Thou Shalt Not Kill (2015– ) User Reviews (26)

Thou Shalt Not Kill

[Tweekums · 8/10 · 3 November 2019]

These comments are based on watching the first season.

This Italian crime drama is set in the northern city of Turin and centred on Valeria Ferro. She is a detective investigating various 'murders of the week'. These tend to feature more personal motives rather than murders that take place as part of another crime.

As well as these murders there is an ongoing storyline regarding Valeria's mother. Early in the series she is released from prison having served seventeen years for the murder of Valeria's father. She has never denied the crime but her former cell mate claims she is really innocent. Valeria initially wants nothing to do with her mother but inevitably gets drawn into looking into the case. Things are somewhat complicated by the fact that her boss, who she is involved with, arrested her mother.

I really enjoyed this series; the cases of the week very much dominate the episodes but the ongoing story regarding her mother nicely serves to link the episodes and make key characters more interesting. The weekly cases are interesting and the identity of the killer isn't obvious. There are always plenty of suspects and motives to keep the viewer guessing.

Miriam Leone is solid in the role of Valeria and the supporting cast also impresses. I liked the setting; the only other Italian shows I've seen have been set further south, mostly way down in Sicily... this feels like different country. Overall I'd definitely recommend this to fans of subtitled crime drama... assuming you don't speak Italian! I hope we don't have to wait too long before season two becomes available here in the UK.

A slow burner in a very northern Italy

[paul2001sw-1 · 8/10 · 16 November 2019]

'Non Uccidere' is a rather solemn Italian detective series, set in a Turin that always feels cold, a drama that feels closer in style and substance to a Scandi-noir than to 'Inspector Montalbano'. It's well plotted, with a young-ish female detective at its centre who is stubborn but talented, quietly-spoken but unyielding to anyone. There's also a background story, not resolved even after 12 episodes, about her mother's involvement in a murder many years before. There are few moments of light relief here, or even action sequences, and it can seem slow - but I liked the fact that its heroine is neither a classical female sterotype nor an extreme opposite. I'd recommend watching it, but it might have been even better if its makers had had just a little more sense of urgency as they put it together.

crime drama and soap opera

[dromasca · 7/10 · 31 December 2018]

'Non uccidere' may be the first crime series coming from Italy that I have ever seen. It's quite an unexpected source for the genre, Italian cinema being quite famous for neo-realism, for comedies, for historical dramas or for the very personal and creative movies of great directors like Fellini. We do have of course the horror stories of Dario Argento, but these are a genre by themselves. Cerebral crime stories are not what I would have considered an Italian specialty, and that is why 'Non uccidere' created by Claudio Corbucci is quite a surprise for me, and a good one, I should say.

I have watched the 12 episodes in the first two seasons, broadcast by ARTE TV, which have been realized in 2015 and 2016. There is a third season that I am yet to see but I need to find a good opportunity and some time. The episodes come in pairs of 40-45 minutes each and I suspect that some stations may have transmitted longer episodes joining two series each time. There are two plans of parallel action - one is a procedural forensics crime drama which finds its solution at the end of the second episode in the pair, the other is a longer thread also comprising a criminal element and involving the main character, police captain Valeria Ferro and her mother, out of jail after serving time for killing Valeria's father. The stories take place in Torino and around the city. I've never been to this city, but I feel that I know it a little after having seen 'Non uccidere'.

There are a lot of reasons to like these series. The stories are well written and their solutions make sense. Most of the characters are credible and acting is good. The only minus if this can be called a minus is that the lead actress Miriam Leone looks too young and too beautiful for her role. The stories tend to take place in various social medias that the script authors and episode directors seem to know quite well - working people and immigrants living in the less fortunate areas of the city, or very rich people in their sumptuous villas. One of the most interesting couple of episodes takes place in a nuns convent. The makers of the series adapted well their cinematographic tools using elements of neo-realist cinema in some of the episodes, or approaching the stories as melodramas for riches in other. Overall this forensic crime drama with touches of soap opera works quite well.

Interesting enough to keep me binge watching

[con-fan · 8/10 · 5 December 2019]

Overall I really liked this crime series, having watched many others from the UK, Sweden, and France. Some of the stories are better than others, and the switch off to background drama between Valeria and her mother got a bit boring after awhile, for some reason. I think it is because the mother is so passive and calm that you can't imagine she was ever fired up enough to kill someone, and the switching around just interrupts the flow of the crime investigation. Valeria herself can get tiresome with her inability to ever relax or smile, and her refusal to take more realistic caution (such as having her partner with her to investigate someone dangerous in remote locations- really?) And why is she "sort of" with that much older guy, and living at home, when she could be with her obviously smitten partner or someone like him? But these are minor points of an intriguing series showing me interesting aspects of life in Turin, Italy (and do their grown children always live with their parents?) Looking forward to the second series being on PBS soon!

