TV Review // Salamander: Series 1, Episodes 11 and 12
After five weeks of poker
faced conspiracy and a decent count of bodies and intrigue Salamander comes to
an end with this much anticipated finale. But did it deliver?
We’ve said before that
Salamander is hardly the most original of series, but that’s not to unfairly
knock it. In some ways it’s a by the numbers cop show that has mixed in
elements of conspiracy theory and action movies and exists as a strange but
compelling hybrid of them all.
These final two episodes
do nothing to shake that notion but they do resolve the plot in an unexpectedly
uncomplicated manner and set the ball rolling for the reportedly already green
lit second season in a neat but vague manner.
With Geradi dining at
Salamander destruction bent Gils Wolf’s very nice house in the country and
finding a new girlfriend in the process things move quickly from there. Soon
(and somewhat predictably) his real identity is discovered and the vague plot
strokes become clearer as we find out just what Gils plans are. In fact, they
are remarkably similar to more than a good hour’s thoughts about the plot would
indicate.
The flashback sequences
are given context as learn that Salamander boss Jonkhere’s father framed his
father as a traitor after shooting him after that fateful delivery in 1944 and,
rather understandably he isn’t too happy about it. This last minute bonding
between the two men doesn’t really resonate in any emotional sense but then
again Salamander is not a show to dwell too much on such things, after all.
Indeed, when Gils’ former
stealth contract killer Klaus is discharged from his service, the big guns come
out. Literally! With Klaus offering the whereabouts of Gils and the 66 files to
Jonkhere a closing narrative quickly emerges. Of course, it’s a bloody ending with
Jonkhere shot by Gils so suddenly it seems like nothing has happened. A second
viewing is called for perhaps?
As to the closing minutes,
we see Geradi placing flowers on deceased wife Sarah’s grave with daughter and
co on hand. Is it a happy ending? Looks
like it… but is all it seems? You really never know in Salamander. We then see
a flash forward to six months later, and the slimy Vincent is leading a meeting
with the council of the Salamander group, listened to by Geradi. The troops
come out, guns in hand but is it the end for Salamander? It’s difficult to say
until the second series is broadcast!
Conclusions:
Over twelve episodes, (perhaps
too many on reflection when ten would have sufficed and kept slower moments to
a minimum), we’ve seen good old fashioned detectives, conspiracy, murder, sex,
tragedy, politics and family collide together in what has been an enjoyable but
on occasion too easy ride. Many will have compared this to forerunner in the
coveted Sat 9pm timeslot The Bridge and found it lacking, but perhaps that’s
not the point. Taken on its own Salamander is a well acted and produced show
that needs a good trim on occasion, but that shouldn’t stop you from enjoying
it as a good old fashioned European detective romp that needs the belief
suspension switch turned extremely high.