Lupin

The first 2 seasons are highly entertaining, single-threaded, but the execution is fantastic to watch. The cat & mouse game, accompanied by a summary of the ruse keeps you watching for every clue.

Season 3 starts well with another intriguing heist. The first episode continues the excitement and entertainment of the previous season. Beginning mid-way in episode 2 of the season, flashbacks introduce Assane's mother. From there, the plot changes and reduces the lead to nothing more than a common thief being controlled by nefarious criminals. It truly devolves from this richness and intelligence of the character. It feels as if they needed to give Assane a reason to continue his thefts.

I'm open in seeing another season but only if they go back to the magic and mystery of the first 2 seasons.

I like it. It's witty, well acted and directed. This version of Lupin is a clever re-imagining (with some flaws), trying to fast-forward the original character 100-years. And yes, XXIst century Lupin is the son of African immigrants. And why not? Omar Sy is a great lead character and the production values are good. Perfectly enjoyable light entertainment. I repeat: this is meant to be watched for fun, it's not faithful to the details of the original books, it's not meant to be realistic. Good tv is escapism. It reminds me in a good way of successful series like Hustle, or Leverage. with intricate cons and twists. To the critics: you are right, this is not a series of Lupin faithful to the original books and historical context, in a way that David Suchet's Poirot was. But it is in the same line of re-imagining classics (though not quite as spectacular, but neither on the same budget) as Dominic Cumberbatch's Sherlock. It's an enjoyable ride. Don't begrudge the artistic licence. Have some fun. For god's sake it's 2021!

Looking over the reviews, I see things like "more holes than swiss cheese," "exaggeration," "loopholes," "suspension of disbelief," etc.

I'm not disagreeing, but somehow, I never read these things about Mission: Impossible or James Bond movies.

Lupin is the story of a man (Omar Sy) out to avenge his father's imprisonment for stealing a valuable necklace, which causes him to commit suicide. From childhood, his father encouraged his interest in the gentleman detective, Arsene Lupin, which is a series of books by Maurice Leblanc.

In order to achieve his revenge against his father's ex-employer, Pellegrini (Herve Pierre), he uses Lupin's techniques. Little does he know, one of the detectives on the robbery case is a fan of Lupin.

I think this is a fun, light series, kind of a fantasy, with stunning Paris surroundings.

I admit I love a good heist story. In Lupin we have a little more than a single heist but a succession of daring robberies and masterful escapes all pulled together by a main story line that I won't spoil here as it runs through all three series.

Each series proceeds at a cracking pace which does mean that there are a few plot holes but it doesn't matter because you just hang on for the ride. It's great fun and you root for the protagonist throughout. You can watch each series as a stand-alone but are better watched as a three series arc. With each series only being a handful episodes you don't need to invest a mountain of time.

I have one minor criticism in that the main protagonists is a very big man and very recognisable and so I had to suspend disbelief that he could disappear so easily so often. Yet in a way that just adds to the fun of it all.

While other series such as Money Heist have in the past generated a huge buzz, this is a much better series all round and have no hesitation in recommending it.

I'm French and I really dislike French series, mostly because they're not realistic enough, the writing is pompous, and the acting is usually awful.

I'm must admint that Lupin is not a super well produced series, but the story and the characters are deep enough to keep watching.

As usual, French cops are stupid AF (which is mostly true) and there's some plot holes and unrealistic stuff (like the cop in S02e02 who fires at Lupin's car. In France, there's strict rules about the use of firearms for the cops).

All in all, it's not amazing compared to some US/UK series, but it"s decent enough to watch and enjoy, and it's above most of the other French series.