Extremely well done and well acted

[big_O_Other · 9/10 · 19 November 2018]

The lead actress is so clearly able to think that you can see her insights and perceptions developing right onscreen.

Really enjoyable

[jwmson-15891 · 9/10 · 3 April 2020]

While there are certain flaws, this series got me hooked. Part of the pleasure is the pacing, which is somewhat relaxed but for me adds to it. Walters pbs intro makes an offhand reference to the Montalbano series which he says non uccidere is superior to and from a certain perspective, this is true. There is virtually no levity here and there are many touching scenes.

A better than average detective series.

[larmo · 7/10 · 13 May 2021]

I really liked this series for the following reasons. 1) The acting is very good, and the child actors are not only adorable but they are also talented. 2) Each murder the detectives investigate is interesting, and involves a different part of society. There are murders were soldiers, monks, mixed martial arts fighters, and various other groups and professions are involved. 3) I was never able to figure out where an investigation would lead the detectives, and who was ultimately the guilty person. 4) While there is an ongoing subplot, it doesn't distract from the various investigations. 5) While I would have liked to see the last season of the series end a little differently. I was okay with the final episode. 6) This series that spans a good number of seasons, remains consistently good to the end. Many series don't sustain the original good quality of the first season. It is my impression that directors and writers leave series after the first or second season. This can be true of the original cast members also. That causes a change in a series, that is seldom good. I'm really pleased that this series had as many seasons as it did. I will miss it.

COMPELLING!

[manfromlamuncha · 10/10 · 8 January 2020]

From the opening credits gorgeous kaleidoscope music to Miriam Leone's Mona Lisa's beauty this is a fantastic Italian police drama which delves into many taboo subjects of personal and religious natures! The subtitles come fast but are easy to read! Give it a try! You'll be hooked!

My wife is mesmerized by this tv series.

[grahamncc · 10/10 · 16 November 2019]

When my wife started to watch THOU SHALT NOT KILL, she only thought there were 6 episode's. From the very first episode. my wife and I, became completely mesmerized. It is normally me who gets so involved with a tv show. Only this time, it is my wife. When she found out that there were infact 36 episode's, spread over 2 season's, she was very happy indeed.

I, have found each episode extremely interesting. Being a UK citizen, the type of murder mystery show's that i watch are, VERA, Midsomer Murders etc. THOU SHALT NOT KILL, is very similar to those type of murder mystery show's.

Watching tv show's from other european country's and also other country's around the world. Gives me a more understanding of other country's cutler's, fashion and indeed location's etc. Country's like Italy, are not that much different to the UK. Many year's ago, my family and I visited Italy for a holiday. I found Italy to be a wonderful, colourful country and would one day like to return.

I hope, whoever does watch THOU SHALT NOT KILL, enjoys it as much as my wife and I do.

Kind regards Graham

Miss Italy vs crime!

[manfromlamuncha · 10/10 · 19 May 2021]

Mesmerizing theme music plus hypnotic beauty of Miriam Leone make for a compelling crime series that is irresistible!

JUST what i was looking for.

[bonnymcd · 10/10 · 6 January 2021]

Incredible script, acting, photography, story lines!!! Ive been waiting for a series like this one. So intelligent and captivating. Super incredible lead actress and the supporting actors are quality personified

An entertaining Italian police procedural

[dorp-2 · 8/10 · 5 November 2021]

My wife and I watched all 4 seasons (48 episodes) and we both thoroughly enjoyed the series which is usual as we often don't like the same shows. It had interesting murder plots in most all episodes mixed with an ongoing family related mystery theme that weaved through all four seasons. The cast and acting was decent and the Turin area scenery was scenic and interesting. While there was a lot of in-office romantic nonsense among the key players, as well as questionable procedural practices at times, the cast and plots kept things moving for us both. My wife liked the romantic stuff more than me and I enjoyed the many attractive Italian women who appeared throughout. The final episode was a bit of a disappointment to us both and we wondered what the writers and producers were thinking with a series wrap like that. Two thumbs up anyway.

Italian nero with Sofie Grabol clone

[ikanboy · 7/10 · 2 December 2017]

We have a beautiful detective with no affect, who goes off the reservation frequently but always solves the crime in the last five minutes. Yep cookie cutter stuff. It is entertaining and the plots are well drawn out with interesting characters and it does match Denmark's "The Killing" in mood and complexity. The main character needs to be drawn out more, driven and severe can only last for so long. I suspect we are inching towards a gradual unveiling. The series could also be better at broadening the other members of the crime team, because it seems like a one trick pony crew.

