Unit 42 (2017–2019) User Reviews

Strong Series from Belgium

[AJ_McAninch · 8/10 · 29 June 2019]

The ratings here are too low, I'm guessing because a lot of people don't like subtitles and want dubbing. But this is a fine series, well written, produced, and acted-and serious viewers want to hear the language and the actors' voices. My reservation is that in crime procedurals the victims are so often women, and they never seem to have a security system, dog, or at least mace. It's just maddening. And why are pictures of naked women on the walls where they eat. I get that they're special ops in a basement, but come on. But, despite rather stupid production gaffes, this is a good show with a lot of strengths and surprising moments of tenderness.

Recommended.

Great series. Please.... SEASON 2

[dickbootmediadesign · 8/10 · 9 July 2019]

Really enjoyed this show. Characters are fun to watch, stories are good, and the additional stories are intriguing. Please make more seasons as there is a LOT of potential in this.

Fighting crime with cyber elements in Belgium

[Tweekums · 8/10 · 28 May 2021]

This Belgian series is set in Brussels and each episode involves investigations into various crimes where computers are involved in some way. Our main protagonists are Inspector Sam Leroy, a widower with three children, who has recently transferred to the unit and Billie Vebber, a young former hacker who now works as a police officer. Most cases involve murders where Billie's skills are required, sometimes involving bending of the rules.

I really enjoyed this series; unlike most series these days the main plot in each episode is resolved within that episode. It still makes sense to watch every episode in the correct order as there is some character development which takes place over the course of the series. Some events may disturb some viewers; most obviously a case where child abusers are targeted and we learn some details, obviously not too many, about what happened to one child. The cast, both regulars and guests, do a solid job bringing their characters to life. While some of the computer elements are not too believable they are certainly better than many programmes and films which deal with the subject. Overall I'd certainly recommend this to fans of crime dramas. Hopefully we won't have to wait too long for Netflix to get the second season.

These comments are based on watching the series in French with English subtitles.

Well written and directed, thrilling and dramatic.

[gapcarey · 10 July 2019]

I enjoyed this Belgian crime series right from the first epidsode. It is very well made, and includes good actors and a compelling plot line. Unlike others, I see nothing American about this show. Whilst the IT scenes are a bit far-fetched they never detract from the drama. Given what is on TV at the moment, this series is compelling viewing.

Good, but ...

[grizzlydblair · 7/10 · 2 July 2019]

I am on the third episode, and I feel I should be enjoying this more than I am. It has so much going for it. Patrick Ridremont was terrific in En Immersion and La Foret and is good again here; and sometimes it is welcome to have an anthology series, which I sometimes like to watch after watching 8 or 10 episode serials with a demanding, continuous story arc. It has good, edgy storylines; it has well-written dialogue (I have enough French to be able to understand a lot of it in the original with subtitles helping me along with the rest). The problem, for me, is with the editing. During Episode 1, I replayed a 10-minute segment I had just watched, and the longest any single shot was held was 6 seconds - most of the cuts came much more quickly than that. There is therefore a relentlessly manic quality in the way the final product is put together. I think this is possibly intended to mirror in some way the contemporary, unstable, high-tech, high-speed world that the investigators work in, but, for me, it makes it quite hard to watch and retain concentration

Old Fashioned Cop Show

[hawthornd · 7/10 · 2 February 2021]

This reminded me of shows from the 70s, 80s or 90s. Each episode is an individual case which is solved in the end and then you start again in the next episode. Despite good performances and decent dialogue it's all a little to neat and formulaic. Saying that, it is watchable and requires no commitment from the viewer so you can watch a single episode and walk away without feeling that you're missing something.

A classy crime series perfectly paced with characters you care about

[chessiebarbara-67260 · 10/10 · 24 June 2019]

This is one of the best crime series I've seen in a long time. The plots keep you pinned to the screen, the pacing and film score are perfectly in synch, and the characters are multi-dimensional, sometime flawed but always human. You care about them. Patrick Ridremont is excellent as the widowed cop trying to do his demanding job and also raise his three small children. Any parent watching him can emphasize. The family situation adds heart and emotional depth to this compelling series. I can only hope that it will be renewed.

So Difficult to Rate...

[diana_m_j · 6/10 · 3 April 2021]

I usually have no trouble writing reviews, but this one is proving to be a challenge. This series has almost all of the elements I look for: good acting, plot, writing, directing, etc. But I just couldn't get hooked, I am sad to say.

