You don’t need to watch seasons 1 and 2 of “Undercover” to appreciate its riveting 3rd, but why wouldn’t you? Both are reasonably satisfying viewing and lay the foundation for the best season in this Belgian/Dutch series on Netflix. The conceit: undercover agents infiltrate drug trafficking organizations to bring the kingpins to justice.
While the plot is rife with twists and turns, characterization is the key element. Pairing an agent, Bob Lemmons, with a drug lord, Ferry Bouman, puts a different spin on the buddy genre. Their relationship evolves — or devolves — as circumstances determine. Add a female mastermind, Leyla Bulut, and this trio commands our attention.
To help discover a mole in the drug squad, Bob returns to the federal police force and forms an unlikely partnership with his former adversary Ferry, who gets early release from prison for the assignment. The two must overcome their history; after all, under the guise of friendship Bob busted Ferry. Ferry can appear trustworthy, even though he’s a self-serving, lying lout. The men present as longstanding business partners to establish credibility with Leyla and her husband Sorkan, leaders of a sophisticated Turkish gang that’s dominating the drug trade — no easy task as Leyla exercises supreme caution before entering into a new alliance. She puts them to several tests while others investigate their backgrounds. No spoiler alert, but Bob’s resolute wife comes to his rescue on a few occasions.
The excellent script writing features suspenseful exploits, including a bungled trip to Turkey, as well as the caustic humour associated with buddies. All the while we attempt to see through the multiple layers of deceit. A tense and gripping season of eight episodes, “Undercover 3” earns a rating of ♦♦♦♦½ from both Glen and me.
Chris Krueger says
Thanks Pam. I’m looking forward to watching this!
Linda Richardson says
That sounds like excellent viewing Pam. Rick and I just finished a British series on HBO (Crave) that your readers might enjoy. We would certainly recommend it. It is a 2021 limited series called “Landscapers.” Based on the real-life case of a devoted, middle-aged couple who become embroiled in an investigation of two bodies buried in a garden behind a house in England. The bodies have been buried for 15 years. The series stars Olivia Coleman and David Thewlis and the acting, screenwriting and directing are superb in our opinion. However, what sets this series apart from other murder mysteries is the use of different story-telling vehicles. At one point, the cast appear to be part of an old Western movie. At another point, they move from one stage set to another while the detectives try to unravel how the crime occurred. All highly entertaining!
Pam McPhail says
We don’t get HBO (Crave) in Arizona but I will add your recommendation to view when we return to Vancouver. Seems to me Barb also enjoyed this series.
Linda W says
Both recommendations sound great and will be added to my wish list. Thank you.
Marie McLean says
Sounds interesting, Pam. Thanks for the recommendation. Have you seen Sneaky Pete on Amazon about a con man? We found that fun and interesting.
Pam McPhail says
Nice take and give, Marie. We’ll check out Sneaky Pete, maybe as soon as tonight as we’re between series. We recently watched “A Hero”, an Iranian film on Prime; it leads to much discussion in its moral, social and political complexity.
Janet Anderson says
I’ve watched two episodes Pam.
A friend is into season two and calls it a “white knuckler”.
Pam McPhail says
Your comment reads like you recently succumbed to the temptation of Netflix, Janet. If so, you’ve got plenty of good shows to “catch up” on.