Gangs of Galicia: Is This Spanish Crime Drama Worth Watching
 |
| Gangs of Galicia Review |
If you're into Spanish crime dramas, Gangs of Galicia has
arrived on Netflix, but does it deserve a spot on your watch list? Here's a
detailed breakdown of this seven-episode series.
Gangs of Galicia Trailer
Plot Overview
A lawyer
arrives in the small town of Kados with the intention of settling accounts with
her past. The story is straightforward: Anna, a lawyer from Madrid, moves to
the small seaside town of Kados after a family tragedy to get answers about her
past. The town is run by drug traffickers, and Anna finds herself entangled in
their business, forcing her to decide her next move.
Episode Structure
While the
first episode is about an hour long, the majority of the episodes fall within
the 40-minute range. The drama in the series is high, involving a ton of family
dynamics. Not only do we watch Anna interact with her family, but we also
witness the large extended family of the Pines, the drug traffickers who live
in the town. Their business is well-known, and because of their wealth and
power, they operate fairly easily until a national investigation begins to
form.
Family Dynamics
Another
family, consisting of a grandmother, her daughter, and granddaughter who run a
local bar and cafe, is also central to the story. Each of the characters in the
show is intertwined with others, leading to complex and often harried
situations. The story lingers longest within the family dynamic realm. There is
certainly enough content to create a show around this, but the narrative can be
bogged down due to the many familial ties.
Character Interactions
Some
relationships are barely touched upon, making certain aspects unnecessary for
the plot. For example, Daniel, the lead character's nephew, is integral to
portions of the storyline, but his parents are ill-defined extras who bicker in
the background. The complexity of the large family creates several story
complications that help keep the pace flowing but also causes too many
diversions that pull viewers in different directions.
Crime Aspect
The crime
aspect of the show works but is not novel or unique. Drug trafficking and
smuggling are rather uninspiring when it comes to intrigue. Because there isn't
a lot of action, the drama needs to be more engaging. Thankfully, some of it
is, but the story progression is pretty obvious. The decisions made by the
characters in the first episode basically spell out the trajectory for the rest
of the show, at least with the main plot.
Shifts in Focus
The story
chooses to focus heavily on the Pavine family and their smuggling activities,
which can be interesting but also puts Anna's quest on the back burner. There
is still relevance and some connectedness to all the arcs, but when a story
that starts with a character trying to gain information shifts to the
activities of drug traffickers, it can come across as if the writers lost the
plot a bit.
Time Jumps
Several
time jumps occur within the show, with most of them taking place in the first
episode. We get on-screen notices of the time, so it's not confusing, but it
does feel clunky and disjointed, especially in the beginning. These jumps are
used to get us to more interesting events that can only take place once some
time has passed, but it also feels like we're missing big chunks of context in
Anna's life. These jumps don't completely ruin the experience but can be
distracting.
Character Chemistry
While Anna
and Daniel have good chemistry, some other characters in the limited series
come across as bumps on logs, even though they are intended to be large,
foreboding presences. For example, the Pine dad is painted as a ruthless
criminal, but nothing about his persona creates a scary or menacing presence.
On the other side of the law, officers meant to convey intimidating legal power
and influence come across as impotent when it comes to coercion.
Conclusion
All in
all, Gangs of Galicia is a mixed bag of enjoyment. The lead
characters work well together to craft a strained and troubled relationship
that's also hesitantly sweet, but the predictability and unoriginality of the
story greatly reduce the overall engagement and intrigue. Multiple familial
complications contribute more distraction than cohesiveness. There is sex, some
nudity, a ton of profanity, and a bunch of violence. I give Gangs of Galicia
two and a half out of five couches.
Summery
Gangs of Galicia, a Spanish crime drama on Netflix, follows lawyer Anna as she moves to the seaside town of Kados to uncover her past amid a backdrop of drug trafficking. While the seven-episode series delves into complex family dynamics and interactions, the crime aspect feels uninspired and predictable. Time jumps and numerous character relationships can be distracting, and some key figures lack depth. Despite the good chemistry between Anna and her nephew Daniel, the story often loses focus and originality. With a mix of violence, profanity, and some nudity, the series receives a rating of two and a half out of five couches.
Post a Comment