Petra

Perfectly showcasing partnerships and very typical interactions among italians, the two protagonists Cortellesi and Pennacchi - usually great italian comedians, but here so good in a drama! - just wear their characters so naturally you suspect they're acting... themselves. Petra never tries to be a bad, embarassing copy of american crime tv series, but rather offers another option in this genre, tight to the beautiful scenario and people in Genoa (Rome as well, in last episode).

Weak plot, mediocre screenplay, modest acting....a total mis-hit.

I watched it all. I have to say that I wasn't bored by the series or its episodes but, goodness, the plots were so simple and the villains so obvious that it became an exercise in waiting to see one's suspicions and guesses confirmed.

The initial premiss is not one that inspires confidence. Petra is a police archivist with the rank of Inspector. She has never been in the field but working the skeleton shift overnight, which normally involves answering the phone, she is thrust into an investigative role. She is paired with Antonio Monte, a bit of a straitlaced duffer and a complete contrast to the unsympathetic and impetuous Petra. On the strength of her work on this first case, she is transferred, just like that, without having made an application, to the murder squad. Yeah right.

Subsequent episodes show the unlikely pair working on more and more complex cases, some involving national security or VIPs who are well protected. During these inquiries, more is revealed of the lives and backgrounds of the ill-matched pair of detectives but it never seems to add up to a coherent whole; the revelations about their history seem to be devices that just move the plot along or are simply contrived, adding nothing or little to explaining why they act as they do.

I loved the setting. Genoa, which I have never visited, seems to be a beautiful city. I'd love to have a go on what appears to be a funicular railway that Petra takes to work every day. The buildings and streets seem unruined and lacking in ugly developments, although we really only see the centre in the main and are shown the high rise suburban sink estates only rarely. I guess visitors would not be going to the latter.

I watched the four episodes over two days. It was really an exercise in relaxation and easy viewing. The series had just enough glamour and oomph to hold the attention but I can't say that it made one think. It was just too simple and forced. The most enjoyment was got out of noting the gaping plot holes that were in each episode.

Yet it's still quite watchable. The interaction between Petra and the other detective is quite sweet but some of her techniques seem a little dated and not terribly believable. It's okay.

At the beginning you have to say that there are three seasons, but only one was to be streamed so far with us. (If this has changed, I'm happy about information).

We get to know a single commissioner, who is around 40 and has her own peculiarities. She has been living for three years in an apartment that is still full of moving boxes, calls a spider her pet but has no name for it yet. She seems tough, dry and seemingly distant at the same time, yet incredibly sympathetic through her style of dress and unagitated manner, never in self-pity, but almost in the pure with himself. One senses a protective layer as well as a personal touch. In addition, she gets a partner who is the opposite of her, open-minded, a lot older, also single but with the optimism to find a suitable life partner.

The two protagonists Cortellesi and Pennacchi are successful comedians in Italy and are absolutely convincing here in a very sympathetic and natural way in a crime drama.

The hand-drawn intro tells of a cardboard box in which she keeps a personal piece from each case.

She goes unconventional ways to solve her cases, which are well mixed and varied. A good mix of interesting case and again a new insight to the two characters. They grow on you and you want more. Since it was clear to me that only one season with a manageable 4 cases is available, I took my time there. Would like to see more.

The series carries the Italian charm, while bringing the people and Genoa one closer.

I have felt very entertained and would be happy about more and more seasons.

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Conclusion: Excellent - interesting cases with refreshing and very likable main characters.