Az árnyak

Commenting after three seasons, and I've got mixed feelings about this series. The initial season took me by surprise, delivering an awesome experience that I didn't quite expect from Romanian creators. They approached the show uniquely, crafting a beautifully realistic narrative with believable characters, plotlines, and dialogues that completely absorbed me into the story. However, the introduction of HBO marked the beginning of a decline. The strengths that defined the first season started fading in the second, only to be completely lost in the third. What began so impressively ended up leaving me disappointed, a source of frustration because this had the potential to be outstanding. / Lesson learned: Money spoils not only people but also TV series. (2022.12.07)

Had someone told me a while back that I'd thoroughly enjoy a Romanian TV series, I'd likely have recommended a head-banging therapy. Well, today, I owe that person an apology and a therapy bill. The first season's narrative immediately drew me in and refused to let go. It boasted a substantial plot, an engaging storyline that unfolded at a satisfying pace, a captivating atmosphere, and the added perk of sidestepping political correctness and its ridiculous quotas. / Lesson learned: For some professions, a guilty conscience is a liability. (2022.12.02)

Appearances can be deceiving, I get it. But after just one episode, I'm vibing with this. I've dabbled in Balkan cinema before, mainly getting my kicks from the Serbs. Romania, though, that's a new dance for me. The main character, a mix of dad and tough guy, seemed interesting. The plot reeled me right in, and the creators conjured up a top-notch atmosphere. After the first episode, I'm more than satisfied and itching for what comes next. / Lesson learned: Be kind to taxi drivers and treat them with respect. Just to stay on the safe side. (2022.11.29)

I've got a feeling that I've stumbled upon another quality series. The creators pulled off something special. I usually don't harbor warm feelings for shady characters, but Relu has somehow won me over. It's probably because he exhibits his sense of humor and other emotions in the style of the Terminator (the first one). It wasn't just a coincidence that I loved the first episode; I genuinely enjoy the taxi driver's story. The atmosphere was great again, and I realized I forgot to praise one significant aspect last time. The opening credits. They're beautifully done, and while with most series, I fast-forward through them after the first viewing, these are worth seeing repeatedly. / "Do you like Rachmaninov?" "I'm driving. I don't drink." / Lesson learned: Don't let your work distract you from life in nature. (2022.11.29)

After my third trip to Bucharest, I'm content. The series' creators stick to what has worked so far and occasionally throw in a little extra. They manage to gradually unfold the main theme, take good care of the plot's development to keep it engaging, create a fantastic atmosphere, and skillfully blend both aspects of Relu's schizophrenic life to avoid any potential boredom. I was particularly delighted to realize that Romanians have a sense of humor that resonates with me. I picked up on the first hints from the very beginning, and now I'm absolutely certain. / Lesson learned: If someone is holding your testicles, take their words very seriously. (2022.11.29)

I simply love this TV series about the adventures of a Bucharest taxi driver. The creators set both of Relu's lives on parallel trajectories from the beginning, making it evident that they would eventually intersect. In the fourth episode,  it happened in a spectacular way, and I suspect that smudged mascara won't be the sole consequence. For the fourth time in a row, the Romanians delivered a well-crafted atmosphere, a briskly paced plot ingeniously weaving the private and (unofficial) professional life of the main character, all complemented by intermittent, subtle sparks of dry humor. / Lesson learned: Don't be too secretive. (2022.11.30)

This time, I found myself teetering between awarding four or five stars, but in the end, I leaned towards generosity and rounded up. My slight hesitation stemmed from a sense that the fifth episode may have lost some momentum, or perhaps Relu isn't adapting well to the role of a homeless person, which didn't quite sit right with me. However, despite these minor reservations, I still appreciated the plot, and the creators did not forget about the atmosphere they had meticulously constructed since the first episode. Nevertheless, this episode didn't have as strong an impact on me as the previous ones. / Lesson learned: When you're trying to trick someone, you're taking a risk. 5*- (2022.11.30)

The creators truly hit their stride in the sixth episode, allowing the main hero to relish the simultaneous falling apart of both his lives, not just one. That's the downside of living two lives. The rest of us are spared from such experiences. The episode's plot was undeniably eventful, and even though the main hero shared the spotlight with supporting characters, he certainly didn't fade into the background. Personally, the visit to the school had me hooked, but why fixate on the particulars when the whole thing works so seamlessly? / Lesson learned: Never underestimate old folks with dementia. (2022.11.30)

What a bummer. Picture this: you spend years trying to keep up appearances, fool yourself and others, and just when you think you've got it all together, boom! It all unravels, and you realize you've been living in a fantasyland. Life's full of paradoxes, isn't it? Episode seven drops another truth bomb on our Bucharest ex-taxi driver, and let me tell you, he isn't thrilled. The creators decided to take it easy this time, dialing down the plot twists, but it wasn't boring. Still, I missed a few familiar faces. One vanished with a decent explanation, but where's Magda and Emoboy? The end of the episode left me scratching my head over Relu's moves (I've got a hunch, though). Overall, it's your typical pre-finale chill pill. / Lesson learned: If you're going swimming in an indoor pool, be sure to wear a swimsuit and a cap. (2022.12.02)

I'm giving the final episode four stars even though I couldn't shake a slight sense of disappointment. Sure, with three seasons, not everything can neatly tie up in the first season's finale, but, frankly, nothing seemed resolved at all — especially from Relu's perspective. That missing star mirrors my mild frustration with how the calculating writers copped out. Hopefully, they'll make up for it in the next seasons. Nevertheless, the plot remained engaging, retaining tension and a quality atmosphere, reintroducing lost characters (yes, the ones whose absence I complained about in the previous review). Aside from the mentioned letdown, I was quite satisfied. / Lesson learned: Need to dispose of a dead body in the bathtub? Call Viktor. (2022.12.02)

