Rocco Schiavone

My wife and I loved the series. Like many series, it got better as it matured over its 3 seasons. It wasn't overly violent compared with many US cop shows and had humor throughout just like the somewhat similar Montalbano. The Aosta scenery was often beautiful and we enjoyed seeing the various locales used. Our main complaint was that Rocco smoked constantly.

I loved this series. I binge-watched it. Rocco was such an interesting character, philosophical and sexy. I think it was the first Italian series I've watched.

Taken from Manzini's series of novels, the TV show depicts fairly well the humor and the dark moods of inspector Schiavone. The actor Giallini is absolutely perfect for the part, the filming is good and the plots well transposed from the book series. The similarity with Montalbano is only superficial: Schiavone character is sad and disillusioned while Montalbano deeply believes in his duty and loves life (and to eat well) but of course they are both excellent detectives... So far the three seasons are very good.

Roco Schiavone is a touching and beautifully made mystery series. A brilliant detective who grows up in Rome with thieves as friends, but thieves with honor and a belief in only taking from those who deserve it. Rocco loved his wife, and continues to be haunted by her as she tries in vain to get him to "live his life' without her. He is sent to work in a beautiful but freezing location in the Italian Alps. Everything about this show is wonderful from touching and often funny dialogue between the motley crew Rocco works with, to the moments he spends with his wife's ghost, to the adorable dog he adopts after his owner is found dead, to the exceptional and pitch perfect acting. A special show indeed. The only other mystery I like as much right now is Vera, they are both beautiful, rich and moving mysteries.

After watching season 1, I can't help but compare it to the series "Montalbano" and "Young Montalbano". Quirky lead characters are fine, but Rocco who continually talks with his dead wife which is morbid, smokes pot in the office and doesn't carry a firearm, makes it hard to believe. Writers love characters who go after the system, go out to avenge a wrong against them and skirt all the rules, but that's not real life it's fantasy. In real life employers weed out problem employees especially ones that act like vigilantes, they are a huge political and financial liability. In real life Schiavone would probably have been retired instead of transferring him to Aosta.

The location is beautiful, the Aosta Valley in the Italian Alps north of Turin. I laughed when his buddies thought he was being sent to Ostia, which is west of Rome on the Mediterranean. I like his odd team, especially Italo who can't stand the sight of blood.

Andrea Camilleri's Montalbano series is safe, this one is good but Camilleri's stories are better. Marco Gaillini is a good actor as are the others. I watched the full 5 seasons and since Montalbano ended it's the only Italian series. They're filming a 6th season.