Coppers

While I found this series interesting, the incessant drum solos between the dialogue eventually became almost unbearable.

Released in English speaking countries as Rough Justice this drama featuring Hilde De Baerdemaeker as main character Liese Meerhout, a drum playing, mustard yellow Mercedes driving detective who loosely plays by the rules. While some of the plots in the episodes may lack depth, the characters are gritty and feel real and the plot line of strange emails and blackmail throughout the series makes for easy binge watching. Ignore the fact that this is a Flemish program, close the curtains turn off your phone and immerse yourself in a foreign language series with English subtitles and enjoy.

There is a reason that this show only ran for one season. The producers forgot that "grittiness" in a detective show doesn't require that all the characters be unlikable. Led by protagonist Liese, there is a morose, depressive undercurrent to the entire series. The members of the police team don't like each other that much, and don't inspire much love from the viewer either. Further, the subplot with Liese's friend Baina was preposterous: Never has a government official gone missing with so little concern or interest. How did I make it through 13 episodes? Because I've already watched all the really good detective shows. "Spiral" this aint!

Hilda De Baerdermaeker was excellent in her role and the entire cast meshed. Unfortunately Season one left me hanging. When will she find out who has been blackmailing her..

The leads actor is morose and taciturn, after a while it becomes painful to watch her. The sub-plot is absurd and annoying. The toleration of a detective who is constantly taking swigs of alcohol while working also defies belief.

The plots are interesting and the actors do a reasonable job. Worth watching although you may find it wears thin after several episodes.