Il Commissario Ricciardi

I'm so captivated by this series. The character of Inspector Ricciardi, a baron who has turned his back on his title and estate to work as a cop, is marvelously embodied by Lino Guanciale. A haunted, sensitive, and tormented man, Ricciardi has convinced himself he can never marry or have children who might inherit his frightening second sight. Thus his front-view window relationship with his lovely neighbor across the street is more agonizing than delicious when she lets him know that she reciprocates his feelings. The romantic-sexual frustration extends over the two seasons. The setting of the show in 1930s Naples shows another side of Ricciardi. His best friend, the police pathologist, is an outspoken detester of the Fascists. He constantly skirts arrest by the brown shirts and Ricciardi is suspected by association. There are a host of regular characters, wonderfully acted, and a richly detailed setting, all of which make the series a worthy heir of the Italian neo-realist film tradition. Although the romance of the two neighbors finally becomes official at the end of season 2, there are many reasons to fear the way ahead may be thorny, so a season 3 is warranted. To Amazon Prime and the producers: please don't drop this masterpiece of a series. Let us continue to follow Ricciardi in his passions and torments.