The characters are much more sophisticated and interesting than many other reviews suggest.
Zoe is a messy character for a purpose. By the end of the series, she appears very similar to her murdered brother with her selfishness, her sense of entitlement and lack of concern for those who love her. She is as much a product of her toxic father's upbringing as her brother. She may be the protagonist, but she is not the heroine.
By contrast, Boxer, denigrated as the "nightclub bouncer", although a bodyguard and a murderer, consistently displays compassion, strength, a sense of humor and kindness to other. Unlike Zoe, he does not seek revenge. His sense of "being in the moment" is less greedy and needy, more about resetting into higher possibilities from what has been. But he gives too much to others and does not put himself first. He could easily have been the hero, from a plot perspective, and yet he is not.
This dance of contrasts between Zoe and Boxer is the thematic core of the series - how do you choose to relate to others amidst a world of violence and betrayal?
By the end of the series, Zoe has begun the journey to let go of her toxic past.
And Boxer has begun the journey of believing that he deserves a girlfriend who values his many qualities, and doesn't want to just use him. This is why he resigns from his job - ha cannot continue to sacrifice his cakes to please others.
I very much enjoyed the complexity of the characterization - a sign of the European production.
Zoe is a messy character for a purpose. By the end of the series, she appears very similar to her murdered brother with her selfishness, her sense of entitlement and lack of concern for those who love her. She is as much a product of her toxic father's upbringing as her brother. She may be the protagonist, but she is not the heroine.
By contrast, Boxer, denigrated as the "nightclub bouncer", although a bodyguard and a murderer, consistently displays compassion, strength, a sense of humor and kindness to other. Unlike Zoe, he does not seek revenge. His sense of "being in the moment" is less greedy and needy, more about resetting into higher possibilities from what has been. But he gives too much to others and does not put himself first. He could easily have been the hero, from a plot perspective, and yet he is not.
This dance of contrasts between Zoe and Boxer is the thematic core of the series - how do you choose to relate to others amidst a world of violence and betrayal?
By the end of the series, Zoe has begun the journey to let go of her toxic past.
And Boxer has begun the journey of believing that he deserves a girlfriend who values his many qualities, and doesn't want to just use him. This is why he resigns from his job - ha cannot continue to sacrifice his cakes to please others.
I very much enjoyed the complexity of the characterization - a sign of the European production.