Consistently bad

I imagine a part of its appeal is that is shows people and situations we wouldn't see otherwise? Maybe Midsomer Murders would be a big hit in France.

Seriously, if you have other French shows you recommend, please post them up. I've heard Bracquo (sp?) is a good French cop thriller.

You must be one of the few that didn't like it , the rest if us just raved about it , cannot wait for season 4. And if you are really French , you should know that the police is depicted quite well in this serie , very close from reality.

The subtitles are often stupid and quite inaccurate. The translators who i believe are british did a very poor job. If you simply depend on those subtitles then you miss half of the show interest. All characters use specific slang and lingo that are not translated properly.
The characters do have a lot of substance. And because they are so imperfect just as we are, we empathize. Gilou, Laure, Roban make sometime choices that are wrong to get where they want. So do we.

I can understand not liking the show. It's gritty, unnerving, and at times, even deeply infuriating (in what it depicts). But I'm not quite sure using the word "mediocre" works. All that I described about the show is exactly the point---this is definitely not 'Le Sang de la Vigne' (which I also really like) just because they're both French. Not all crime dramas have the same "flavor." 'Engrenages' is right down in the trenches---but in what I sense is a deeply unique (meaning particularly) French way. Slang and idiomatic phrasing is frankly almost impossible to translate well partially because they have to be experienced in context---once you've heard enough, you just "know" what a phrase might mean. I get enough of what's going on to not miss not being fully "in" on all the nuances. I think the actors and actresses are quite convincing in the way they can express layers of feelings and thoughts, from hesitation, to desire, to frustration, to anger and loss. Yet, it's never overdone, and there IS a touch of that moral arrow's compass turning (this is soooo French, IMO---there's always this exploration of the "what is 'right'" lurking around as a strong subtext). You take Karlsson? She isn't simply a "cold opportunist", even though that side of her tends to get the upper hand. The actress is able to let shades of doubt, remorse, and definitely fear to cross her face and be revealed through her body language enough that we're reminded that she's very vulnerable even as she wreaks incredible havoc at the same time. That's what makes her interesting even if you might despise the character. The casualness of corruption is equally matched by the restrained sense of "right judgement" and its twin, a familiar sense of "proper procedure" (again, SO French) that is its counterpoint in the halls of justice. Meanwhile, the police have to deal with a very different set of issues---and often can't stand on "proper procedure," yet, in a funny way, they both play and don't play fair. They have a sense of strong teamwork---and I like the fact that everyone is a little broken sometimes, that's very important for character development. I also enjoy seeing how deals are negotiated and statements taken in French "offices of law"---it is QUITE different than here in the US, and that is fascinating. I think this show is anything but mediocre.

You are so wrong. This is magnificent in every way. Writing, casting. The stories interconnect; the characters are alive and not from central casting. I am writing from the US and it's 2015. This started 10 years ago. It's amazing that I never saw it or knew anything about it. I have never seen anything so real. Locations, homeless look homeless, autopsies. Even the mistakes they make, which are many, you can understand. I really think this is better than The Wire. And the lead, Laure, here is a woman who really takes care of her co-workers and in such a male-dominated group and with male superiors, she is marvelous in how she maneuvers. She is one of the most interesting characters. I love how there are loose ends. Nothing is neatly tied up. There is one criminal theme that goes through all episodes and there are equally interesting small themes running through it. You see just enough personal stuff on each character revealed through the main themes. So nothing out of the blue. It has mystery, suspense. It's just so much better than most TV and TV in the US has gotten phenomenal through other networks like HBO. But even at its best, like the Sopranos, The Wire, they still seem a bit contrived and nothing compares to the realism of this show. You can see why there are 2-3 years between seasons. It must take a lot time to write one of these - definitely a skillful team all the way around. It's like being on a bewitching and very fast ride.

Yeah I enthusiastically agree with many like,letess ans peace above...the OP just did not like it for whatever reasons...wonder what the op does like? Somebody, most likely everyone involved with this has a lot of work and skill in play. Complicated runninglots for a dozen episodes, with sometimes left hanging....like real life. How the heck do they get the gore..bodies...wounds to look like that..gad. Sort of my only prob is hard to watch while eating dinner. Yikes.

I have to disagree with every single word you wrote.

I was bowled over by this outstanding show. To me it's the best cop show ever.

Love the characters, especially Roban, who is like a cross between Judge Dredd and a mime artist.

As a Brit I say, to find out why we love this show, try watching BBC drama. Spoiler: It sucks arse.

By the way, try using paragraphs if you want to be read.



Don't Care What The Governments Say
They're All Bought And Paid For Anyway

- Sun Green

Your comments seem so all encompassingly negative I suspect perhaps you are just joking...? How could any show miss on so many factors you have listed ( well of course pick many U.S. shows....that's pretty much a given). ?
Lucky for most of us fans the seasons / shows keep coming....and keep being excellent!