No no no no no! That can't be the end! Season four please! This is devastating! It cannot end like this. People who don't like the character Balthazar-- why were you watching it then? He is the show. He's sensitive, generous, brilliant, muscled like a wild animal, so much fun, so full of life... I'm going to go have a cry now!
44 Reviews
really like this show- season 2 some problems
braquecubism20 December 2019
Balthazar is tall, athletic, really fit- I mean a real 6 pack- slim and compact muscles. Ruggedly Handsome, in that Alpha Male way; not cookie cutter. Reminds me of young Jean-Paul Belmondo , which is the best. Not a baby boy. Yes, I am very taken with him. The woman Chief Inspector, good at her job, works well with B., is married, some sexual tension.
Balthazar is a Paris Coroner and is out in the field with Police Detectives investing crimes, confronting criminals. The French have their own way of doing things- but I doubt this is realistic. when there is a crime investigation a Judge Magistrate is assigned to run the case; including evaluating evidence. It is rather efficient because the case is set up for prosecution, and all Court Orders originate from the supervising Judge. He doesn't take it to court- and is neutral like a Judge. Occasionally, more in S#2 the Captain is speaking to M. Prosecuteur, informing or getting permission, like warrant to search Magistrates from what I see in other French Police, like Spirals, are much more hands on.
The other thing is, that Balthazar's wife was murdered, 12 years earlier- not a spoiler, and the killer is never found. He talks to the dead (he knows, it's a conscious dialogue) . Is obsessed with his wife, and finding her killer- O.K. but they spend too much screen time on this; the 2 of them chatting, yes, it's him talking to himself, so it says what he is thinking, but still. He knows it's he who is creating her. it get's tiresome. We know, we get it. This is a drama after all. BTW- B. is very lively and has many girlfriends. season 2- I think they went off the rails the last 4 episode (10 in all); He is speaking more to dead victims, yes he knows it's his imagination, at first. I won't say, but I don't like it. A cliff hanger-
There is a season 3- Sometimes they do stupid things, which ruins the reality. small- it's action in a scene. B. grabs a crowbar to open a car trunk (a victim might be in it) the front driver's side door is open; this car is one that the lift up back is not separate from the back seat Hello, there is an open trunk switch. I don't like their choice of music most of the time, and often it's too loud. not always.
Balthazar is a Paris Coroner and is out in the field with Police Detectives investing crimes, confronting criminals. The French have their own way of doing things- but I doubt this is realistic. when there is a crime investigation a Judge Magistrate is assigned to run the case; including evaluating evidence. It is rather efficient because the case is set up for prosecution, and all Court Orders originate from the supervising Judge. He doesn't take it to court- and is neutral like a Judge. Occasionally, more in S#2 the Captain is speaking to M. Prosecuteur, informing or getting permission, like warrant to search Magistrates from what I see in other French Police, like Spirals, are much more hands on.
The other thing is, that Balthazar's wife was murdered, 12 years earlier- not a spoiler, and the killer is never found. He talks to the dead (he knows, it's a conscious dialogue) . Is obsessed with his wife, and finding her killer- O.K. but they spend too much screen time on this; the 2 of them chatting, yes, it's him talking to himself, so it says what he is thinking, but still. He knows it's he who is creating her. it get's tiresome. We know, we get it. This is a drama after all. BTW- B. is very lively and has many girlfriends. season 2- I think they went off the rails the last 4 episode (10 in all); He is speaking more to dead victims, yes he knows it's his imagination, at first. I won't say, but I don't like it. A cliff hanger-
There is a season 3- Sometimes they do stupid things, which ruins the reality. small- it's action in a scene. B. grabs a crowbar to open a car trunk (a victim might be in it) the front driver's side door is open; this car is one that the lift up back is not separate from the back seat Hello, there is an open trunk switch. I don't like their choice of music most of the time, and often it's too loud. not always.
Season 3 WHY?
kakotolio12 January 2021
Great series.Good cases.This serie focus not only on the cases but in the personal life of the characters.That was intresting in the fisrt season.It keeps you in the second season mostly because cause the flirt of baltha and helene but the 3 season is a joke.This season is a mess.Seems like they had preassure to write new episodes or they care about something else.Baltha personal(erotic) life is a joke the cases have not the same interest and our big case that last 3 seasons finaly has no intrerest at all...So season1 its 9 season2 its 9+ and season3 is 6.At this point i don't understand why i have to watch season4... Too bad it start so well...
