Kfulim

My wife and I just saw the first two episodes at the SF Jewish Film Festival. Although I didn't see the Israeli "Prisoners of War" before it was adopted in the US as Homeland, I loved Homeland. But the first two episodes of Kfulim, or False Flag, were even better than Homeland, which was great. The subtitles (the show is in Hebrew) don't detract at all from the intense suspense.

This totally engrossing thriller - all without any violence so far - is compelling even in a theater, and I'll watch compulsively streaming or on TV. After two episodes, all we have is mysteries, so the eight-episode season holds great promise.

No wonder they say the Israeli originals are better!

The story of five random people that get entangled in a world of politics, conspiracies, and death, "Kfulim" starts strong, keeps a grip-your-sofa gripping second act and ends on a high note (even if, though, it leaves some loose ends that could have been better tied).

The plot in its basics: five citizens of Israel with double nationality but otherwise seemingly normal lives are accused of kidnapping the Iranian Minister of Defense. Little by little we get to know why, how and all the other answers to the questions behind the kidnapping. At the beginning, though, all five of them seem to be completely innocent people (ok, except Sean, who looks shady from second one). The plot does a decent job on developing this premise (even if, when you think about it after ending the show, it is all a little bit head-scratching because some plot points make no sense).

However, the strongest points of the show are the characters, all of them really interesting and well developed, and the pace of the development of the story. In regards of the first, the characters are fleshed out and the acting good enough. And in regards to the second, the rhythm, the music, the camera work all work to make every episode "Lost"-style gripping, normally ending with a cliffhanger and with some really nice twists along the way.

Season 1 was engaging. There were too many characters. I agree with the commenter who said the quality dropped off over the course of the season.

Season 2 had better focus. There were many, many plot holes and the conclusion was disappointing.

The main investigator wasnt a sufficiently strong actor to carry the series.. Some of the supporting actors and actresses were very good.

Even with this criticisms, many viewers will find the show entertaining.

I just have to say season 2 is sooooo much better than season one with Nata Riskin in it, and the whole story line is so much better....don't wanna spoil it

Especially where gun play is concerned.

Trained assassin with "feelings" who won't kill, shoot high, shoot low, miss.

Agents who can't hold onto their handgun and/or find them. Miss at close range.

Good main story line and most players, especially some of the support players. But bad writing & direction decisions.

Couple of not quite complete minor story lines.

Paints a pretty nasty picture of Mossad and GSS.

Crooked liars who'll do anything to get to the bottom of nothing.

Kind of like the Abu Ghraib story.

I made it thru the second season mostly because I wanted to see the deal sealed.

Feh! It was not. Fauda of the same kind of thing is way better.