“Salamander”—Hiding Under a Rock
This Belgian drama twelve-part TV miniseries, released through Netflix and BBC in 2014, is a crime thriller in the same league as the edge-of-the-seat series Wallander, Bridge, and The Killing.
A small private bank in Brussels, is robbed of 66 safe deposit boxes belonging to some of the most prominent statesmen in Belgium. A scandal is brewing since all are members of a secret society, code-named Salamander, dating back to the Second World War. A highly scrupulous police inspector Paul Gerardi (Filip Peeters) begins the investigation, unaware of the implications for himself and for national security. Suicides and murders are only part of the consequence of his detective work. The conspiracy has to be coaxed from under its rock of secrecy and the darkness of its immorality. “Salamander” is the story of one man against the establishment of corruption and wealth, carefully plotting his hunt for the perpetrators in a series of episodes with methodical revelations of clues. Gerardi’s life devolves into a nightmare for him and for his family.
“Salamander” is set for an English-language remake by Oscar-winning filmmaker and director Paul Haggis (of “Crash” and “Million Dollar Baby” fame). A second series is also being written by the Belgian film maker.
This TV series is both addicting and electrifying. “Salamander” is meticulous craftsmanship that should be retrieved from under its rock.
Eugene
Diana,
You may have missed the mark here…The series is okay but not addicting. It moves along and has the usual action stuff but very far behind the first Killing series. What I like about Netflix is recommendations from one series to others. Your readers may be interested in The Assets. An excellent series about the hunt for CIA traitor Aldrich Ames and some of the bungling at the CIA in finally uncovering him. Eugene
Diana
Hi Eugene,
I’ve tried The Assets and it doesn’t seem as action-oriented as “Salamander”. But, I do agree that The Killing is more suspenseful, but I stand by my assessment of “Salamander”, similar genre as The Killing but not so much intensity. Going to finish The Assets–my first reaction may change as I get more into the series. Thanks for sharing and continuing to follow my blog!