A Body That Works

This is one of the best series I have seen, hands down, and it just happens to be in Hebrew from Israel.

It's a story about the road to parenthood, and the dreams and embryos that die along the way, and it will absolutely rip a hole in your gut. And you won't be able to stop watching.

Anchored by two stellar performances by the leads, Rotem Sela and Yehuda Levi, as Ellie and Ido, a childless couple struggling to conceive, the story takes place across the nine months of a pregnancy. But it's not Ellie's pregnancy - it's Hen, their surrogate, who carries the child. Yet it is Ellie's pregnancy - it's her egg, after all - and the thing she has yearned for with all of her heart for years. There are three people having a baby here. If there is a better setup for a relationship drama, I'm not familiar with it.

To top it off, the script is simply excellent, the direction is fresh and surprising, and the music sets an oddly artistic French beat, which works somehow. Every element of this series is hand-crafted by people working at the absolute top of their game.

If this subject matter is at all interesting to you, search for it on Netflix and give it a chance. I cried four times in the first episode, and was hooked. This is the most intimate portrayal of the journey to becoming a family that I can remember watching. A masterpiece.

... A Body That Works was Israel's highest-rated-drama last year... deserving all praise it gets, all facets are working-top-notch... casting, writing, acting, production ... Rotem Sela and Gal Malka awarded-sharing the Best Actress prize for an international series at Series-Mania-awards in France... tackling surrogacy, a genre not easy pulling off this well for an entire eight episode series.. A Body That Works makes you want to stream every-episode non-stop

... already green-lighted for a second season, it will be exceptionally interesting seeing what comes next for all these characters... most viewers-fans would more than likely want to have the 'family' come-back-together... that may very well happen, yet if it does, it's probably not going to come easily-quickly, if at all ... many very good shows come from Israeli production companies... it's unfortunate the state of our world hampering true recognition that they well deserve... let's all-hope-pray that's to soon change

... an article in Variety from February talks about all four of the lead characters Iddo, Tomer, Chen & Ellie returning in a six-episode second-season... and that they remain-separated, co-parenting, while discussing possibilities having-another-child... Tomer's labeling as a "love interest" adding curiosity ... so seems-like we once again pick up near exactly where all left off... should be another highly anticipated series, can't wait

... if would have any real criticisms of any characters-developed, it's how readily-freely the-wayward-wife transforms him to a subservient-cuckold over-for several-months, until the surrogate implores-her-return to-help-her.. only then does she show any real feelings-remorse towards him at all... likely why, the pair-still-remain separate-distanced ("what-home Ellie.. there is no-home") into this new upcoming series of shows

... 10.04.24 - watching the series a second time... what's missing most from this production's storyline is logical-necessary-dialogue between the two main protagonists... there's a good deal of reasoning-conversation between Chen and Iddo, and then also between Tomer and Ellie, but much-is-glaringly-missing between Ellie and Iddo... there could have should have been much more, it would have been a bit of a challenge, so as not to affect the overall plot line of their strained marriage, with eventual outcome of her total-abandonment of him and their yet to be born child... but without it, the entire unchallenged rationale of her blatant 'in-your-face' infidelity gets called into question.. and why-how-can-he act so subserviently while this 'other-man' is most-obviously-directly-stealing his 'true-love' right out from underneath him (literally)

A unique story that dares to address a deeply sensitive and timely topic. It challenges us and opens the door to conversations beyond the screen, pushing us to voice what we truly believe.

The script is so real and deeply human that it allows us to step into each character's shoes and understand what truly drives them. That, in turn, leads us to a kind of intellectual empathy that transcends personal beliefs.

It's thought-provoking, relevant, and above all, real. Sometimes we're set in our ways of thinking, and this series invites us to consider things from every possible angle. It encourages debate, the exchange of opinions. It doesn't leave us indifferent.

From episode one, A Body That Works grips you with an emotionally honest and deeply human story about surrogacy, love, and the complexities of parenthood.

It stands out for its raw, empathetic, and nuanced storytelling, not to mention the fabulous acting and chemistry between the main cast:

Rotem Sela is outstanding as Ellie, a successful literary editor haunted by miscarriages and desperate for connection. Her portrayal is compelling in its vulnerability and inner conflict between control and desire for motherhood. Meanwhile, Gal Malka delivers another standout performance as Chen, the pragmatic single mom who becomes the couple's surrogate. No wonder both actresses won Best Actress at Series Mania.

A wonderful series , very emotional... it feels so true. Rotem Sela plays so well , you really believe in her being the character and of course the rest of the cast is very good and very right for each of their part. I cried and cried .... This series really make you think as well about women and about infertility issues. I highly recommend it.