Three Pines

I haven't read the books so I'm watching this with no preconceptions and purely on merit. So far the series has played like an Agatha Christie with many possible antagonists while also running a backplot about disappearing indigenous girls and corruption. Alfred Molina plays the part of troubled detective brilliantly and his selection of sidekicks are excellent character driven parts. The locals that populate 3 pines are very quirky and all carry their fair share of secrets. The setting is beautifully imagined and cinematography is great. Having said all that this series is nothing new but just well done and the characters interesting enough to keep you invested. Recommended.

After the first two episodes, we are definitely looking forward to the next few. It's enjoyable and unique to see a series like this set in wintery Quebec. Alfred Molina does a good job playing the caring and insightful Armand Gamache, the lead investigator. I'm intrigued to see what happens with the suspicious villagers. The subplot about missing and murdered Indigenous women enhances the feeling of immediacy and relevance of the series beyond a Christie style of village murder mystery. (Disappointing to see people complaining about this topic in the reviews, since it's handled with nuance and is a *real* and relevant issue to the time and place).

The victim is a bit of a caricature villain and some of the acting is uneven but overall this is starting out as a very enjoyable series.

After 1st episode. I love crime murder mystery & after seeing the rating I thought I'd give this a go. It took me a while to get into it, I couldn't work out if it was deliberately trying to be kooky ( I.e Fargo esc) The acting was slightly over dramatic, after the 1st murder the show seemed to hit a groove, there was still that undercurrent of slightly being over dramatic (probably being use to a hyper real British crime drama) but I really started to gel with the characters and was intrigued by the multi threads building up. Main detective's character already feels honourable & rooting for him.

Three Pines feels incredibly refreshing in a tv world drowning in samey samey crime shows. There are many elements that have this show punching way above. Alfred Molina is truly wonderful as Gamache, a world away from our usual hard drinking troubled cops. He's kind, steeped in morality and just the man you want solving your crimes.

His dialogue is peppered with quotable lines that cut you to the core, little insights into life you never thought of. Writing at its very best.

Bringing Canada's Indigenous people to the foreground, not as mere victims but as so much more is genius. The world is so rich and Three Pines gives so much insight into their lives. The costume design, art and reservation felt very different to the usual stereotypes.

Having an Indigenous cop right up there beside Gamache puts the community front and centre in a way I've certainly never seen before.

I loved the quirky villagers and small town setting. The cinematography is wonderful and the writing sings. I got Twin Peaks vibes. Loved the music too which felt really original.

10/10 for me as Three Pines hits every spot and made me want to read the books.

Never heard of the books ( more into sci fi ) or this show but wow it was good. Molina shines in the lead role and as others have said plays a decent, moral, considerate and kind detective who's not drowning himself with a bottle, has gone rogue or is grieving a dead wife or all the other usual tropes in a crime show. Helped by a likable cast, beautiful scenery and a quick pace. The show will have a new case every two episodes and not drag it out for slog of eight or ten episodes which many shows try and fail to keep the interest. Admittedly I did guess the killer before the first ep was over but that didn't detract from the fun. The recent show Echo 3 threw in the towel by the fourth ep. Terrific beginning and can't wait for more.