The first season.
The idea is rich (how could it not be?), Alexandre Dumas' Count of Monte Cristo is a theme one can elaborate upon considerably. Sadly, they stretched it by length and by breadth and produced a porous fabric. It started well, then, sadly, slid into a telenovela. The plot here dashes, then trails. The acting is bad, almost all the (fairly) young actors act unnatural or stilted (excepting Diana Sar and Anghel Damian). Camera angles and shots are frequently toneless or drab. Points for effort, but needs more professionals and, definitely, another director.
After the second season. It is still a telenovela, but with more action, some humorous dialogues, less overacting, less maudlin scenes, less eye-piercing (*expletive) camera (rife in the first season), new characters, extended plot, and more of Anghel Damian's scripting, that take the second season to a higher (better) level. Still, the scenography is wanting from time to time. Episode 3 part II, the fight between Vlad and Leo looks simulated. Episode 4 part I, medical aid outfit just hanging there, anyone could use it. And more...
Points for episode 13 part I, great drama, great acting (see Tibi at Leo's bed). The show looks promising.
I'll come back with the third season assessment.
After the second season. It is still a telenovela, but with more action, some humorous dialogues, less overacting, less maudlin scenes, less eye-piercing (*expletive) camera (rife in the first season), new characters, extended plot, and more of Anghel Damian's scripting, that take the second season to a higher (better) level. Still, the scenography is wanting from time to time. Episode 3 part II, the fight between Vlad and Leo looks simulated. Episode 4 part I, medical aid outfit just hanging there, anyone could use it. And more...
Points for episode 13 part I, great drama, great acting (see Tibi at Leo's bed). The show looks promising.
I'll come back with the third season assessment.