Hatufim

This show is sublime. It isn't even worth comparing it to Homeland because there is no comparison. Aside from the fact that PoW was the original of the two, it doesn't focus on the agents, or the families, but instead points the spotlight at the captives and the way they deal with their release, and the subsequent emotional turmoil they have to go through whilst trying to integrate back into Israeli life.

In Homeland it was all about Carrie (the FBI agent) which meant Brody was totally forgotten about.

The English subtitles don't bother me at all, as I truly get lost in the emotion and drama of what is really going on. I'm not going to give anything away. Just watch it. If anything it's incredibly current due to the state of affairs in Gaza at the moment and will take you on a ride you won't forget.

I have never been more fascinated by a TV show. When I first watched it I went by the title alone and thought it was a documentary on POW in WW2. I was wrong

I found the whole show absolutely compelling. I have also watched Homeland but hated that show, it was just too unreal. This one, however, seemed as realistic as a story could get and the only thing that disappointed me was that there wasn't a third series.

The twists and stories were so clever and the characters, and their reactions to events, seemed so genuine and real unlike Homeland.

The script was brilliant, the direction superb and the acting so realistic.

My review is based on two seasons, which is all that has been produced at the time of writing. I have not seen Homeland.

Two Israeli soldiers and a body are returned home after 17 years of captivity by a terrorist group in Syria. The details of the capture, imprisonment, and reactions in Israel draw on actual abductions, for example, Ron Arad, Gilad Shalit, Guy Hever (arguably), and others. The closest real-life Israeli parallel I can think of is the (mildly obscure) case of Massad Abu Toameh, who was kidnapped in Greece and secretly held in Syria for 14 years. There have been somewhat similar cases in the Arab world (not involving Israel) such as in Morocco, Syria, and Iraq. I wish I knew more about those, so I could better compare fiction to reality.

Season 1 follows the returnees and their families as they try to re- adapt to ordinary life, while gradually filling us in on what happened in captivity, some of which involved moral compromises and does not come into the light easily. It's gripping, and, as far as I can tell, fully plausible. Season 2 is more of a thriller, which I won't reveal the reason for. The second season contains significant implausibilities. Drew me in anyway.

Genuine, original drama, very mature writing and great performance by talented Israeli actors.

Memorable music and very mindful, slow-paced storytelling, somewhat reminiscent of the best works of Coen brothers.

Cinematography, on the other hand, is a bit amateurish, but in this specific case, it only help to recreate the "documentary" look and feel of the series.

PS: Honestly, I'm mot sure, why so many people compare this show to Homeland. Despite lush "Hollywood" production values, the later looks like a cheap plastic knockoff of the original series, all twists and cliffhangers, no real depth or character study whatsoever. Maybe the problem is the translation (or cultural differences?), I just happen to have lived in both US and Israel, so I could compare both shows as they are. POW is infinitely better, hands down.

Each season was made 3 years apart, and it shows.

Season 1 is a very detailed psychological study of 2 men who were gone for 17 years. It has some thriller elements but mostly, it's slow paced, methodical study that is finely weaved by the writer/director.

Season is two is mostly thriller, action. Much faster paced with many plot twists. Very different, overall but nevertheless enjoyable.

Overall, it's not an American version, and in some ways it's better, if you like slower pace, methodical narrative vs fast paced action, plot twists, and quite a bit of unrealistic action.

9/10 because ending left few questions unanswered, as if they expected s3 that never came.