The Thaw

What a letdown. If the main idea behind this series was to portray the Polish police as a group of less-than-bright individuals, then I can say they certainly got their message across. Personally, I felt this was more a byproduct of poor writing rather than intentional storytelling. I couldn't connect with the main character, Katarzyna Zawieja, played by Katarzyna Wajda. It's not that I have anything against Wajda, but her character just didn't win me over due to the screenplay; she wouldn't have passed a police psych test in my book. On top of that, the series often seemed to lack logic, with scenes playing out like something from the Wild East. All of these factors combined left me feeling rather disappointed overall. / Lesson learned: Before you try to solve everyone else's problems, make sure you've got your own sorted out. 3*- (05/30/2022)

I'm still trying to gather my thoughts; the creators threw a murder or suicide at us right from the get-go, a death that doesn't matter, another that does matter, and as a bonus, a disappearance or kidnapping. It all feels a bit too tangled up for the start of a series, but my main issue lies in the execution. I'm not entirely convinced yet if I'll be satisfied with this approach. / Lesson learned: Home births are overrated. (05/26/2022)

I have to admit, the second episode didn't quite win me over either. While the story itself isn't bad, I'm not a fan of the approach the Polish filmmakers have taken with it. The chief inspector's character doesn't quite sit right with me either; she seems to constantly wear this "I'm a tough, cool girl" expression. Despite that demeanor, she often loses her temper without clear reason, and it's starting to grate on me. / Lesson learned: Don't bring work home and don't bring your kids to work. 3*- (05/27/2022)

You know, I can't quite put my finger on it, but it feels like the series is losing its steam. Instead of delving deeper into the case, the creators seem more focused on showcasing the number of unstable characters within the Polish police force, and I'm getting tired of it. I've made it through half of the miniseries, and I can't help but feel apprehensive about what comes next. While I'm usually a fan of Polish films and TV series, this one just didn't hit the mark for me. / Lesson learned: If you're feeling mentally off, maybe steer clear of psychiatric hospitals. You might end up staying longer than intended. (05/28/2022)

I find myself facing the same dilemma yet again. The core criminal story in this miniseries isn't all that bad, but the Polish creators seemed to have overlooked crucial details, leaving the police looking rather incompetent (to put it mildly). It's a shame because the setting, Szczecin, was a fitting choice and brought the right gloomy atmosphere to the series. The issue lies in the script not fully capitalizing on this potential. Despite this, the episode felt more engaging than the previous one. / Lesson learned: If you're going to commit a crime, make sure the evidence against you doesn't end up in every photo related to the case. (05/28/2022)

I'm confused. Polish police officers have been mostly portrayed as idiots since at least the second episode. However, it's interesting to note that as the story nears its conclusion, they are really having the worst of it. The screenwriter must either get fined often or has some childhood trauma to work through. Even the Polish version of Dr. Lecter didn't leave much of an impression on me. It's been a bit of a miserable ride, so the only silver lining is knowing I only have to endure one more episode. / Lesson learned: Searching for a needle in a haystack? Better bring a strong magnet. (05/29/2022)

I honestly didn't have high hopes for the creators to salvage the situation in the finale, but it turns out they didn't even bother trying. The events of the final episode felt like something out of a parody, and the way they handed over the wanted person to their closest relative had me laughing out loud. Chief Inspector Zawieja with the look of the Virgin Mary on her face only added to the hilarity. It seemed as if the guy was about to exclaim, "What the hell! What do I do now?" Considering what we learned about Mr. Kosiński, I wouldn't even blame him:-) / Lesson learned: When your life is already falling apart, even good news can knock you down. (05/30/2022)