Jo

Just when it was getting interesting, it was cancelled. The criticism about American accents notwithstanding, very little about this show disturbed me at all. The unFrenchness of the cast made Jean Reno's role stand out much more and I suppose my bilingualism made me not only appreciate his English accent more, but also allowed me to understand it.

It definitely had things going for it, although yes, the casting was a tiny bit weak: Reno's boss didn't quite have the stature one might expect of a senior cop, and Reno's daughter might have been a tad TOO vulnerable but in a way, these small apparent failings were not really negative and certainly didn't detract from my enjoyment overall.

Interesting stories, interesting routines (I liked the semi-comical back and forth between team members at the beginning of each case), a very believable and likable cop in Jean Reno and of course, Paris, all went to make it something of a disappointment for me that there won't be any suite.

This series kept my mind puzzled, not because of the mystery or detective work, but rather that it was 100% Paris but I don't think I heard a single word of French through the entire season. It really makes me wonder what the decision was behind this project. Who was the target audience?

The reason it only lasted one season is because I think the story lines are weak and a bit dull. The actors and acting was fine. Detective series are favorites of my wife and me. It was interesting seeing Jill Hennessy from Crossing Jordan in this series.

I lived in Paris for three years almost 40 years ago. I was excited to see familiar sights, and to learn of a few places in the city I didn't visit.

While this may not be the best show Jean Reno has ever made, I still enjoyed it very much! It is kind of stiff in parts, forced in others, but he's worth watching regardless. I do recommend this. The only part that bugs everyone is that this takes place in Paris, but everyone speaks English with an American accent, except for Jean. Where's all the French?

I'm German, I live in Paris, with my American wife. So here comes my absolutely neutral critique : Who cares about American or British or French accent. Stiff British wouldn't make it more authentic than sloppy American. Trying to steer the show towards the International is anyway not something to hold against it. Its weak points come rather from a sometimes tepid script, foreseeable dialogs and relations. It's obvious that the producers try to be reeeaaally careful and hold on to a crime series concept that has proved entertaining so often. Unfortunately, maybe too many times. An a bit more daring approach would help the show. But it's not soooo horribly bad. Instead of canceling it, the producers should improve it - the potential is / was there.

Luckily I had recorded 3 episodes of this before watching because I'm not sure I would have bothered watching any further episodes after the 1st one. There seems to be a tendency for new crime series to follow the Scandinavian style in series such as Borgen and I don't have a problem with this especially in Jo. As with all good detectives the main character is flawed, they wouldn't be so good at their job if they weren't I guess. The cast is great particularly Jean Reno and Tom Austen, the Morse and Lewis of Paris.

So why have I only given it 7 stars? Well, it's a slow-burner for a start. I've just seen episode 3 and am enjoying it more as the series progresses. However, I'm not invested in any of the main characters. Jo himself has a troubled past and a tumultuous relationship with his daughter who also has problems, but so far I don't really care. Secondly, this is a series set in France with mainly British actors, good British actors, and yet, they are all adopting American accents. I don't know why unless this is because the producers didn't think an American audience would understand the British accent. Ironically, of course, Jean Reno speaks with a thick French accent and he doesn't compromise that here. If there is to be another series please, please drop the fake American accents because it is needless and annoying and might be the thing that will make me and other, switch off.