Vlad

The first season. The idea is rich (how could it not be?), Alexandre Dumas' Count of Monte Cristo is a theme one can elaborate upon considerably. Sadly, they stretched it by length and by breadth and produced a porous fabric. It started well, then, sadly, slid into a telenovela. The plot here dashes, then trails. The acting is bad, almost all the (fairly) young actors act unnatural or stilted (excepting Diana Sar and Anghel Damian). Camera angles and shots are frequently toneless or drab. Points for effort, but needs more professionals and, definitely, another director.

After the second season. It is still a telenovela, but with more action, some humorous dialogues, less overacting, less maudlin scenes, less eye-piercing (*expletive) camera (rife in the first season), new characters, extended plot, and more of Anghel Damian's scripting, that take the second season to a higher (better) level. Still, the scenography is wanting from time to time. Episode 3 part II, the fight between Vlad and Leo looks simulated. Episode 4 part I, medical aid outfit just hanging there, anyone could use it. And more...

Points for episode 13 part I, great drama, great acting (see Tibi at Leo's bed). The show looks promising.

I'll come back with the third season assessment.

Never in my life had I thought that a Romanian TV series would be this good. The old movies are good yes, but this is really good. Extremely good shots, attention to the details, really great framing, good sound, really accurate flashbacks and of course a great plot. The use of a narrator voice gives it an extra feeling of belonging. The narrator Adrian/Vlad is getting in touch with us through his narration of the story so of course we side with him. It's like we are part of the story because he is telling it to us, and we listen and see, not just see. It's amazing.

From season 4 onward, Vlad was not the same role model we used to grow up with. He became more conscious of himself, less perfect in this complex way he presented himself; more "human"..

In a way, I felt as I was wasting my time to reach this point where he felt at fault, because he was not 9.8 out of 10 anymore, and I could not have indulge him anymore.. he was more of a 7.8..

He presented himself right, even if he made some bad turns in his great plan for retribution.. which made him.. less..

..and I felt so indignated.

Nevertheless, with all the mistakes he has made, I feel like there needs to be recognition for the other "party"; whichever that is

on the other hand..

The real life actor of Vlad, is, as I've heard - a man who whithstood two brain operations and still made the series performace, as good as it is - from the beginning until the finale of the last season.

Mostly in the center of the spotlight of Vlad, within action that took place, more intense, from one episode to another, and some other characters accompanying him - Vlad left his mark on me as one of the most intriguing romanian series I have watched so far..

..affair of a gentleman as it is; looks of a suitable person to accompany at a dining night and speak curious things; a familist on-screen and a great actor on-site..

7/10 (7.8) - takes "two"

The series is very good and the actors are the best in their roles but the series is very similar to Ezel a turkish series. The sounds are very good and the effects are the best.It is not original and that makes him a series of 8

I watched Ezel and really like it. But I like Vlad as well.. Actually somehow more than Ezel. Only hope Vlad would end different than Ezel. Actors are very good. Expecally Adrian Nartea, who played Vlad is very good and charismatic. Great Romanian series