Tijuana

Although I don't speak Spanish (I do speak Italian) I am picking it up fast from the many superb Spanish language series that are available on Netflix. However, this was a great disappointment. I cannot fault the acting or the production which was very professional and together these were the series redeeming features. However, the plot, the story line and the characters leave a lot to be desired. The plot is so slow as to be sleep inducing; the story line is so narrow that it completely fails to involve the audience and the characters are given so little depth that they remain shallow and uninteresting. In fact it took 4 episodes before I started to remember the names of the main characters. The sub-plots are left unresolved and they are dis-connected and inconsequencial that this hardly seems to matter. All in all I struggled to stay awake through a number of the episodes and although early on, I rewatched the scenes that I had missed , by episode 8 I gave up and just carried on knowing that I had missed nothing worth racapping. Incidentally there is absolutely NOTHING I this series to justify an 18 rating - No violence, No sex, No nudity and No profanity (other than everyday natural Mexican/Spanish street vulgarity). A lot of really good acting, brilliant direction and top rank production wasted on a bum plot, story line and script.

A testimonial fiction about the fight of medium size newspaper against the corruption in Mexico caused by the influence of the Narcos in the Governor election in Baja California. It is a plight of the journalists against the ensuing violence that left many of them murdered. Simply told and with a striking ending

A team of reporters from a Tijuana newspaper investigates the murder of a candidate for governor emerged from the working class. Who benefits from his death? The premise makes for a great series. Unfortunately, "Tijuana" remains a promise for the viewer, as a result of a bad script. It is frankly difficult to feel affection for any of the characters, which go from the anodyne (Lesbian photographer) to the stupid (the Editor's son). Even Demian Alcázar, an experienced actor, is unconvincing and, in my view, a casting error. Maybe the only ones who play it well are Mueller (Rodrigo Abed, who is repulsive, but that's the way he's supposed to be), and Tamara Vallarta. On the positive side, cinematography, which includes aerial shots, is good. A pity. "Tijuana" could have been much better.

Compares with the Wire. Journalists in the search for answers amidst crooked politicians, government, unions and police. really good acting and interesting variable story line. A couple of over the top characters, but the actions are largely very believable and give a good understanding of modern MX. I really like a couple of things about it a LOT, one is that there is very little makeup and the people are not overly pretty in a Hollywood/US TV sense, and also there are a lot of good portrayals of women, it could hardly be seen as a macho production.

The series surprised me in a positive way, I thought it was going to be something too political and complicated, but it is not, the story is easy to follow. The theme is really strong, frustrating and very sad. There are many exciting moments throughout the series.

For me, what makes me watch the whole series with more interest are the actors and roles of Rodrigo Abed (Muller) and Damian Alcazar(Borja). The most interesting characters in the entire series, no doubt.

The series could have been shorter, there are parts that are not necessary at all. Some of the actors do not reach the level they should but perhaps this is why the dialogues are more realistic. The episodes a short.

I recommend it, and if you like journalism and the authenticity of a newspaper that fights for their rights, you will like it even more.