Paris Police 1900

This is not on some trendy pay tv site,nor is it American so lots of people won't see it,won't feel need to watch it.

It started on BBC tv yesterday and I love it already.

I know a bit French history but the details of the story still require close attention.

No plot spoilers but it is a combination of police story and political/social history.

What with brexit and covid this series might be the closest I get to Paris for a while.

Wonderful production values in this immersive crime and politics serial set in la belle epoque Paris. Scene after scene is perfectly conceived and performed. Gruesome violence and antiSemitic bile are just about contained in this gothic universe. Unfortunately there are just too many characters, whose motivations are lost in the misty streets, secret dealings, mad passions and cunning plans at hand. Ultimately we are excluded because it is hard to know or care what is going on. We are just left to wonder how such ugliness seems so beautiful.

This is as much a historical documentary as peaky blinders or pennyworth. Except for the opening sequence, which is factually accurate.

By the end of the first episode, one wonders where the series is going. The authors appear to procrastinate: is it a romantic comedy, a drama, a police procedural, or a political thriller? The story lacks focus, and about 25% of the scenes appear to add no value - except for the odd atmospheric shots. The characters appear to be card-board cut-out tropes of goodies and baddies, complete with corrupt chauvinist cops.

The acting is average, at best, and I found myself yawning and looking at another screen quite a few times.

Production values are mostly good; except for any outdoors locations which are very limited. I enjoyed the lighting and camera work, but that is not sufficient to sustain interest throughout.

Watchable if you have low expectations, or if there is little else on.

6/10.

Super impressive dark grimy crime police thriller, definitely big budget with a lot of details paid to decor, streets, costumes, etc... It REALLY feels like you are in Paris in 1900.

The type of serie you know you have to go to sleep because it's late but you still watch one more episode because you can't resist, keeps you interested and excited all along.

10/10

Let's destroy one myth, there are no 'central characters'. There are are many central characters. Most based, quite accurately, on real people and, importantly, accurately portrayed real events. Of course there's dramatic licence with subplots etc especially on personal lives & the ordinary people who were involved. The audience that do not know anything about French history of that period, it will come as an uncomfortable revelation that real democracy sometimes isn't an easy process. Many parallels with what's happened in the UK recently, lies & manipulating ordinary people fo the gain of the rich scared of losing power & wealth. Especially blaming & targeting minorities & immigrants. Only in France they lost.