Best Mystery Show in U S even if subtitles
BobDog71681 December 2019
Our whole family of mystery buffs voted the French production Balthazar to have the finest quality writing, production values, acting, and each mystery construction, to be the finest on American TV even though we need to use subtitles. We are glued to the episodes for the full hour (approx) it is on. Clever, intelligent, no police woman needing to prove herself, no plots that anybody can figure out in their sleep, and a Holmes-Like doctor who doesn't play stupid or obvious. The surprise twists within each episode are smooth and so superior to the U.S.detective / forensic adventure shows on our networks, we can't wait for more episodes to appear on the Acorn Service.
Waiting for Season Four!
bob-091512 March 2021
Sub titles have never bothered me so there was nothing stopping me from pursuing this series to its' current, and hopefully, temporary conclusion.
The main character is witty, intelligent, charming and at times can be a bit jarring but his relationships with others are unique, complex, intriguing and charming. His evolution from being a victim from his wife's murder to his supposed liberation is a challenging if not a painful one.
The supporting cast is also quite special. Captain Bach, the police detective who tries her best to be professional and serious is no match for Balthazars charm and wit. His forensic assistants are entertaining with their love/hate relationship and the popping in and out of his dead wife is an endearing and sometimes pleasant appearance.
I hope that a fourth and even a fifth season are added.
Waiting for Season 2
tooketruman9 December 2019
Great Mystery Show
trevgee23 May 2020
We watched both series on Acorn TV and its probably the best show we have watched over the lockdown. At first it was hard to watch the forensic and mortuary scenes, but the clever, quick paced stories, Balthazar's character, and the french themes, lifestyles and scenery grew on us. (We love France, Paris, etc so that helps too). There certainly were a few bizarre murders and some weaker moments, but in the end I would say it's a favorite of ours and we can't wait for Season 3.
Really good
tgscannell-3282824 September 2020
Season 2 - Look At Me!
westsideschl9 March 2021
Very unrealistic & fake observational & deductive conclusions. Very verbatim reciting of script. Seems to be a pattern recently in new series trying to outdo Sherlock. Half of the time is spent on self promoting narcissism based on physical looks & subsequent romantic trysts. Also bizarre hallucinations of the dead talking to him. Huh!
Murders are by the usual least expected.
Murders are by the usual least expected.
Can't Wait For Season Two
untilnow9915 March 2020
Warning: Spoilers
A lot of the foreign-made series I've found on Amazon Prime/Acorn TV seem somewhat stilted and downright boring. Subtitles don't bother me. Poor filming, outdated production values, the constant whining of violin music and such are what drive me nuts. I have started so many French, Italian, other European series-----crime/drama/romance------only to give up after the first 20 minutes of viewing. There are too many good series out there to waste time on the second rate ones.
Admittedly, having had several bad experiences of late, when trying to find something worth watching, I was a bit leery about starting up with "Balthazar." Would this turn out to be another one of those silly, unwatchable tritely dialogued cop dramas?
Well, guess what? I LOVE IT. Kind of reminds me of "Harrow" (Ioan Gruffudd). A lot of similarities. Practically clones. I love Harrow. With Balthazar, I Binge-watched the first season and cannot wait to see what Season 2 brings.
The plot lines, the mystery, the ingenious way things are solved (terrific writing!), the cast, the characters, the cinematography------it just sucks you in right from the very beginning. One of my favorite characters is Balthazar's dead wife. What a beauty. I can't stop staring at her; she's like a being from another planet, she's so perfectly gorgeous.
I guess that comes under the heading of Spoiler Alert. Maybe. "Lise." Sigh. She really does it for me. I can't wait for Balthazar to wreak revenge on the guy who killed her.
Admittedly, having had several bad experiences of late, when trying to find something worth watching, I was a bit leery about starting up with "Balthazar." Would this turn out to be another one of those silly, unwatchable tritely dialogued cop dramas?
Well, guess what? I LOVE IT. Kind of reminds me of "Harrow" (Ioan Gruffudd). A lot of similarities. Practically clones. I love Harrow. With Balthazar, I Binge-watched the first season and cannot wait to see what Season 2 brings.
The plot lines, the mystery, the ingenious way things are solved (terrific writing!), the cast, the characters, the cinematography------it just sucks you in right from the very beginning. One of my favorite characters is Balthazar's dead wife. What a beauty. I can't stop staring at her; she's like a being from another planet, she's so perfectly gorgeous.
