Besa

I'm not a fan of organized or disorganized crime, but oddly enough, I do enjoy movies and shows with this theme. I mean, if they are good. And the first season of Besa certainly is. As I've already made clear in the reviews for each episode, I enjoyed the atmosphere, the suspense, the focus on the psychology of the characters, the precision of the action scenes, and the individual gritty fates. What also makes this a great show for me was the fact that the Serbs couldn’t care less about idiotic political correctness (which often doesn’t make any sense to me), so everything felt genuine and sincere. (05/27/2023)

I'm not one to support organized or unorganized crime, but strangely enough, movies and series with this theme often entertain me a lot — especially when they're done well. The first season of Besa was exactly that. As I've mentioned in my reviews of individual episodes, I was impressed by how the creators crafted the atmosphere, built tension, delved into the psychology of each character, executed action scenes with precision (when they did occur), and played ruthlessly with the fates of the characters. What elevated the series even more for me was the fact that the creators didn't seem to care about political correctness or fulfilling quotas that often feel forced and out of place. (03/04/2024)

The Balkans. It's a land inhabited by warm and friendly people (both literally and with quotation marks around it), a region steeped in rich history, vibrant culture, and awe-inspiring landscapes. Yet, it's also a place where I'd constantly feel like I'm tiptoeing through a minefield (sometimes quite literally), worried that bumping into someone in a crowd might trigger an overly sharp reaction. The opening episode hit me with a high-quality and even explosive atmosphere. It introduced so many characters that I struggled to keep up, though. (11/27/2021)

The episode picked up with a slightly more intriguing plot (or maybe I just got better acquainted with the Serbian-Albanian crowd), moving along at a brisker pace and shedding light on some Albanian folklore customs. Living in Albania (or amidst that EU+NATO mess they call Kosovo) wouldn't be my cup of tea. I'll stick to watching it unfold on screen. (11/27/2021)

Seems like I'm vibing with the show's creators; we might just have a similar (if not identical) stance on the EU and the drug reserve for Kosovan-Albanian dealers. This alignment creates a nice harmony between creator and viewer in my case, and I can't complain. The episode offered a perfect rundown on how to unintentionally become a hitman for the drug mafia. The protagonist's desperation and helplessness, stuck in a truly hopeless situation, was almost painfully palpable. (11/28/2021)

I'm gradually coming to a realization about this series. For a show centered on Serbian-Kosovar-Albanian relations, there's surprisingly little action, which might put off some action-loving viewers. Yet, I find no fault in it; the creators have crafted a perfectly dark atmosphere that could stir up decent paranoia in many. The script delves more into the psychological aspect rather than frenzied action, and although my initial expectations were different, it's fully satisfying. (11/28/2021)

The creators seem to be sticking to their guns with their current approach. While action might be on the lighter side, I have to give them credit for their attention to character psychology. If I were solely in it for the adrenaline-pumping action, I might have lost interest by now. But as someone who enjoys a mix of genres, I'm finding this series quite engaging. The main hero's internal struggle between conscience and family is portrayed perfectly, and it really makes you think: is it worth sacrificing family for a higher moral principle? Or is it better to work for someone who embodies evil? It's a dilemma I wouldn't want to face... (11/30/2021)

Besa has been keeping me entertained thus far, and I sincerely hope the creators stay on track for the remaining episodes because it would be a shame otherwise. The plot is unfolding well, the atmosphere is intense, the acting performances are solid, and the characters' psychology is captivating. And perhaps most importantly, I'm pleasantly surprised that the series isn't weighed down by excessive political correctness. That's a breath of fresh air... (11/30/2021)

Any concerns I had about the second half of the season were proven unnecessary. Uroš Perić remains in a desperate struggle to save his loved ones, battling his inner demons along the way. The creators have also cranked up the tension between rival "firms," leading to an escalation of conflict. Once again, the episode delivered a fantastic atmosphere and delved deeper into the human psyche. What stood out this time was the increased action, making for a more thrilling episode. (12/01/2021)

There's no denying that corruption runs rampant in the Balkans, reminiscent of the dark dealings of Colombia under Pablo Escobar. As a spectator, I found myself thoroughly engrossed in this strange game where the police pretend to enforce the law and criminals pretend to care. The episode reaffirmed my belief that there's no place like home. (12/01/2021)

The creators continue to impress, refusing to succumb to the usual TV screenwriting clichés. There's no sign of filler material just to meet an episode quota. Instead, they maintain a consistent quality, elevating the plot with a gripping (though not exactly uplifting) atmosphere and taking another swipe at often powerless international institutions. At times, I wonder if the film censors were so preoccupied that this series slipped through their fingers. Such bold storytelling has become almost as rare as green rabbits these days. (12/03/2021)

