Rocco Schiavone: The Detective Who Can’t Catch a Break (or a Cold)
Setting: A snowy Aosta Valley in Italy, where the weather is colder than Rocco’s demeanor.
Characters:
- Rocco Schiavone: A hard-nosed detective with a penchant for sarcasm and a serious disdain for authority.
- Italians: They all seem to have a side gig as amateur therapists for Rocco’s existential crises.
- Rocco’s Dead Friend: The ghost of his past that haunts him more than his actual cases.
Plot Summary:
Welcome to the world of Rocco Schiavone, where crime is as common as a bad coffee and the only thing colder than the weather is Rocco’s heart. Our protagonist, a detective who has been exiled to the Alps for some vague misdeeds in Rome, spends his days solving murders and his nights grumbling about his misfortune.
In the first season, we dive into Rocco’s life as he navigates the complexities of murder mysteries while also dealing with the absurdities of small-town life. Spoiler alert: the first episode kicks off with a body found in the snow. It’s not just any body; it’s a guy with a penchant for trouble—Rocco’s favorite type of victim! Here’s a tip: if you’re a shady character in this series, you might want to invest in a good coat because you’re not making it to the end credits.
As Rocco investigates, he’s constantly battling the local police, who are about as helpful as a screen door on a submarine. His boss, who seems to have a personal vendetta against him, doesn’t make it easy. It’s like watching a cat and dog fight, but the cat has a badge, and the dog is just trying to figure out where it all went wrong.
Throughout the season, Rocco’s backstory unfolds like a poorly wrapped gift. We learn about his best friend, who met a tragic end (and spoiler alert, it’s not a surprise twist, just a sad reality). This friend’s demise is the emotional crutch Rocco leans on throughout the series, leading to some very touching, albeit frustrating, moments where he reflects on life, love, and why he can’t seem to keep a partner or a decent meal in his fridge.
As the series progresses, we witness Rocco’s interactions with the townsfolk, who are either terrified of him or absolutely enamored. It’s like he’s the town’s grumpy uncle who everyone loves but also knows to keep at arm’s length. His dry humor is a hit, especially when he’s delivering one-liners about the incompetence of his peers. Who knew that solving a murder could be so entertaining? Oh wait, it’s Rocco Schiavone; of course, it’s entertaining!
Conclusion:
By the end of the season, Rocco has solved several murders, dodged countless awkward moments, and still managed to avoid any real emotional growth. He remains the same grumpy detective, but now with a few more dead bodies under his belt and a deeper disdain for the bureaucratic nonsense he faces daily. It’s a delightful ride filled with twists, turns, and enough sarcasm to fill a novel.
So, if you’re looking for a show where the detective is as cold as the mountains he’s stuck in and the plot twists are as dense as the snow, Rocco Schiavone is your jam. Just don’t expect any warm hugs or heartfelt resolutions; those are in short supply in Rocco’s world!