Philharmonia

For classical music lovers this is first. A thriller with a murder victim set inside a "mean girls" Paris philharmonic orchestra. Yes I know, I know, Hitchcock got there first with The Man Who Knew Too Much. Knives out for the newly arrived conductor, and all the usual backstabbing, ego driven, one upsmanship of the musicians. Think Black Swan.The series builds a case for a "stay tuned for the next installment," but unfortunately as the series begins the journey to its whodunnit, and very melodramatic conclusion, the show has jumped it's story telling shark, as it becomes quite obvious in BIG NEON LIGHTS, whodunnit before the windup is over.

I remember when I used to love French cinema and French TV. I also remember when I used to love French cuisine. Sadly though if you go to a restaurant in France nowadays you will be offered soggy chips with everything and if you watch French TV you will also get served pap. Philharmonia started out with such grand aspirations and sadly ended up after just a short while, conforming to type and being dire rubbish. Come on! You can do better than this!!!

And it is a French Soap Opera with all the requisite tropes. We have the Beleaguered Heroine, the Unfaithful Husband, two Hostile Mothers, Hereditary Insanity, the Kind but Clueless Father; the Ruthless Villain; the Young Rage-Driven Ingenue, the Wealthy Suitor, and a death that may or may not be murder. Stir well and forget anything that resembles real life.

Anybody expecting to find musical verisimilitude here will be disappointed. Conductors do not conduct that way, and orchestras do not work that way. Another reviewer gave a detailed list of inaccuracies, with which I completely agree. Any number of concerts available on a variety of streaming services will inform you.

Now, all that said, I enjoyed it. It is surely not 'deep', but then it doesn't pretend to be. The story was good enough to hold my interest, and the characters are sympathetic, except for the Villain, of course. And the actors are attractive. I certainly enjoyed seeing the many shots of The Philharmonie de Paris, which was used as a background. Overall, I think it's worth the seven stars I'm giving it. Recommended, with the above caveats.

Pretentious, self absorbed pap. Used the ff button from ep4 onwards, hoping for just a morsel of something to keep me interested. If the stoic heroine ever acts again I'll be amazed. Takes it self far too seriously, attempting high brow surrealistic drama and failing with honours.

After suffering through a series too many of Money Heist, Line of Duty and the appalling season 3 of The Sinner this was a delight. Engrossing plot great acting and terrific music. Highly recommended