When I pondered the reason for this, I landed on the fact that **SPOILER ALERT** each episode completely wraps up that particular episode's story line. While this might be very appealing for those who want to watch a "one and done" episode without being left in suspense of "whodunnit," this show would be perfect. I, however, enjoy a series where each episode builds upon the next and leaves you guessing the outcome until the final episode. In that format, there is so much more opportunity for character development and the building of suspense. And it also makes the show more binge-worthy (in my opinion).

So, like I said in the beginning, I found it difficult to rate, because it truly IS high-quality material. I am just not a fan of the format. It still gets 6 stars from me, however. Some great stuff has been coming out of Belgium - this one just didn't hook me.

Great plots

[alinesantanna · 9/10 · 25 June 2019]

I don't get the ratings...it's such a great show! This show kept me glued to the screen. Different stories from the ones usually told on this type of show. Billie's kinda annoying in the beginning but it gets better. Great characters, great storyline. Highly recommend.

Too many cliches

[nikola-jankovic · 6/10 · 24 August 2019]

I watched only first episode so far, but I dont think it will improve. There are number of cliches about the murderer. Key findings in investigation have depended on coincidences. Usually, this is showing writers are taking shortcuts, or as I see it, lazy writing. I hoped for more realisti police procedure.

Might be okay if you know absolutely nothing about computers and cyber security

[krader-imdb · 4/10 · 26 January 2020]

I'm a software engineer. The technical aspects of the first episode are complete bollocks. It's possible that the characters and stories in subsequent episodes are decent. But episode one failed on all three counts. Clearly the writers did not have any competent technical advisors.

Must watch

[eve-melville · 8/10 · 9 July 2019]

This show had me watching right from start, great characters with good story.

Cyber wars

[sarahcapo · 6/10 · 20 June 2019]

Its an ok series if not a tad idealistic. The team is good but the somewhat childish enthusiasm of Billie... grating.

Frustrating

[saintgermain-83925 · 4/10 · 29 November 2022]

I want to like this series as some elements of it are good but it is spoilt by ludicrous plots and ridiculous fantasies about technical support for crime detection . Please ,please dont tell me and dont believe that "Billie", the nerdish IT expert ,can literally find data on everyone in the universe and repair or solve any broken software or equipment ,in minutes,unless you are a conspiracy big state lunatic . Patrick Ridremont as the non techy boss of the unit is excellent and makes you want to watch him and the rest of the team are fine as individuals and actors its just the rubbish they are scripted to say that is the problem .

Quite good despite its flaws

[LauraAnnG · 13 October 2020]

Unite 42 is a Belgian production. The detective team is of a cyber-crime flavor and the "42" in the title is in reference to "Hitchiker's Guide to the Galaxy".

You never know when you start a series if you'll like it or not. I've recently turned off some shows after a few minutes, but this one caught my interest and I ended up enjoying it.

I always watch international productions like this in the original audio with subtitles. Subtitles don't bother me at all. I understand some people hate them.

Once again we have a single parent detective (in this case, its a dude) as the main character. The kids are not quite as annoying as they are in some other series (I'm looking at you, Deadwind). I thought this actor was very good.

Another major character is the female tech wizard and she is truly the epitome of annoying.

But overall, I really got to enjoy the characters. The plots -- well, they were sort of silly and so much just magically happens without the characters doing much if any real police work that you have to chuckle. One basically needs to suspend disbelief.

Also... if you are technically inclined, you'll find yourself rolling your eyes quite a bit. The writers do try but... much of just too far-fetched to believe.

This reminds me a bit of a French show called "The Detectives" -- its sort of semi-comedic cop show and very different from the heavy, depressing Scandinavian shows and the angst-ridden Brit series.

There was thing about this production that I really liked and thought kind of unique: there are these shots where the victims, while still alive, look right at the camera. They only last a few seconds but.. they are incredibly poignant. It's like a reminder that while this ia a procedural, that somewhere back in the distance the story is about a person whose life ended. I found it just heartwrenching.

So... this is okay. I'm glad I watched it and was sad when I realized I'd just finished the last episode. I find myself hoping there will be more.

Web series anthology..!

[kamalbeeee · 6/10 · 27 January 2020]

Quite impressive on first episode itself...nice to watch 45min short thriller movie..

