Where's Wanda?

Although it had a weird and for my taste slow start, the show got better, deeper and more intriguing along the way. I liked the combination of dark humor and an unfolding mystery that at times is best described as a tragedy. However, the beautifully written and portrait characters give it an uplifting vibe which is gripping. I felt touched and connected with Wanda's Family at any point along the way despite the many questionable actions that were taken. After the first two episodes I didn't really want to like it and then I ended up binge watching it, writing this review with a big smile on my face.

After watching the show, and only learning towards the start of the first episode that it was in German I must say that the acting was so compelling I almost didn't need to use the subtitles. It's a quirky comedy with a complex dynamic of family emotions in a very trying time After the first two episodes. I'm excited to see more.

Wanda's mother or the actress who plays her is what steals the show. There were a few scenes in the first episode where I was completely captivated by the actresses ability to convey those complex emotions I mentioned earlier, the only downside of the show and reading subtitles while watching it is that you can find yourself missing out on incredible color pallets and visually interesting camera work trying to decipher a sentence during an important plot point.

I've now watched the first four episodes. Initially, I thought it would be another 40+ minute show I'd drop for being boring and slow, but surprisingly, it wasn't. The start of the first episode was pretty average, and I wasn't sure if I should continue or stop, but it kept getting better and even had some genuinely funny scenes in the last 20 minutes. The second episode, although longer, remained engaging and interesting without a single dull moment. The third and fourth episode were also intriguing.

Few reviewers are complaining that they don't sympathize with Wanda's character because they only saw one scene where she was acting annoyingly. They don't care enough to feel sorry for her being missing or to wonder if her parents will be able to find her, and I understand that. But, as you continue watching the episodes, you'll start to feel sympathy for the parents. They are doing much more than most parents would to find their daughter, and the brother is also doing everything he can to help. Watching them try to find her in a crazy and borderline illegal way is entertaining.

You'll enjoy it more if you don't think too logically about what's happening. For example, they're spying on people to get information on their missing daughter, but they're doing it in the most amateurish way possible-if this were real life, they'd have been caught more than five times by now.

This might be my first German show, and I'm enjoying it so far. The lead characters, Carlotta and Dedo, are really likable, and the actors playing them are fantastic. The cast, direction, writing, and intro music (Mania by Alice Merton) are all great. So far, it's an interesting watch that shows what some parents go through to find their child, with a comedic and slightly emotional touch. I'll update my review after finishing it.

Update: Just finished Season 1, and it was awesome! Every week, I waited for the new episode. The last episode was really interesting and entertaining. I was actually about to cancel my Apple Plus membership, but when I found this show, just watching the first few episodes made me renew it.

I wish there had been a complete ending, but they left it on a bit of a cliffhanger, which I don't mind. I'd love a Season 2 or 3, though I don't fully trust Apple since they've canceled good shows after just one season, like Still Up.

If what happens at the end actually happens, they might just have to change the show's title. I didn't like the tiger scene that much. Anyway, I'd still love to see more of these characters and more German shows like this. It's the best mystery drama I've seen this year-totally binge-worthy, and I'd definitely recommend it. 4/5.

Honestly, this is a great programme; if you're on the fence due to the low rating, don't let that deter you & just give it a go.

I personally find the programme engaging, funny & different to what is usually churned out from the Brits & Americans - yes, you may have to read the subtitles but after a while, you don't even realise you're doing it!

I'm a huge fan of Nordic TV series' such as Trapped, so that helps and I'd say that this is 'up there' with the best of them.

I would definitely recommend watching Where's Wanda for a new, fresh and funny series that keeps me wanting more. Genuinely don't understand the low ratings!

Review of Where's Wanda?

After reading a favorable review of "Where's Wanda? In the NYT, I decided to check out this series. I'm a struggling language student looking for a respite from the drudgery of studying basic German. "Where's Wanda?" turned out to be perfect. The series, about the bumbling efforts of the suburban Klatt family to find their kidnapped daughter is funny and engaging.

Although the dialog is very simple, it is still way above my A2 German level. Dual language subtitles aren't available on Apple TV (as they are for Netflix), so there are many steps I must take to slow down the playback, capture screenshots and translate the dialog. I wouldn't go to this effort for most of the German language series appropriate for my level.

Even if you aren't a language student, this sweet, goofy dramedy is a gem. The cast of characters includes Carlotta and Dedo, the endearingly inept parents; Ole, their über-capable and nerdy deaf son; and of course, Wanda, their eye-rolling, smart-mouthed daughter. And what's not to love about a town that holds an annual festival in honor of its very own mythical evil hairy monster, the Nuppelwochen?

Many scenes are improbably silly: After Dedo detaches a (presumably) venomous snake from Carlotta's leg, he is told he cannot not let it go-the snake must go along to the ER for proper identification. As the couple drives to the hospital, an arm hangs out of the car window, grasping a brightly colored serpent. The Klatts come up with one hopelessly misguided scheme after another...but their hearts are in the right place, so we hope for the best for them.