The Attaché

First problem with this series: The bait-and-switch prologue. It was a cheap exploitation of real tragedy to tout this soap opera as related in any way to Parisian terrorist attacks. It is about truly privileged brats who seemingly have no concept of that privilege.

The episodes themselves are an annoying chronic toothache of family bickering and bad parenting. The artistic director should be applauded as offering the only relief by showing us the nicer parts of Parisian life and culture. I did, however, flinch when one shot showed the destroyed Notre Dame in the background. A sad reminder of the hard facts of attacks on Parisian heritage.

I eagerly watch Israeli and French productions as a respite from the glut of American trash on various streaming platforms. The poor substance of this production was a shocker. To add insult to injury, it was peppered with politically correct claptrap.

The hubby is lame, the kid is grotesque and the wife doesn't know what she wants. She slaps hubby in one episode and you think "Yay! She's finally realised she's married to an idiot". But no... He stays the same directionless loser with an unhealthy relationship with the freaky kid and she doesn't know if she's coming or going. The only saving grace are the supporting cast. Wife's boss, Ofra, the crazy French teacher, Natalie, and the parents of the main couple.

First of all, this story could never be made by a US network. That is part of its charm. It's a relationship show that feels realistic, and difficult.

At its heart it's the story of a marriage between two flawed people. A wife who makes decisions without consulting the husband; a husband who fails to adjust to life in a new country.

It is also informed by the background of terrorist attacks in Paris.

My wife and I watched this together and we hope there will be a second season.

Thanks to the other reviewer here for borrowing their headline but it really summed it up quite nicely.

We watched the first two episodes in one sitting and thought it interesting and certainly different and definitely worth continuing with.

Episodes 3 and 4, not quite up to the level of the first two episodes. Cliche type writing using recycled themes you'd see in too many other series when I was expecting something unusual relating to the lives of an Israeli couple living in Paris post the terrorist attacks.

By episode 5, we were thinking: a) this is ripping off the story line of a bullying boss and a wimpy employee from right out of something like The Devil Wears Prada and b) the scene with the stolen trousers at the clothing shop was just not credible; yes, somebody might slip into a changing room and check to see if you were silly enough to leave your wallet in the changing room when you were out in the shop, but to be brazen and stupid enough to steal the jeans with the wallet in the pocket? Seriously?

Anyway, we tried episode 6 and came away just hating the people and thinking any sensible couple, she would have quit her job and the pair of them would have been on the next flight home.

We gave up near the end of that one so I have no idea how it ended and don't care.

A shame, as the premise was good but it just deteriorated into so many cliches it wasn't worth it.

This is a mini series about an Israeli couple that moved to Paris, because the woman is hired to work at the Israeli Embassy. It sounds like a fun premise, but unfortunately everything is bleak and depressing instead. Each episode contains different scenes from the couple's life without much chemistry or joy between them. The wife's parents add extra toxicity to their jaded relationship. The wife's work seems unfulfilling and full of disappointment. The husband is more or less her side character, after being a successful musician in Israel who's reduced to give lessons to elderly people at the local synagogue.

The main soundtrack is an Idan Raichel song which is wonderful, but sadly it's the only positive thing here.

Overall, can't recommend.