Well... Being part of the Perić family doesn't seem like a win in life, does it? It turns out I wasn't mistaken in seeing Uroš Perić's situation as utterly hopeless from the start. Imagine the desperation of having to choose between two paths to save your family, only to find out neither leads to the goal you're desperately seeking (which, of course, you didn't know at the beginning). These are the moments that make a person toss aside their Zoloft and reach for the Valium. The creators once again succeeded with me by turning a well-written script into a gem of a show. The despair and powerlessness were incredibly palpable. (12/03/2021)

The Serbian creators didn't opt for a calm before the storm leading to the finale. They instead continued in what they're truly good at. The episode was exceptionally well-written and filmed, staying true to what the series has consistently delivered and what I enjoy so much about it. (12/04/2021)

Most of the episode seemed to be tying up all the loose ends, leading to a decisive conclusion. But I ended up feeling betrayed. Well, at least I have the next season to look forward to. Despite the sneaky ending, I really enjoyed this episode. I believe that when criminals eliminate each other, us unarmed and law-abiding folks come out on top. So, it was a satisfying watch. (12/04/2021)

The second season didn't quite measure up to the first one for me, and you can see that reflected in my ratings hovering at an average of four stars. However, I decided to bump it up to a weak five because Besa holds a special place in my heart. The Serbs had a unique approach, leaving viewers guessing which significant character might suddenly exit the story. Because let's face it, Balkan people don't mess around. My slightly diminished satisfaction mostly stemmed from the main villain's less frequent appearances, though thankfully this improved in the second half. I'm crossing my fingers for a third season because Besa is precisely the kind of series that resonates with me. / Lesson learned: Sometimes, children need a firm hand. Unfortunately. 5*- (03/24/2024)

After more than two years, I'm returning to the story of the unfortunate Serbian, Uros Perić, only to discover that his life hasn't improved much since the last time. The creators brought back their perfect atmosphere and intricate storyline. After such a long hiatus, I had to reacquaint myself with each character, and recognize new faces, and for a moment, I was puzzled by why Finnish was spoken sometimes, until I realized it was Estonian. The main character's plight reminds me of that farmer who toiled on his field every day, slowly losing everything - his wife, his barn struck by lightning, his well drying up - yet he patiently endured his fate. But one day, as he plowed his field, the plow broke on a boulder, and his ox fell exhausted. It was then that the farmer fell to his knees, hands raised to the sky, and cried out: "Lord, why do you send one blow after another to me? Why must I suffer so?" And from above, a powerful voice echoed: "I don't know, you just kinda piss me off." / Lesson learned: If you're out of luck, maybe hold off on buying that lottery ticket. (03/04/2024)

The second episode was rather strange. The strange thing about it was the main character's minimal presence. With a notable decrease in the staff after the first episode, the creators had to shift focus to a range of supporting characters. This wasn't necessarily a bad thing, although there were some bits of information I could have done without. I wasn't entirely satisfied, but the series continues to uphold its great atmosphere and tension. / Lesson learned: If you're contemplating suicide, it's best to do it alone. People tend to get involved. (03/07/2024)

After watching the third episode, I can say that the second season is intriguing and sets an atmospheric tone, but it lacks the impact of the first season. The poor wretch has been somewhat sidelined, the demonic Dardan was replaced by Driton, and the custody battle between the weird Divna and her aggressive ex isn't holding my interest. Despite these issues, I have to acknowledge the potential and quality atmosphere in the story. I just wish it would stop stagnating and start building on the earlier developed action and tension. / Lesson learned: It's amusing how some women believe lines like, 'Come to the bedroom, I'm ovulating,' will work as an aphrodisiac on men. (03/08/2024)

I finally got what I was waiting for. The fourth episode of the second season could confidently stand up to comparison with the episodes of the first season. It had an intriguing plot, an intense Balkan atmosphere, tension, and well-crafted dialogues, a combination that was missing for me in the second season until now. / Lesson earned: Even the most complex life problem can be pushed into the background by something even bigger, or as they say, it's never so bad that it couldn't get worse. (03/15/2024)

The previous episode had me absolutely hooked, but this one didn't quite hit the same mark. Now, that's not to say it was bad; I haven't encountered a truly bad episode of Besa yet, and I don't think I will. It just wasn't a flawless affair. I'd divide the plot into thirds: two were in line with the standard of the second season, and one third could compare with the first. However, it's still an awesome show, where the creators truly put in the effort. / Lesson learned: Life is full of decisions to be made. (03/17/2024)