In the second season, the harsh reality hit – money talks. HBO pulled some strings, and their "upgrades" took center stage. The once-Romanian show about organized crime took on a more European flavor, morphing into an action-packed thriller. Not that the second season was a total dud; I wasn't checking my watch (except for that opening episode). But the disappointment lingered as believability took a hit, and the creators veered into the mundane territory trodden by many crime series. / Lesson learned: Changes aren't necessarily for the better. (2022.12.04)

The opening episode of the second season didn't leave the same impression on me as the episodes from the previous season. I've grown accustomed to a somewhat faster pace and a more engaging plot, both of which were missing here. Moody teenagers and wedding festivities have never been my thing, so I wasn't fully invested in most of the first episode's storyline, and the extended running time was noticeable. Sure, there were a few interesting moments, but just as something exciting started happening, the end credits rolled, and once again, I felt like a little boy whose toy was taken away and broken by older kids at the playground. Need a new one! / Lesson learned: Always buckle up in the car and hope that there won't be a fire in case there is an accident. (2022.12.03)

It's confirmed once again that weddings are not my cup of tea, and they can really ruin the atmosphere. There was no festive frolicking in the second episode, and suddenly everything got better. Relu was back, and his silence made it clear that he had something to say. The creators managed to recapture the atmosphere of the first season in this episode, and it worked well because it brought back that special mood where I always expect something to happen — usually something unpleasant. I must also add that I'm not a fan of clichés from gangster movies and TV shows, but I'll overlook it this time because my favorite character is back. / Lesson learned: When the local head of organized crime starts talking about his ideals, make sure you're not standing on plastic. (2022.12.03)

The second season is following in the footsteps of the first, which is definitely a good thing. Admittedly, the introduction of the third episode remains somewhat unclear to me, but overall, I thoroughly enjoyed it in every aspect. The creators decided to steer clear of weddings and the perpetually annoying wife, instead returning the series to the familiar pace and atmosphere I had come to appreciate. They avoided affected conversations and focused on realistic dialogue that got straight to the point, like this gem: "What are you doing?" "Peeing." No grand romance here; it's more grounded in reality. / Lesson learned: Torture is pretty nasty but brings undeniable results. (2022.12.03)

After this episode, I finally grasped the significance of the introduction in the previous one; I simply overlooked another time jump. The fourth episode was undeniably high quality—the atmosphere was fantastic, and the plot was interesting. However, I couldn't shake the feeling that the events of the previous season seemed more believable and had more momentum. I don't want to overly criticize the Romanian creators because they consistently provide me with extraordinary experiences, but I still have a minor complaint as they've demonstrated they're capable of better performances. Well, once you get a taste for something, it's hard for me to let go./ Lesson learned: You can't split a log with your head. (2022.12.04)

I'm not sure what's happened, but it's not the same as it used to be. I applauded the third episode of the second season, but since then, the plot has lost some of its strength. The fifth episode wasn't terrible, but I wasn't thrilled that it no longer centers around Relu. The creators apparently opted for a broader approach, but it doesn't quite sit well with me, turning the second season into a more generic affair that there's already an abundance of. Plus, it seems like they like comic books a lot in the Balkans; otherwise, I don't get the Romanian variation on Joker. It really gets on my nerves. I'm hoping the creators (and consequently, the entire series) can bounce back and return to the qualities of the first season in the end. I'm hoping, but I'm not holding my breath. / Lesson learned: A mute witness is still a witness. 4*- (2022.12.04)

I hesitated to drop below the four-star mark because a lot was unfolding. The creators once again crafted a gripping atmosphere, and the final episode of the sixth season wasn't half bad. I could potentially get on board with another season, but the Romanians have set the bar high, and this season fell short. Much like the previous episode, I couldn't shake the feeling that the creators were striving too hard for global acclaim, which didn't do their show any favors. That authentic storyline that had won me over seemed to vanish in the last couple of episodes, which is a shame. / Lesson learned: Don't set trucks on fire; it's not environmentally friendly. 4*- (2022.12.04)

Regrettably, the third season cemented my belief that HBO's attempt to transform a Romanian series into a European project wasn't a wise move. The first season had a certain authenticity and credibility that the second quickly lost, and the third didn't even come close to achieving. What was once a realistic narrative, where every moment and character dialogue felt believable, transformed into an extravagant Euro thriller with all its drawbacks, leading to one disappointment after another. The third season failed to bring me joy, mainly because it lacked the original, subtle, dry humor that defined the series. Even the fantastic opening credits, a staple in the previous two seasons, didn't escape the wave of "improvements." / Lesson learned: That's what happens when quality is replaced by quantity. 4*- (2022.12.07)

The Romanians are still following HBO's directions, trying not to be ashamed of the outcome. The first episode suggests they're doing okay so far. We've said goodbye to the original prime quality, but fingers crossed that the series will maintain at least its secondary quality in its third season. After the introductory episode, it's clear how the cards are dealt. The atmosphere was excellent, and I'm not disappointed by the plot, so I'm giving it four stars. / Lesson learned: Catching a mole is one thing, but what do you do with it when it is a protected animal? (2022.12.05)

This episode took a somewhat atypical turn for the series. The atmosphere, as always, was on point, but the plot of the second episode struck me as weaker than usual. I reckon I'm not alone in this sentiment, as the creators made a point to showcase a final, roughly fifteen-minute stretch for comparison, which, in contrast, was quite eventful, and I'm giving it four stars to show my appreciation. The third season trails noticeably behind the first one. However, I'm still enjoying the series, and I'm not just following it out of habit. / Lesson learned: A coconut is harder than an orange. 4*- (2022.12.05)