Watched on Netflix got to the end of episode 10 and WTF

[awvknj · 7/10 · 27 May 2023]

There must be another season because it looks so many questions and disappointingly. It's not available right now on Netflix so I will have to wait and hope that they bring back season two I enjoyed that. The characters were interesting and evolved throughout the series. I listened to French with subtitles. I don't speak French so wet I had to rewind from time to time to make sure I could understand what was being said because, the subtitles went by a little fast sometimes but I did enjoy the series. I recommend that Danny buddy who likes crime mystery genre. Sometimes things were a bit graphic, but so are crimes.

Will Not Regret Watching...Unless Expecting Elitist Euro-Snobicism.

[chigger29 · 9/10 · 9 September 2019]

As some have pointed out, this is no foray into deeply thought-out scriptwriting. And the rapid-fire problem-solving is rather more than a bit far-fetched. (So many hyphenated words!!!). And some complain of Billie's over-reactions to emotional moments, but, honestly, 1) she is young and new to the force, and 2) she's French (Don't jump on me, her mum said something about going back to France. In any case, I don't see Belgians being less emotive than French. And yes, I'm lightheartedly stereotyping!).

But this is one of this rare gems: a drama with comedic bits and semi-comedic characters thrown in. I do tire of very dark shows which drag us into deep, dark, maelstrom of misery while clues are dragged out over several episodes. Often I don't finish watching the series, as they may be great, but they are no fun to watch. I feel depressed after watching.

So that is my small vote for not being too harsh on allowing Europeans to have their own enjoyable television shows. Use this as a reason to appreciate women without Botox and starting men over 50 who say they are 37 on dating apps (was that his brother or the producers? Or the actors's vanity?)

Cheers

Just started watching this on Netflix

[Nightmarelogic · 7/10 · 23 March 2021]

Just started watching this on Netflix and it is a compelling and complex procedural. The characters have chemistry especially Sam and Billie who I consider the main two of the series. Worth watching

Sexy cyber cops with a badass female coder

[robinlterrell · 10/10 · 29 June 2019]

Love this show. A total sexy need fest. The crimes are varied and fascinating. The characters backstories are rich.

Solid show spoiled by shaky camera technique in overdrive

[msghall · 6/10 · 21 February 2022]

I really enjoyed much of this series: good acting, quick pacing and decent writing. But over the episodes, I became weary of the overly-caffeinated camera work, with actors moving out of frame and details becoming blurred. I gave up eventually and think what a waste of an otherwise solid effort.

Fast-moving series

[laduqesa · 5/10 · 20 August 2021]

And it's just as well because if the pace were a little slower we'd have time to think about the plot holes and the utter ridiculousness of the internet hacking and detection work.

The first series had more of an overarching theme and I enjoyed it better. The second did too, but I thought the context and its working out were rather hollow and artificial.

I found some of the characters' actions to be completely untrue to life, especially in view of family and work commitments. Risks and actions were taken that I cannot imagine a police team or its members doing. Inappropriate relationships were going on and even when discovered didn't seem to get the officers concerned suspended.

As I said in the title, it was all going at a cracking pace and that made it watchable. I saw the lot and quite enjoyed it. Am I damning with faint praise? I think I am.

Great for binge or incrimental viewing, better than American formulaic cop shows

[indiapaige · 9/10 · 25 July 2019]

Well worth checking out! Based on a cyber crimes law enforcement unit based in Brussels. I thoroughly enjoyed the storylines, writing, acting and production. Its refreshing to view quality who-dunnits that dont follow same old predictable formulae. Character development throughout the first season has been well inegrated without distracting from forward driven plot storylines. Each episode presents self contained crimes, often but not always including homicide, always requiring above average IT skills. The youngest member in the unit is female which made a big difference in realistic representation. Inclusion of a forensic pathologist with a disability is another realistic incousion, thanks to the wroters producers or casting agents who made that choice. I saw the dubbed version although subtitles were turned on also which dont exactly match dubbed dialogue. I persnally dont mind subtitles, when done well they assist in brushing up on other language skills. While that practice is popular across Europe I suppose single language Americans arent keen on this which is too bad. Netflix was started in America? I guess it makes sense theyre pandering to Americans.

Could not make it past the first 15 minutes

[svenryelsdorn · 3/10 · 7 July 2019]

I found myself wishing it had been Billie who had been strangled.

Loses Just a Little in the Translation

[Hitchcoc · 9/10 · 16 November 2019]

It took me a few moments to get into this show. New characters. Foreign language--even with subtitles. There seemed to be a sterility to it. But once I realized what they were about, it became suspenseful and quite exciting. The conclusion had me on the edge of my seat. The cyber crime's unit is very interesting. I'm looking forward to seeing where this goes from here.