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General Summary (No Spoilers)
I do love the occasional foreign TV series. Black Spot is a winner. Originally titled Zone Blanche (that's French for White Zone, referring to the "dead zone" for cell coverage that plays a part in the series' plot. Debuting in 2017, the series has only two seasons (18 episodes) but it ends satisfyingly like a limited series. Black Spot takes place in fictional, isolated town of Villefranche, using atmospheric visuals and rich character development to enhance an already intriguing plot. Villefranche, another character in the series, is being by a staggering 30% higher crime rate than the national average. The arrival of new police chief Laurène, played compellingly by Suliane Brahim, ignites the narrative as she tries to uncover not just the town's dark secrets but also her own haunted past, intricately linked to Villefranche's history.
The series weaves together local lore, mythology, mysterious disappearances, and a sinister forest. Travelers through this forest include my favorite character, the handsome Hubert Delattre as Martial, a gendarme (That's another French word meaning armed police officer), is a gay man in love with Samir Boitard playing Paul Meric, a local hunky fireman. I loved how this relationship was introduced with no fan fare, faux (French again!) surprise, etc. The writers treat this coupling as expected as any other, and their relationship's primary struggle too familiar to all of us, gay or straight: it's sometimes impossible to meet the real needs of another person. This plays to a central theme of the series: isolation within the close-knit community. While residents may appear united, deep-seated secrets threaten to unravel this gay relationship just as it does others, a dynamic many viewers can relate to. This rich character development and the interweaving of crime and mythology themes creates an engaging, layered viewing experience.
Furthermore, Black Spot ponders the nature of evil. Are the sinister forces in Villefranche and our lives purely supernatural, or do they arise from our own actions?
Pacing can become slow, especially during the middle episodes, where the action can slow, diminishing the sense of urgency in the earlier episodes. However, I found the well-structured character development and intricate storylines compensate for these slow moments. The finale, which sees Laurène confront her deepest fears, concludes with a thought-provoking resolution that encourages viewers to reflect on the characters' journeys. If you are not dissuaded by the fact the series is in French, I'd highly recommend.
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