I guess that comes under the heading of Spoiler Alert. Maybe. "Lise." Sigh. She really does it for me. I can't wait for Balthazar to wreak revenge on the guy who killed her.
Not Believable
westsideschl7 September 2021
It would be nice if writers could actually present forensics as intelligent without having to rely on the usual hooks such as a not legal romance with a detective tainting his independent evidentiary role. Usual added hooks of bizarre behavior, and/or personal issues.
The open chest prosthetic with the spewing of a list of medical terms like an auctioneer - all very fake. Joins Bäckström, Brokenwood, The Night, Professor T, The Alienist, Shakespeare & Hathaway all with poor, improbable forensics. More believable forensics to be found in Wisting, Bloodlands, Halifax: Retribution, Spiral season 7, and Traces.
I gave season 1 a 2 rating; season 2 a 1 rating, and this season a 3 rating because the ending (although very improbable) has hopefully brought it all to a close.
The open chest prosthetic with the spewing of a list of medical terms like an auctioneer - all very fake. Joins Bäckström, Brokenwood, The Night, Professor T, The Alienist, Shakespeare & Hathaway all with poor, improbable forensics. More believable forensics to be found in Wisting, Bloodlands, Halifax: Retribution, Spiral season 7, and Traces.
I gave season 1 a 2 rating; season 2 a 1 rating, and this season a 3 rating because the ending (although very improbable) has hopefully brought it all to a close.
Great French thriller
systersister15 March 2021
Doctor Balthazar is quite a self-absorbed man, but not without charm. His companion Capitain Bach is sexy and lovely and smart woman. Often they have problem working together. And the best thing about this series is that they dont fall in love with each other. Not yet. It can be a bit sentimental even in the medical examiners room among the dead corpses, but the writers and the directing never let it be too long. The backstory with Balthazars dead wife and him talking to her is flawless, and that actress is rally good.
Predictable & Dumb
westsideschl24 September 2020
Positive: Extra star for repeated scenes sticking a metal thermometer tube probe though a corpse's ear into brain to measure temperature & therefore approximate time of death.
Negatives: The use of prosthetics was the main drama event, and they were so cheaply made it bordered on laughable, e.g. neck slash prosthetic looked fake & obviously placed over neck. The other three hooks were our pathologist's supposed joking behavior at murder scenes; his not very believable pulling crime scene details out of nowhere, and his imaginary talking to the dead which came across as bizarre. Very predictable plot of least expected (usually seen early on) is the guilty one. Quick, cheap confessional denouement at the end. Oh, and his egocentric driven desire to talk about & show off his body.
Balthazar, Season 4: "The Fugitive"; disappointed and dismayed
mjmhab26 April 2022
Warning: Spoilers
I was waiting with great anticipation for Season 4 of Balthazar. I hated it. It turns out he is being set up to take the blame for multiple murders in his home area as well as his psychiatrist, and everybody who knows him is all to ready to believe he's guilty. It seems he had an evil older brother (violent, etc.) who he didn't remember and who had tried to kill him when he was a very young child. The parents didn't know what to do, but never told him about this situation and that the brother had run away. Balthazar does remember him, but as an imaginary playmate (now living 2 miles from the parents) and possibly mixed up w/ the evil Maya (his imprisoned wife) to set him up. Balthazar is imprisoned, but escapes and is trying to find the evil brother (w/o any help) and clear his name. The last scene in the final episode of season 4 has Balthazar as possibly a drag queen. End of season 4. The multiple episodes were confused with multiple characters not acting as they had in the previous seasons and the introduction of new and for the most part unlikeable characters. Some of the episodes were silly. Did the team of writers change?
The continuity was not there.
The continuity was not there.
Just a great show .. every episode .....
PeterHerrmann16 February 2021
joie de vivre
A_Different_Drummer8 September 2020
Warning: Spoilers
**Update June '21 ** Even the most diehard fans of this series are still shaking their heads about the bizarre plot twists in S03. A season which took a genuinely hi-end police procedural and made a sharp right turn onto a path that only Stephen King would cherish. New viewers are advised to SKIP SEASON 3. At the time of this update it is unclear if there will be a S04, mainly because the main character was murdered at the end of S03 and the co-star quit. Still, the writers of this series clearly consider themselves not to be bound by the conventional rules of scripting. So, anything is possible...?
