McMafia (TV Series) Episode #1.8 (2018) User Reviews

S1 Review

[r96sk · 13 October 2020]

Great TV!

It took me about an episode and a half to fully get into it I admit, but from then on I was locked in constantly. S1 of 'McMafia' is outstanding! Riveting plot alongside some terrific acting, particularly from James Norton (Alex) and Merab Ninidze (Vadim). The locations are stunning, I love the worldwide feel to the show - I know that sounds obvious given the premise, but they truly make it feel global which is important.

Of course it isn't perfect, but it's very close to being so. Can't wait for season two!

Nothing spectacular

[joebloggscity · 6/10 · 13 February 2018]

You knew that this was going to be a low budget gangster series. Follows the now well worn rise of the reluctant gangster in the Godfather line, but this seems to ape others like Boardwalk Empire more so than that.

Anyhow this series goes between different centres of gangster influence centring on London, with the Russian mafia controlling the routes across the globe. Nothing seems to escape them it seems.

Alex is the London boy of Russian boys who has kept away but then finds himself locked in and the spiral downwards begins. He's not fit for that world, but it seems that he either plays along or he is finished.

A rich spoilt family and partner which he tries to protect is the jist of his reasoning, but maybe he likes the power and adventure he experiences. He finds himself out of his depth, but as it's TV, he comes out on to whilst others end up 6ft under.

The budget has been spent on teams flying over the globe, but not on good camera work, enjoyable action or acting. Most of the ensemble seem to paint by numbers here, and our lead is very wooden. His partner is woeful and she really should have been long cut, as a moral foil the actress was hopeless, and made her poor dialogue worse. Hopefully won't be back for the second series.

It's a mixed bag, and is fine as TV work. It's not one that will be long recalled. Enjoyable TV fodder and a bit above average there, but it's far from a classic and against other fare in the genre (Sopranos, Gomorrah, Boardwalk Empire etc) this isn't even worth comparing as it's so far behind.

Worth a viewing, but once is enough.

Episode 1.8

[Prismark10 · 5/10 · 11 March 2018]

Francis Coppola once said: 'Steal from the best.'

The writer of the final episode has been heavily inspired by The Godfather. Alex in effect becomes Michael Corleone. The wide eyed innocent, drawn to an evil world and gets his hands dirty.

Vadim Kalyagin's daughter has died due to a botched hit initiated by Alex's father. Alex who is flying into Moscow is unaware of the dangers he is in and is being pursued by Kalyagin's men. However Kalyagin's empire is about to implode, he seems to be losing government protection, other rivals are circling leaving him in a weakened state.

At eight episodes McMafia was too long. No amount of globetrotting could mask its pacing issues.