Netflix Department Q Review
image from Netflix
We were not able to go out last weekend as we usually do because of wifey's weekend appointment. So I stayed at home during the weekend and marathoned the new series on Netflix, Department Q. My officemates have been bugging me to watch it and claimed that it was good. So I ordered some drinks from Coco, opened Taters popcorn and hunkered down to for a whole day marathon.
Introduction
image from Netflix
Department Q is a slow burn mystery thriller set in Scotland. The series stars Matthew Goode who I last saw in the brilliant adaptation of Watchmen (2009). Here he plays Carl Morck who was shot on the job seemingly on accident. The shooting incident is another mystery of its own which would seem to continue on the next season. Anyway, after the shooting, Morck had trauma and guilt due to his near death experience and he felt responsilbe for the death of a rookie cop and the paralysis of his partner. When he got back on the job, he was assigned to lead "Department Q" that aimed to solve previous unsolved cases. The first case his team (including Syrian ex-cop Akram and female DI Rose) tackled was that of Merritt Lyngard, a prosecutor who disappeared on a boat ride with his mentally challenged brother. Throughout the nine episode series, the team aided by Morck's ex-partner Hardy, investigated the disappearance going back to Merritt's past and uncovering some corruption along the way.
Review
Matthew Goode's Carl Morck reminded me of Dr. House. A grumpy guy who is great at his work. He delivers a believable performance, showing guilt and inner trauma. His team of mysterious Syrian ex-cop Akram (Alexej Manvelov) and ex-suicidee DC Rose Dickson played by Leah Byrne bring chemistry.
The series is a slow burn mystery thriller and sometimes I felt it was too much of a slow burn at nine episodes. On the other hand, it had enough mystery that kept me watching. What I liked best were the characters and their flaws. Morck was traumatized and plagued by guilt, Akram was mysterious and seems there's more to dig about his past in Syria, Rose also experienced an accident that led her to attempt suicide. Together, they try to fix their lives while solving the case which they are good at. On the background another team is investigating Morck's shooting and it seems it's not accidental as first thought.
In the end, it was satisfying how the mystery was solved. I particularly liked the ending scene with the music that I had to search on youtube.
Welcome Home by Radical Face (youtube)
Conclusion
Department Q is an interesting mystery crime thriller that focuses on character development. I also liked the Scottish setting and their thick accents. It's pacing was a bit long but the end was emotionally rewarding as we see our heroes back on their feet including DCI Hardy. I can't wait for season two but would prefer shorter episodes.