19-2

All the performances here are topnotch but the real stars are director Daniel Grou's facile direction and cinematographer Claudine Sauvé's imaginative camera work. So many shows on Netflix have terrible cinematography, where camera operators lack the talent to keep subjects in the frame. Not so with Grou and Sauvé, who give this series a sense of you-are-there excitement. It's a thrilling ride, helped by solid storylines and sharp, incisive scripts. There's an underlying intelligence that permeates every scene. Some of the tracking shots are breathtaking.

It's not all perfect. The green-hued palette is overdone and gives everything a uniform sickly appearance. Also, one could argue the soap opera elements at times overwhelm the impetus of the plot but that would be griping because, unlike so many Hollywood shows, the romantic moments are usually intertwined with the plot.

This series is absolutely outstanding. I just watched the finale and it was excellent, so well done, I had goosebumps after it was over. The writing is amazing and the acting is superb. I plan to watch the English series next, but I don't expect that it can top the French series. Everything about this show was so incredibly well done. The writers were not afraid to deal with very difficult subjects. As another reviewer said, the characters are flawed, but very likeable regardless. As a former Montrealer, I started watching the series for nostalgia purposes, mostly. But I ended up binge watching this well written and highly entertaining show.

I'm usually more of a fan of anti-heroes. I would watch breaking bad and Dexter over CSI and Bones any day. This show about Montreal's police really does something for me though. Frankly, I think I usually avoid police shows because to me, the characters in them are either cliché or stagnant. In 19-2, rest assured you'll see no righteous, confident hero nor eccentric genius who infuriates-everyone-but-is-tolerated-because-he-is-always-right (mentalist, Monk, House...). The characters will all make you hate them a little at some point, while still having you rooting for them. They evolve, as do their relationship in a natural, believable way. New plot lines are thrown in at the right pace: no time for being bored, but enough to make it coherent and fluid. The dialogues are right on the spot - absolutely natural, powerful or funny when needs to be. Although, this is probably one of those shows people from France might need subtitles to understand. Finally, they know exactly when to go slow mo', when to mute or delay the scene to make it efficient. If you know French, 19-2 is really worth your time.

If your looking for a cop show that is well crafted, well acted and well written. Then you found your perfect dream, this show is absolutely wonderful. The story progression & cinematography is superb. A far cry from those lame shows like SVU or Chicago PD, this is the type of show they want to be.

I can't believe I'm only stumbling onto it now, but more than happy to have been able to go back and watch all the seasons. The show's that good, something needed in the crime TV genre. I haven't felt this much realism or intriguing grit since NYPD Blue, and still I would come back to this one every time.

I'm seriously stoked to see what season 4 has in store, whatever it is, I'm sure it will be great! Once again if you're looking for something entertaining but yet, serious and well-crafted then this is it!

This series is up there with THE WIRE and ENGRENAGES (the Spiral), yet it is nothing like them, it is unique.

It feels very fly on the wall, and it shows the good, bad and ugly.

I really like cop shows that really character study the people, including childhood, homelife and shows motivations.

This show is very much about cops and the job itself, loyalty, and trying to be competent under pressure. It is not much about criminals and does not glorify crime, corruption or excessive force in any way.

One of my favorite aspects of this show is that all of the cops are very believable and unique characters with their own way.

There is nothing like this show--it is excellent, warts and all.