Necrotongue

This episode took a somewhat atypical turn for the series. The atmosphere, as always, was on point, but the plot of the second episode struck me as weaker than usual. I reckon I'm not alone in this sentiment, as the creators made a point to showcase a final, roughly fifteen-minute stretch for comparison, which, in contrast, was quite eventful, and I'm giving it four stars to show my appreciation. The third season trails noticeably behind the first one. However, I'm still enjoying the series, and I'm not just following it out of habit. / Lesson learned: A coconut is harder than an orange. 4*-

The Romanians are still following HBO's directions, trying not to be ashamed of the outcome. The first episode suggests they're doing okay so far. We've said goodbye to the original prime quality, but fingers crossed that the series will maintain at least its secondary quality in its third season. After the introductory episode, it's clear how the cards are dealt. The atmosphere was excellent, and I'm not disappointed by the plot, so I'm giving it four stars. / Lesson learned: Catching a mole is one thing, but what do you do with it when it is a protected animal?

In the second season, the harsh reality hit – money talks. HBO pulled some strings, and their "upgrades" took center stage. The once-Romanian show about organized crime took on a more European flavor, morphing into an action-packed thriller. Not that the second season was a total dud; I wasn't checking my watch (except for that opening episode). But the disappointment lingered as believability took a hit, and the creators veered into the mundane territory trodden by many crime series. / Lesson learned: Changes aren't necessarily for the better.

I hesitated to drop below the four-star mark because a lot was unfolding. The creators once again crafted a gripping atmosphere, and the final episode of the sixth season wasn't half bad. I could potentially get on board with another season, but the Romanians have set the bar high, and this season fell short. Much like the previous episode, I couldn't shake the feeling that the creators were striving too hard for global acclaim, which didn't do their show any favors. That authentic storyline that had won me over seemed to vanish in the last couple of episodes, which is a shame. / Lesson learned: Don't set trucks on fire; it's not environmentally friendly. 4*-

I'm not sure what's happened, but it's not the same as it used to be. I applauded the third episode of the second season, but since then, the plot has lost some of its strength. The fifth episode wasn't terrible, but I wasn't thrilled that it no longer centers around Relu. The creators apparently opted for a broader approach, but it doesn't quite sit well with me, turning the second season into a more generic affair that there's already an abundance of. Plus, it seems like they like comic books a lot in the Balkans; otherwise, I don't get the Romanian variation on Joker. It really gets on my nerves. I'm hoping the creators (and consequently, the entire series) can bounce back and return to the qualities of the first season in the end. I'm hoping, but I'm not holding my breath. / Lesson learned: A mute witness is still a witness. 4*-

After this episode, I finally grasped the significance of the introduction in the previous one; I simply overlooked another time jump. The fourth episode was undeniably high quality—the atmosphere was fantastic, and the plot was interesting. However, I couldn't shake the feeling that the events of the previous season seemed more believable and had more momentum. I don't want to overly criticize the Romanian creators because they consistently provide me with extraordinary experiences, but I still have a minor complaint as they've demonstrated they're capable of better performances. Well, once you get a taste for something, it's hard for me to let go./ Lesson learned: You can't split a log with your head.

The second season is following in the footsteps of the first, which is definitely a good thing. Admittedly, the introduction of the third episode remains somewhat unclear to me, but overall, I thoroughly enjoyed it in every aspect. The creators decided to steer clear of weddings and the perpetually annoying wife, instead returning the series to the familiar pace and atmosphere I had come to appreciate. They avoided affected conversations and focused on realistic dialogue that got straight to the point, like this gem: "What are you doing?" "Peeing." No grand romance here; it's more grounded in reality. / Lesson learned: Torture is pretty nasty but brings undeniable results.

It's confirmed once again that weddings are not my cup of tea, and they can really ruin the atmosphere. There was no festive frolicking in the second episode, and suddenly everything got better. Relu was back, and his silence made it clear that he had something to say. The creators managed to recapture the atmosphere of the first season in this episode, and it worked well because it brought back that special mood where I always expect something to happen — usually something unpleasant. I must also add that I'm not a fan of clichés from gangster movies and TV shows, but I'll overlook it this time because my favorite character is back. / Lesson learned: When the local head of organized crime starts talking about his ideals, make sure you're not standing on plastic.

The opening episode of the second season didn't leave the same impression on me as the episodes from the previous season. I've grown accustomed to a somewhat faster pace and a more engaging plot, both of which were missing here. Moody teenagers and wedding festivities have never been my thing, so I wasn't fully invested in most of the first episode's storyline, and the extended running time was noticeable. Sure, there were a few interesting moments, but just as something exciting started happening, the end credits rolled, and once again, I felt like a little boy whose toy was taken away and broken by older kids at the playground. Need a new one! / Lesson learned: Always buckle up in the car and hope that there won't be a fire in case there is an accident.

I saw the show's first three seasons at one time and I remember that I really liked it, but when I returned to it after years (and caught up with three missing seasons), the excitement wasn't there. It is true that Community contains episodes that almost made me burst with laughter and that I would gladly watch again, but there were far fewer of those episodes than I had hoped for. The writing took a nosedive, which I came to terms with, so I was surprised at how much I enjoyed the fifth season. However, it turned out that it was only the dying sparks. I couldn't believe the development... no, the degeneration the character of Britta Perry went through. Should I take it as a warning against using marijuana? On the other hand, Annie Edison was excellent. In my eyes, the show suffered greatly from (increasingly frequent in later seasons) recycled ideas and the associated loss of originality. / Lesson learned: Cabin fever can be prevented by changing the crew.