User reviews

/refers to Season 1/

The recent decade has seen me moving away from U.S. and partially British crime drama (mini)series and focusing on wider geographical area. Thus, when I was referred to an Israeli one, I was anxious to see what was on offer from a country where security, army and intelligence form a vast part of daily life.

It all started working from the first scene, and the thrill was maintained throughout the season. In spite of some clichés, predictable scenes and questionable "blunders" around the Prime Minister, this series is pleasant to follow: it is thrilling, fast-paced, with good cast (particularly Ayelet Zurer as Dr. Yael Danon and Yoav Rothman as Assaf Danon), and you get an overview of beautiful Jerusalem as well as living in a highly secured country due to lots of hostile people around and within (although no Arabs were visible to me this time).

The final episode had multiple sub-endings, promising a sequel, which I am eager to follow as well (although I heard that the cast is partially different). All in all, Bnei Aruba 1 was a pleasant familiarisation with Isreali series and listening to Hebrew in almost all conversations.

What a treat! I started watching without knowing what this was about. I just couldn't turn it off! This is a really terrific series. The performances are very good indeed. Don't miss this show.

Made in Israel!Filmed around and in Jerusalem.This excellent thriller/drama ,which is the foundation for the CBS aired HOSTAGES,will keep you glued to your chairs/sofa wherever you are. Each episode will end before you notice it even begun. Ayelet Zurer and Yair Lotan ,as well as the rest of the cast, are giving us a compelling performance . Although fiction ,yet one keeps thinking ...what if.... The story line is not just about "the task "given to Dr Danon.There are several other "issues" going on at the same time without them casting any shadow on the main story line.And remember one thing,the show does not end until the fat lady sings. With season 2 now reaching episode 8 the plot thickens.Do not miss season 2!

This is the first Israeli native TV serial I've watched and it left me surprised. The characters and acting backed by a very strong storyline was too good.These sort of TV shows are very rare and it's a must watch if you like action, suspense, drama with good storyline. Edge of the seat thriller !

From the very first episode Hostages commands its viewers attention and doesn't let it go until the very last episode of Season 2! Unlike the American remake, Hostages cleverly weaves surprises, intrigue as well as a considerate amount of character development for a short time span show. Pros: -Great casting, and believable acting -Loved the soundtrack, added perfectly to the intensity of each scene -Intriguing plot -The cinematography is visually striking, particularly if you like older buildings

I really liked the show but there were some b-movie scenes and flaws which ruined a lot. Especially the end was totally unrealistic. Too bad.

It gets better with every episode, addictive. It should be released in English.

This is one for fans of Homeland or lesser spy dramas. There is nobody who we would recognise as stars and the subtitles and the complicated plot makes it hard to follow at times but it is worth sticking with. There was an American version of this but it did not last long. I find it hard to praise this enough,it has good action scenes but also requires the viewer to engage their brain. Unlike so many American tv shows it actually uses real locations,not 1970s style sets.

It could have, maybe, 6 episodes of 1h total.

Instead, season 2 totally unnecessary, adding characters and plots that did not match.

It's not bad, but it's incredible long for no reason.

Plot, Cast, Dialogues everything thjs just perfectly planned! Loved it!

Typically any suspense/action thriller coming from Israel will involve a Palestinian sub-plot of someone trying to blow something up. Hostages is a breath of fresh air and a masterpiece of intricate plot twists mixed with suspense and action. There were a few holes and issues with predictability (I guessed the major "twist" in the first episode after the character set-ups), but for the most part it is very well-acted and gives the viewer insight into the lives of various segments of Israeli society. In fact, the underlining theme seemed to be that if you take away the "other" (i.e. the Palestinians...never so much as mentioned once here) in the surreal, dehumanizing and ultra-militarized society that is Israel, the citizens themselves will eventually turn on each other for whatever reason. In the end of season one, you find yourself asking if there really are any heroes or "good guys" to be found at all in this series. That being said, I'd say just watch Season 1, as the 2nd seems to have jumped the shark.

After FAUDA, I discover this awesome TV show, and not speaking of the same topic. But I must admit that, for once since I watch modern series, I highly prefer the second season; the first one was unbearable to me, mainly because of the characters, too smooth, too polished for my taste, and too much predictable for some one like me. In the second season, you also have a hostage case, more complex, where things are explained one after the other, and with a terrific bad guy, a pure evil one, played by an Israeli actor who really looks like a Nazi SS officer !!! ha ha I have rarely seen such a pure disgusting and sophisticated SOB whom you wish to die in agony after one episode. An excement second season with a good ending too.

One important thing that has not been mentioned in the other comments. This series from Israel is absolutely without Palestinians, which is very surprising in such a political thriller show made in Israel. Only in the last two episodes, maybe they are vaguely evoked, and only for a kind of subplot, which has nothing to do with the main one!!!

Really interested in the first few episodes, but later it transoforms in a bad soap opera-like tv show and the plot is unconvincing and just plainly bad.

A one time watch. Show starts of well and builds up the thrill of figuring out what will happen next. But fails to deliver what's promised by the end. The climax becomes a bit predictable and whole show leaves up with loose open ends that audience has to figure out themselves. Tisca chopra and Ronit roy acting is on point. All the other supporting star cast were okay but no one leaves an impact throughout.