heroic fight with the low budget