Season 1 |
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Episode Guide
Episode 1 -| Review Score – 3/5
Episode 2 -| Review Score – 3/5
Episode 3 -| Review Score – 3/5
Episode 4 -| Review Score – 3/5
Episode 5 -| Review Score – 3/5
Episode 6 -| Review Score – 3/5
You know that feeling when you start a show with zero expectations, or worse, with a mindset that it is going to be pretty average but you want to watch it anyway to pass the time? And then it takes you by surprise by how entertaining it actually is? Well, that’s what we experienced with Public Disorder.
Also known as A.C.A.B La serie, it is a Netflix Original from Italy based on Charles Bonini’s controversial novel, ACAB. It follows a riot squad in Rome and their views on loyalty and revenge vs duty. The 6-episode series stars Marco Giallini, Valentina Belle, Pierluigi Gigante and Adriano Giannini, and is helmed by Filippo Gravino.
Public Disorder Season 1 follows Roma Unit 3 which is under scrutiny after a protestor is severely beaten and their squad leader is injured. Their new squad leader, Nobili is a goody-two-shoes who has also snitched on his own colleagues. He struggles to win over the unit while there is trouble at home.
At the same time, Sergeant Mazinga controls the unit while Marta has doubts when an investigation is launched to arrest the protestor’s assaulter. Mazinga’s right-hand man, Officer Salvatore uses threats to keep the unit in line as they start cracking.
In all honesty, we expected this Italian Netflix show to be an interesting but shallow take on a sensitive issue. If we look at the premise, riot cops are the protagonists of the show and in the short 6 episodes, it tries to show the pros and cons of police work in riots.
But no matter your view on this controversial topic, the Netflix show elevates itself by focusing on the characters and giving them their own personal drama that is intertwined with the overarching premise.
Public Disorder Season 1 picks up once there is a sudden change of heart in one of the characters. It not only sets off redemption arcs for the rest, but it also surprises us and has us looking forward to what direction the squad will head towards. It also brings to the front the set-ups in the premiere that will have viewers trying to guess the resolution.
And while the characters are not likeable in the standard sense, the actors put their heart into the show, catching our attention. Italian veteran actor, Marco Giallini, who was also in the film adaptation, leads the charge as the vengeful Mazinga who starts questioning the system.
Another actor from the ensemble who deserves a shoutout is Pierluigi Gigante as he adds a sense of danger with his unhinged portrayal of Salvatore. But while he is the brute archetype at the beginning, certain moments make us realise that nothing is completely black and white.
But, despite it being an exciting watch, Public Disorder Season 1 does stay on the shallow end of evergreen problems of corruption in law enforcement and the police officer dilemma. What is the show’s strength is also its weakness. Once Public Disorder Season 1 establishes that it isn’t taking any one side and that there are good cops and bad, it loses its footing when it comes to the purpose of the show.
It ends up spending the rest of its runtime on the characters’ personal matters. Having barely scratched the surface of policing ethics, we can only hope that should it be renewed, Season 2 will be able to provide closure while also bringing back the beguiling members of Roma Unit 3.
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Verdict - 6.5/10
6.5/10