Original review:
In an age of forced diversity when being different is almost a crime, this show pops. Tomer Sisley brings to mind (for those of a certain age) the "Kojac" vibe, where the detective is even more interesting than the crime. Great production values, a great watch.
Original review:
In an age of forced diversity when being different is almost a crime, this show pops. Tomer Sisley brings to mind (for those of a certain age) the "Kojac" vibe, where the detective is even more interesting than the crime. Great production values, a great watch.
IMO, Great show but Balthazar is an insufferable ass
bama111130 June 2020
I loved everything about this series but the main character. Balthazar (Tomer Sisley) is great at the technical aspects of his work but his oversized ego is a bit TOO much for me. I mean asking your partner to compliment your work and sharing your fountain of useless (to the average person) knowledge instead of just saying what needs to be said. Yeah, the guy has some serious emotional problems but his partner, Police Inspector Hélène Bach (Hélène de Fougerolles) has personal problems of her own but she doesn't need to draw attention to herself by showing off a new pair of shoes or driving an airboat to a crime scene.
The stories are interesting and timely and the conversations with the dead in the morgue offer insight and backstory into both the crimes and Balthazar himself. Of course, Balthazar's ego won't allow him to listen to the advice he's receiving regarding his own personal relationship with the smart and funny Lise (Pauline Cheviller).
I'm not sure if there will be a series 3 so I may never know if my understanding of the ending of Episode 16 is saying what I think it is.
Great series but...
jacklbrad21 May 2021
Forensic Sleuthing French style
s327616929 July 2020
"Balthazar" is instantly likeable and engaging because it takes serious, sometimes depressing material and treats it in a down to earth, humanistic manner.
This is embodied in the lager than life figure of Raphaël Balthazar (Tomer Sisley) a charming, eccentric, lead forensic pathologist with a broken heart. A man who has a murder mystery of his own to solve, in addition to those that come up each episode.
Its an intelligently written, well acted series, with a real depth of characterisation that I don't see often. These are real people who use humour to lighten the grim work they face, who have character quirks, flaws and not always perfect relationships.
Definitely one to watch if you like "quality" European crime drama.
Note: season two is not as good as season one and regrettably there's a dash of woke nonsense I personally could have done without.
7/10.
This is embodied in the lager than life figure of Raphaël Balthazar (Tomer Sisley) a charming, eccentric, lead forensic pathologist with a broken heart. A man who has a murder mystery of his own to solve, in addition to those that come up each episode.
Its an intelligently written, well acted series, with a real depth of characterisation that I don't see often. These are real people who use humour to lighten the grim work they face, who have character quirks, flaws and not always perfect relationships.
Definitely one to watch if you like "quality" European crime drama.
Note: season two is not as good as season one and regrettably there's a dash of woke nonsense I personally could have done without.
7/10.
"Forever" made in France
alex_merlin_19853 February 2021
Quelle domage
stephaniecoxon8 March 2024
Warning: Spoilers
I was completely hooked on the first 4 series - binge watched - But when Helene left 👎 and without all that sexual tension, it wasn't worth the time. Just another forensic crime drama - great twisting plots, good acting, believable characters - both villains and heroes, but nothing to distinguish it. Yes, Balthazar is insufferably arrogant but Helene compensated for that. The last episode of Series 3 was a bit far fetched, but nothing like the disappointment discovering that she'd been replaced. Balthazar's two assistants were also funny to watch and follow their development. I'll miss it. 😢 iiii.
Dynamic charisma
sitaluna31 March 2021
Season 4
avav-7667418 August 2022
Horrible! Where was the funny, energetic Balthazar? Here we have a loser, crybaby.character. What a disappointment!!! Why didn't you continue with smiling, adventurous Balthazar. If you don't have more ideas you must.stop, you cannot.overturn a winning series...
Huh?
vryum26 February 2021
Warning: Spoilers
Various reviews with various season favorites.
I am watching Episode 7 of Season 3.
I have enjoyed this series: it is not Spiral or French Village, or even Call My Agent, but I like it.
Until whatever is going on in Season 3. Started out okay: but WHY would you divert from chemistry that works (Balthazar and Bach) to no chemistry: Maya?
The whole seriies is contrived: that's okay, i think it is fun and interesting.
But there isn't an ounce of passion between those two.
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