The first season of La Piovra was fairly restrained in sets and locations as if it was not known if the series would be renewed; therefore, it took place mostly indoors in utilitarian offices and modest homes, relying on a good script and plot.
Season two followed the plot but with better locations, showing lovely hilltop villas in Umbria, small Silician coastal towns, the occasional northern Italian cities, and several Swiss locations. Once again, the plot was engrossing and required the viewer to pay attention as Inspector Corrado followed the money trail to uncover a conspiracy of important people and corrupt officials in banking, government, the military and industry conspiring with the Mafia to control every aspect of Italian life. Corrado's quest has cost him his family and he is out for vengeance.
By the time we reach Season 3, which continues with the same characters left alive after the first two seasons, but with most of the loose ends of the first two seasons tied off, the series really kicks into gear with some very high production values. Money is obviously being spent by now. Almost all the first episode takes place in the large northern city of Milan with some superb street scenes, a car chase and a stand off at the railway terminal. there is also a train journey to Switzerland. As one who has never visited Italy and has impressions of a succession of small medieaval towns with Roman ruins basking in the sun, seeing a large modern city with a cold winter climate was very enlightening. Once again, the conspiracy deepens and spreads further and further beyond Italy. When you have a series on DVD and put on the first disc in the evening and don't stop until the cock crows next morning, you know you have hit a winner.
Season two followed the plot but with better locations, showing lovely hilltop villas in Umbria, small Silician coastal towns, the occasional northern Italian cities, and several Swiss locations. Once again, the plot was engrossing and required the viewer to pay attention as Inspector Corrado followed the money trail to uncover a conspiracy of important people and corrupt officials in banking, government, the military and industry conspiring with the Mafia to control every aspect of Italian life. Corrado's quest has cost him his family and he is out for vengeance.
By the time we reach Season 3, which continues with the same characters left alive after the first two seasons, but with most of the loose ends of the first two seasons tied off, the series really kicks into gear with some very high production values. Money is obviously being spent by now. Almost all the first episode takes place in the large northern city of Milan with some superb street scenes, a car chase and a stand off at the railway terminal. there is also a train journey to Switzerland. As one who has never visited Italy and has impressions of a succession of small medieaval towns with Roman ruins basking in the sun, seeing a large modern city with a cold winter climate was very enlightening. Once again, the conspiracy deepens and spreads further and further beyond Italy. When you have a series on DVD and put on the first disc in the evening and don't stop until the cock crows next morning, you know you have hit a winner.