When there is an outbreak of a deadly version of the 'flu in the Belgian city of Antwerp the government rapidly sets up a cordon sanitaire around the affected area of the city. The hundreds of people inside are initially told they will be allowed out in a couple of days but it soon becomes apparent that they will be there for a long time. Those inside include a cross section of society all desperately trying to avoid catching the disease. Some try to help others, some just look out for themselves and others use it as an opportunity to profiteer. The outbreak is centred on the National Institute of Infectious Diseases; initially it is believed that it started by a recently arrived illegal immigrant who went to the centre. While those in the sealed off area struggle to survive the government desperately tries to control the news, even going as far as cutting off communications between those inside and those outside. One of those responsible for preventing people escaping is a police officer whose girlfriend is inside and as he does his job he comes to realise that the government covering up the truth about the outbreak.
This Belgian drama managed to be gripping from start to finish. The large cast of characters are nicely introduced and it is far from obvious who will live and who will die even if the final episode characters who one would bet of surviving contract the illness. This cast does a fine job portraying the wide variety of characters as their situation deteriorates from living in a modern western city to something akin to the 'Lord of the Flies' as fear spreads and people turn on each other. Being set over ten episodes there is plenty of time for us to grow to care about various characters making it hit harder when they die. The conspiracy theory element of the story is handled well and isn't too extreme. While this fairly grim there are a small number of mildly amusing details; most notably provided to the slobbish reporter whose website tells the public details the authorities want kept secret. Overall I'd certainly recommend this to anybody looking for a gritty drama that isn't primarily about crime.
These comments are based on watching the series in Flemish with English subtitles.
This Belgian drama managed to be gripping from start to finish. The large cast of characters are nicely introduced and it is far from obvious who will live and who will die even if the final episode characters who one would bet of surviving contract the illness. This cast does a fine job portraying the wide variety of characters as their situation deteriorates from living in a modern western city to something akin to the 'Lord of the Flies' as fear spreads and people turn on each other. Being set over ten episodes there is plenty of time for us to grow to care about various characters making it hit harder when they die. The conspiracy theory element of the story is handled well and isn't too extreme. While this fairly grim there are a small number of mildly amusing details; most notably provided to the slobbish reporter whose website tells the public details the authorities want kept secret. Overall I'd certainly recommend this to anybody looking for a gritty drama that isn't primarily about crime.
These comments are based on watching the series in Flemish with English subtitles.