The Sniffer

This is a very uniquely, creatively written series. Having taught forensic science for a number of years, I find the premise of this series fascinating, if a bit unbelievable. Nevertheless, it is totally enjoyable, never predictable. The characters are interesting to say the least and certainly contribute to the fact that this is not your usual whodunit. The actors are extremely talented, especially the lead and his ex-wife. She puts the "b" in that unladylike word. The story lines are terrific.

This series is a mixture of genres all rolled into one. It's a detective series with a guy who uses his uncanny sense of smell to solve cases, it's a "Buddy" film with a "Bromance" between the two male leads, it's a comedy with an element of slapstick and a couple one-liners. It's entertaining most of the times but eventually becomes formula driven with the inevitable wind up at the end. It does give a perspective of modern Russia not often seen in other series. It's not particularly "noir" like many of the Scandinavian series but the sets and outdoor shots are more often monochrome. I guess this makes the brilliant green and red cars, driven by the lead actors stand out more. It's a good watch when you want something silly and light, yet entertaining and fast moving.

This is an incredible series. Well-plotted, with brilliant acting, it's a joy to watch even with subtitles.

Great idea and I don't see it as entirely impossible, though possibly only with some kind of enhancement to the body. Being a writer myself, I see more possibilities with the idea than I've seen so far in the show, but then I've only watched four episodes so far. The Sniffer would be able to smell disease in humans like some dogs apparently can. Not only could he use his talent to solve crimes, he could work for doctors and quickly tell what a person has, such as diabetes, kidney disease or various cancers and metabolic imbalances. The show could go in that direction too and turn him into a super House. The guy who plays the main character is perfect, his expressions subtle and though the character is a bit of a snob or maybe it's just that he's too sensitive for normal social life, the actor makes him very likable, at least to me.

Rather well written and well acted. Weaving in the private life of a disconnected father who glides like a big cat through the forensically impossible. The performances carry the plot well without truck loads of over done music.