A Hidden Gem
The British-French crime drama television series, adapted from the 2011 Danish/Swedish crime series 'The Bridge' is a hidden gem. Reviews and user scores as well as critics have been fair to good for the first year but definitely good to better in the second for a reason, it's good.
I've seen the first season of the original Scandinavian 2011 series then switched to the American (US) edition in 2013 solely because of my language failures, I don't care much for subtitles, and because I was already a fan of Diane Kruger who has the lead in the second series. I watched both series and enjoyed the first season much more than the second. Now, why mention so much of 'The Bridge' in this review? Because of the female character in all three series, a common aspect. The female detective has one of the autism spectrum disorders, specifically the one that is emphasized by a lack of emotional response and detachment; however the character has a sense of observation and deductive reasoning that is beyond most other detectives except from some film and TV series detectives. That alone seems to be a key element that has fascinated viewers, it certainly did me. It is not the only commonality of the three series though.
All three series start with an attention grabbing scene where a body is found right on the boundary line between two countries, on the bridge over the Rio Grande (US Series), in the Euro Tunnel (French-British) whence two law enforcement organizations have to work together as the body turns out to be cut in two, moreover is actually two halves of different victims, a half in each country. Not is it two murders they must solve, but serial killing that continues. An English detective of impeccable moral and high likability is on one side, the male lead, and a quirky intense French detective on the other side are paired to work on the case.
That is where I would say the dominant similarities end, because the type of murders, the victims and the perpetrators are different and so is the storyline in the broad sense. In the first season of 'The Tunnel' we get to know the lead detectives, what makes them tick, we get to know the rest of their respective co-workers and supervisors, again I found the 'The Tunnel' more interesting.
In the first season one single criminal is the object of the investigation, while in the second it is a criminal organization. There are the ever popular thriller sub-plots, when political influence and rivalling intelligence agencies' dubious operational practices come into play. By far the second season develops those criminal relations with stronger effect and fine suspense. One key development in the second season of 'The Tunnel' is the lead female's emotional breakthrough. On that last point I have to tell you Clémence Poésy's acting skills will make you a fan. She plays the role of Elise Wassermann, the female detective.
Her English partner in crime-fighting is Stephen Dillane who plays the role of Karl Roebuck, the CID's go-to man. He's a seasoned actor who delivers a performance second to none, just like Clémence Poésy.
There was a two and a half year waiting for season two and it clearly was not wasted time because unlike most series, the writers made that second season better than the first and it's the reason I'm writing this review. Get the snacks ready pull up the ottoman and binge watch this. You've got my strongest recommendation for a series this year, after 'Better Call Saul'.
The British-French crime drama television series, adapted from the 2011 Danish/Swedish crime series 'The Bridge' is a hidden gem. Reviews and user scores as well as critics have been fair to good for the first year but definitely good to better in the second for a reason, it's good.
I've seen the first season of the original Scandinavian 2011 series then switched to the American (US) edition in 2013 solely because of my language failures, I don't care much for subtitles, and because I was already a fan of Diane Kruger who has the lead in the second series. I watched both series and enjoyed the first season much more than the second. Now, why mention so much of 'The Bridge' in this review? Because of the female character in all three series, a common aspect. The female detective has one of the autism spectrum disorders, specifically the one that is emphasized by a lack of emotional response and detachment; however the character has a sense of observation and deductive reasoning that is beyond most other detectives except from some film and TV series detectives. That alone seems to be a key element that has fascinated viewers, it certainly did me. It is not the only commonality of the three series though.
All three series start with an attention grabbing scene where a body is found right on the boundary line between two countries, on the bridge over the Rio Grande (US Series), in the Euro Tunnel (French-British) whence two law enforcement organizations have to work together as the body turns out to be cut in two, moreover is actually two halves of different victims, a half in each country. Not is it two murders they must solve, but serial killing that continues. An English detective of impeccable moral and high likability is on one side, the male lead, and a quirky intense French detective on the other side are paired to work on the case.
That is where I would say the dominant similarities end, because the type of murders, the victims and the perpetrators are different and so is the storyline in the broad sense. In the first season of 'The Tunnel' we get to know the lead detectives, what makes them tick, we get to know the rest of their respective co-workers and supervisors, again I found the 'The Tunnel' more interesting.
In the first season one single criminal is the object of the investigation, while in the second it is a criminal organization. There are the ever popular thriller sub-plots, when political influence and rivalling intelligence agencies' dubious operational practices come into play. By far the second season develops those criminal relations with stronger effect and fine suspense. One key development in the second season of 'The Tunnel' is the lead female's emotional breakthrough. On that last point I have to tell you Clémence Poésy's acting skills will make you a fan. She plays the role of Elise Wassermann, the female detective.
Her English partner in crime-fighting is Stephen Dillane who plays the role of Karl Roebuck, the CID's go-to man. He's a seasoned actor who delivers a performance second to none, just like Clémence Poésy.
There was a two and a half year waiting for season two and it clearly was not wasted time because unlike most series, the writers made that second season better than the first and it's the reason I'm writing this review. Get the snacks ready pull up the ottoman and binge watch this. You've got my strongest recommendation for a series this year, after 'Better Call Saul'.