The arid space of teenage shows on the Romanian television needed a series like Pariu cu Viata, however after more than a season I disappointedly draw the conclusion that we lack experience in creating TV series a little more complex than your average soap-opera.
First of all I noticed the fact that the plot isn't accompanied by episode specific subplots, but it's in fact a pretty linear story. The writers don't plant a seed to pick it up later on, but instead throw unexpected and sometimes uncalled for twists out of nowhere. One minute Sara is OK, the next we find out she might be schizophrenic, then, out of the blue, she's not anymore.
The second negative mark I give it is about the pessimistic nature of the plot. The story is supposed to follow this band of high school teenagers through good or bad, but it seems they only go through bad. Schizophrenia, teen pregnancy, inappropriate teacher-student relationships, loan sharks and underworld king pins and even suicide are among the themes promoted by the show as normal teenage behaviour.
A final minus is drawn from the artistic side of the program. In between deaths and sorrow they break into singing and dancing, with lyrics either in Romanian or English with subtitles. As I understand, the protagonists aren't exactly actors as they have been cast by the voice talent rather than acting, that I can excuse, but the fact that the music is overly mastered studio recorded in complete contrast with the dialogs is unforgivable. This shows non professionalism both from the technical / sound team and the artists.
On a plus side, and honestly, this is the sole reason why I refrained from giving the lowest mark, there's Gica, the character played by Gabriel Radu, a typically Romanian, half witted, ill mannered, straight forward, dreadful family guy who raises the bar and single handedly accounts for 99% of the show's humour and spontaneity.
To sum it all up, I appreciate the initiative, but as poorly executed as it was, it really makes no difference for the Romanian television environment. I wouldn't recommend this series to any teenager fearing the wide range of negative feelings, thoughts and ideas they might get.
First of all I noticed the fact that the plot isn't accompanied by episode specific subplots, but it's in fact a pretty linear story. The writers don't plant a seed to pick it up later on, but instead throw unexpected and sometimes uncalled for twists out of nowhere. One minute Sara is OK, the next we find out she might be schizophrenic, then, out of the blue, she's not anymore.
The second negative mark I give it is about the pessimistic nature of the plot. The story is supposed to follow this band of high school teenagers through good or bad, but it seems they only go through bad. Schizophrenia, teen pregnancy, inappropriate teacher-student relationships, loan sharks and underworld king pins and even suicide are among the themes promoted by the show as normal teenage behaviour.
A final minus is drawn from the artistic side of the program. In between deaths and sorrow they break into singing and dancing, with lyrics either in Romanian or English with subtitles. As I understand, the protagonists aren't exactly actors as they have been cast by the voice talent rather than acting, that I can excuse, but the fact that the music is overly mastered studio recorded in complete contrast with the dialogs is unforgivable. This shows non professionalism both from the technical / sound team and the artists.
On a plus side, and honestly, this is the sole reason why I refrained from giving the lowest mark, there's Gica, the character played by Gabriel Radu, a typically Romanian, half witted, ill mannered, straight forward, dreadful family guy who raises the bar and single handedly accounts for 99% of the show's humour and spontaneity.
To sum it all up, I appreciate the initiative, but as poorly executed as it was, it really makes no difference for the Romanian television environment. I wouldn't recommend this series to any teenager fearing the wide range of negative feelings, thoughts and ideas they might get.
