Bnei Aruba

What a treat! I started watching without knowing what this was about. I just couldn't turn it off! This is a really terrific series. The performances are very good indeed. Don't miss this show.

This is one for fans of Homeland or lesser spy dramas. There is nobody who we would recognise as stars and the subtitles and the complicated plot makes it hard to follow at times but it is worth sticking with. There was an American version of this but it did not last long. I find it hard to praise this enough,it has good action scenes but also requires the viewer to engage their brain. Unlike so many American tv shows it actually uses real locations,not 1970s style sets.

/refers to Season 1/

The recent decade has seen me moving away from U.S. and partially British crime drama (mini)series and focusing on wider geographical area. Thus, when I was referred to an Israeli one, I was anxious to see what was on offer from a country where security, army and intelligence form a vast part of daily life.

It all started working from the first scene, and the thrill was maintained throughout the season. In spite of some clichés, predictable scenes and questionable "blunders" around the Prime Minister, this series is pleasant to follow: it is thrilling, fast-paced, with good cast (particularly Ayelet Zurer as Dr. Yael Danon and Yoav Rothman as Assaf Danon), and you get an overview of beautiful Jerusalem as well as living in a highly secured country due to lots of hostile people around and within (although no Arabs were visible to me this time).

The final episode had multiple sub-endings, promising a sequel, which I am eager to follow as well (although I heard that the cast is partially different). All in all, Bnei Aruba 1 was a pleasant familiarisation with Isreali series and listening to Hebrew in almost all conversations.

It could have, maybe, 6 episodes of 1h total.

Instead, season 2 totally unnecessary, adding characters and plots that did not match.

It's not bad, but it's incredible long for no reason.

From the very first episode Hostages commands its viewers attention and doesn't let it go until the very last episode of Season 2! Unlike the American remake, Hostages cleverly weaves surprises, intrigue as well as a considerate amount of character development for a short time span show. Pros: -Great casting, and believable acting -Loved the soundtrack, added perfectly to the intensity of each scene -Intriguing plot -The cinematography is visually striking, particularly if you like older buildings