HaMidrasha

Hard-hitting, uncompromising, (sometimes) cold-hearted, pragmatic.. And this is a dramatic series, remember -- not a docu-drama.

The Israelis have the best intelligence service (Mossad) on the planet - we all know that. But, how do you get into it? Well, this series shows you what the new recruits have to go through: you might have to evade the local police who are unwittingly firing at government trainees with live ammo; you might have to spy on your classmates whilst the class carries out a routine surveillance on Mr & Mrs Nobody (selected randomly from the phone book); you might have to initiate an affair with your child's teacher, who is particularly vulnerable at the moment -- all this to score points with Mossad's higher echelon, just to prove {you got what it takes}. Mossad has cameras and bugs planted everywhere, too, to watch, just in case you try to fake the success. It's a bit mind-boggling.

But, for those of you who watched Russia House, or MI-5, this is the familiar 'weary load' of those who want to break into the Intelligence Business. Betrayal, heartbreak, cold-hearted 'cuts' from the team - it's a little like an NFL training camp. Superbly-acted and written, as good as any comparable British series I have ever seen. Season-1 on Netflix now (hopefully, Season-2 will follow soon).

I watched Season 1 on Netflix and was hooked from the word 'go'. These would-be candidates for Mossad get sent out into perilous 'training' situations-and they either sink or swim. Soon, it appears that Yoni, the headmaster, has his own shadowy agenda, as the recruits drop out one by one. At the end of Season 1, Yona has proven that he is a force to be reckoned with, but may be lacking in integrity.

Season 2 opens in the Ukraine with 3 eager new Mossad recruits being led by the indomitable Yona. They're not sure what he's up to, and neither are his bosses. Two former Mossad agents, on the run with some purloined cash, get wasted by a mysterious assassin. The pretty 'Abi', Yoni's nominal supervisor, shows up to rein him in-unsuccessfully, I might add. Soon, she falls into danger from the local gang of Arabs operating on Ukraine soil. Betrayals from above & the ranks emerge also, placing the Mossad group in grave danger.

This series is the AV equivalent of a great page-turning whodunit that you can't put down, even when your wife commands you to get busy & cut the lawn. So, cook the popcorn, crack open a case of your favourite beverage, put your feet up and savour this masterpiece.

Interesting set of characters. I love that there is at least 1 person much older than the rest. Mostly in Hebrew subtitles, (I'm an English based viewer). Some things said in English, occasional dialog).

Great juxtaposition of people doing well and occasionally flubbing instructions. Lots of nuances into the main character's backgrounds--which keeps you watching. One criticism, the American brothers seemed too juvenile--almost cartoonish. Why would the government even bother with people like these.

I'm not well versed in the spy business, but I did expect Mossad to be harder on the trainees. Maybe that's the mystique. Still very riveting and interesting. Looking forward to more episodes.

As far as Israeli shows not named Fauda, this one is pretty good. However, this show about the world's most daring spy organization is essentially a soap opera more so than anything resembling an action show. An enjoyable show if you look past the sheer improbability of many, many details

The first season was pretty good but a bit silly at times. The second season the show completely switched to a new format (or lack of it) and it's much better, more mature and gripping. Like a very good movie. Gotta hand it to the creators for not standing still and repeating the formula of the first season, that takes guts. Truly entertaining with high suspense from the first second till the satisfying last. Excellent writing and performing. Israeli TV is usually very good and this show now bubbles to the top. Waiting eagerly to season 3.