Coppers

While I found this series interesting, the incessant drum solos between the dialogue eventually became almost unbearable.

Released in English speaking countries as Rough Justice this drama featuring Hilde De Baerdemaeker as main character Liese Meerhout, a drum playing, mustard yellow Mercedes driving detective who loosely plays by the rules. While some of the plots in the episodes may lack depth, the characters are gritty and feel real and the plot line of strange emails and blackmail throughout the series makes for easy binge watching. Ignore the fact that this is a Flemish program, close the curtains turn off your phone and immerse yourself in a foreign language series with English subtitles and enjoy.

Recently rediscovered the 4OD choice of so many fine foreign language shows sadly ignored in the UK because you have to read subtitles and people can't cope. We binge watched all of this in just over a week. It's a perfect mix of criminal of the week and the character arcs that run alongside. Quite dark, but with bright spots of humour to alleviate the gloom. The palette is very blue and green and grey, lots of bleak landscapes and city tenements. The lead's house in contrast is in a leafy area and filled with houseplants. All the actors are talented, and their character's lives are fleshed out beautifully. You can't watch just one!

There is a reason that this show only ran for one season. The producers forgot that "grittiness" in a detective show doesn't require that all the characters be unlikable. Led by protagonist Liese, there is a morose, depressive undercurrent to the entire series. The members of the police team don't like each other that much, and don't inspire much love from the viewer either. Further, the subplot with Liese's friend Baina was preposterous: Never has a government official gone missing with so little concern or interest. How did I make it through 13 episodes? Because I've already watched all the really good detective shows. "Spiral" this aint!

Hilda De Baerdermaeker was excellent in her role and the entire cast meshed. Unfortunately Season one left me hanging. When will she find out who has been blackmailing her..