Well-acted series, terrific storylines, but one problem:

[canuckteach · 9/10 · 19 June 2021]

The Casting Director only prefers thin attractive Italian actresses around 30, with shoulder-length brown har, angular figures, and a height of 5' 8" or better. I am into episode 3 / 4, in which the father of a wealthy banking family is found murdered. The detective investigating, Miriam, bears an uncanny resemblance to the young women in the family. These girls are all strong-willed, but messed up in one way or another. (Miriam herself is alienated from her mother, who was just released from prison, and her own family, who want to help mother get on with her life. Meantime, Miriam packs her bag & moves in with her boss, who arrested the mother for murder all those years ago). This certainly helps flesh out the characters somewhat, but when the scene switches to the aggrieved family, there are 2 (3? I'm not sure) females who are a ringer for the the cop! It might help if their hair colour was different (would it be too much to ask them to wear placards with a NAME in big letters?). Anyway, my wife is one step behind following the story & I can't tell her who is a suspect & who is the cop- halfway through the 2nd of a 2-parter! The show takes a dramatic turn when a 2nd family member passes away tragically, and Miriam's aggressiveness is alleged to be a factor.

You may have a better eye than I do, and if you like Euro crime investigation shows, this is a fine entry. Episode 1 and 2 concerned the death of a (as usual, very pretty) young girl from an offbeat family, and Miriam diligently digs for evidence to uncover the culprit. Performances are excellent all around, and the beauty of the Italian countryside is kind of another 'character' in the story. Don't recall much explicit display of 'amour', but the show is Italian: keep your hand on the FF button, as apparently, all female natives are 30, pretty, with athletic builds, cute pointy noses, shoulder-length hair, and eager to display affection (is that a stereotype? Sorry: I didn't produce the show myself. Just calling them as I see them!).

9/10.

There are better detective shows available

[Pegasus-10 · 4/10 · 21 November 2019]

Granted I have only watched 4 episodes (with two murders resolved), but won't continue. The Inspector makes some seriously defective decisions (not including sleeping with her boss) during the investigations. Some of the characters are endearing, but there seems to be an awful lot of people hitting each other (with no consequences.) Not up to the level of Shetland, Vera, Professor T, et al.

Great Itailan crime drama!

[rogermetro · 10/10 · 1 April 2022]

Refreshing with a crime drama with a different pace then the regular Hollywood drama we see all the time. Miriam Leone is outstanding as the inspector in charge with a brilliant mind. Some personal drama is weaved in to the story and makes it even better. We're half way to season four and already want more!

Badly produced series with poor acting and confusing story lines

[qui_j · 4/10 · 26 November 2017]

This series produced by RAI just does not make the grade. From the first episode it is clear to see that the actor playing the lead character, a female detective inspector, is unable to make the role very believable.Character development is slow and it does take some time to figure out who's who in many of the episodes. The plots are very confusing, and often leave the viewer trying to understand what the story was about, and who was the culprit. Many of the episodes leave one wondering about the efficacy of the Italian police force and their ability to solve crimes. In short, it's pure fiction! The mindlessness of it is good for those who just want a bit of escapism to pass the time. Just don't expect too much. It would appear that this is produced for the Italian domestic market but IMHO would have a hard time making it in the global market.

Plodding

[pwmoores-49444 · 5/10 · 18 February 2020]

This is an ok crime drama but it has no pace or tension. I also did not care about the characters. I give up on this after 4 episodes.

Mesmerizing

[wms-81274 · 9/10 · 27 April 2023]

What another great international show from Walter Presents. While it is a detective based series, the lead character is a wonderful actress and the supporting cast are equally talented. The series has a noir quality to it, as well as having great plots, unique storylines and awesome actors. Having completed the 4 seasons, the final season and episode left me wanting more!

While an Italian series, and spoken accordingly, the American closed captioning did not in any way diminish from the pace, emotion or drama of the series. (It was also a great way to learn a little more of the Italian language.) Highly recommend!

Compelling but at times preposterous crime drama

[herblison-740-436529 · 7/10 · 5 March 2021]

My wife and I have been watching this show with the PBS app. The acting and story lines are compelling. I do have a major quibble with the program regarding police procedures. The lead character Valeria, an inspector in the Turin police, frequently behaves in an extremely unprofessional manner. She often heads out to investigate a lead or a hunch without telling any of her colleagues what she is doing or where she is going. She often ignores basic forensic protocols.

Another gripe is that the vast majority of the people portrayed are miserably unhappy. Only Valeria's brother seems to have a good marriage. Every one else is cheating on their spouse or significant other, or abusing them in some way.

Nonetheless, the positives outweigh the negatives, as far as my wife and I are concerned. We also get to see a lot of the city of Turin which we hope to visit in person once the pandemic permits.

Think of it as a Graphic Novella

[ryant-897-719093 · 5/10 · 24 December 2020]

I've watched two seasons of this, since it just recently became available to me here in the USA via PBS on Roku. If better cops shows were out there that I have yet to see, I don't think I'd have continued with this but the pickings is slim these days in my world. If you can imagine this series as a comic book or graphic novel you'll get the best idea of the plot lines and development. I'm no genius but there were several episodes I'd figured out within the first 20 minutes or so, then had to sit through for the next 100 minutes for it to all play out. Pretty much everybody with a major part in this series is simply fantastic looking so there was part of me just waiting for the obligatory sex scenes, albeit such were quite few in number. And maybe it really is that way in Italy, but it's impossible to imagine the svelte young detective (Valeria) having it on with her middle-aged boss in his unlocked office, or openly kissing him in the police station hallway, cuddling in the parking lot, and all the other obvious shows of affection that are in this series. Clearly this drama was thought up before the "Me Too" movement, or they just don't care about that sort of thing in Italy. Valeria conducts herself at work and in the field somewhat like a savant yet lackadaisical teenager, always dressed in jeans and a baggy top while her coworkers have dresses, uniforms, jackets, and ties. Man, she must really be a great detective to get away with that! It is therefore a mystery how she is so duped by, yet enamored with, her pig-headed boss. Or why (especially in season 1) she treats her honorable, competent and devoted main partner (Andrea) like a staff gopher. The poor guy barely has 10 lines per episode. I'd imagine that in the real world...even the Italian real world...her co-workers would hate her guts for all the, ahem, "stuff" she gets away with simply by sleeping with the boss. Speaking of sleeping around, I think every episode of season 2 involves infidelity, scoring, players, and cheating in some major way (what is the divorce rate in that country, anyway? It must be astronomical.). The directing and continuity in this series could use some work, too. Plots can be hard to follow as sometimes a critical piece of information is just blurted out in the middle of what otherwise seems to be just a short filler scene. That "what's my secret?" subplot of Valeria's mother gets really tiresome after awhile, too. Just tell us, and move on to some new deep dark secret with another character. Please.

Technically the show seriously lacks at times. Lots of extreme close ups for no apparent reason. Procedural errors, like the detectives walking around the fresh crime scene unencumbered by Tyvek suits, booties, and even gloves in one instance. The scene where the guy had supposedly shot himself in the head with a shotgun was laughable for any serious crime drama viewer (I won't get graphic here; neither did they). Basically, if you like the English village kind of cop shows where a little old lady sleuths through watercolor crime scenes devoid of too much reality you'll probably like this series.

4 seasons available through PBS Masterpiece on Amazon

[regolden · 7/10 · 2 July 2020]

Watched all the seasons although IMDb shows 24 episodes in season 2 it's actually 4 total. Then ending is not great as it just stops and leaves you to assume. Most stories are good but as others complained not easy to follow. Not as good as Vera or a host of other police dramas but worth watching.

Tiresome

[garzamom · 6/10 · 17 December 2023]

An otherwise attractive woman who manages to look like dog poop on a daily basis, navigates her way through murder investigations, dragging a duffle bag full of hate and rage that colors everything she does.

It might have been a good series aside from her bottomless self pity.

The rest of the cast and the writing was pretty good, I would be enjoying watching, but I wanted to shut it off everytime she went off on her personal pity party.

I can't imagine a scenario where everyone from other cops to her family put up with her. Surely, someone thought she needed a good kick in the pants. Just really hard to watch.

Disappointing production

[ask-18705 · 3/10 · 23 August 2020]

After watching only 2/3 of the first season, i felt like giving up. Many serious flaws in storylines, plots, characters and direction throughout the episodes. I wanted to enjoy another Italian crime series, having fallen for Montalbano (young and old!) big time. But this seems to be created by kids with innocent and naive mind of pre-teens.

Interesting story lines but unrealistic police procedures

[zontagirl1 · 6/10 · 30 September 2021]

I have enjoyed the series although there are serious flaws in how investigations are conducted. The lead detective never puts 'booties' on when entering a crime scene, occasionally wears gloves, runs cases like the Lone Ranger with a smattering of 'help' from her colleagues. We won't even talk about the inappropriate relationship with her boss and their public displays of affection - just unbelievable! And let's not forget, it is a terrible portrayal of Italian men who all seem to be cheating scum bags with over protective mothers (even of adult businessmen) and an indication that the police/judiciary want crimes wrapped up quickly, especially when people of power are involved. Saying all this, there is something compelling about the stories and the acting is acceptable.