Based on Roberto Saviano’s best-selling novel and award-winning film of the same name, Gomorrah: The Series is a gritty crime thriller following the exploits of high-ranking members of the Camorra, a Neapolitan crime syndicate headed by the Savastano family. While many characters get their time in the sun, the most notable in the first season are Ciro De Marzio (Marco D’Amore), a high ranking capo with great ambitions, Pietro Savastano (Fortunato Cerlino), the clan patriarch, Immacolata Savastano (Maria Pia Calzone), the clan matriarch, and Genny Savastano (Salvatore Espasito), the grown son of Pietro and Imma and heir to the Camorra.
Throughout the season, Ciro attempts to seize leadership using guile, subterfuge, and his influence over Genny. Early in the season, Don Pietro finds himself imprisoned and unable to lead the syndicate. Donna Imma and Genny vie for control of the clan as the various factions within and outside of the syndicate take advantage of the disappearance of the Don Ciro’s plans to accede to power twists and turn through the season as betrayal and bodies stack up. The ending of the first season is surprising and powerful, gearing Gomorra: The Series up for an action-packed and blood-drenched second season.
Though the writing ebbs and flows in its quality from episode to the episode there are several elements that remain throughout: the use of dull urban colors with intense filters, rapid-fire characterization, beautiful cinematography, and brutal violence. Expect at least a death an episode (if not more). The dramatic components can be outstanding or just plain boring, but often the slowest moments in the show are backed up by far more dramatic gunplay or betrayal. Gomorrah: The Series' drama is quickly paced, for the most part, each episode playing out almost as a stand-alone story.
Ciro is an interesting character, especially when we see his loyalty being pressed and his ambitions coming to the forefront. Genny and Imma represent the new ways and the old ways. The interplay of their desires and strategies causes some interesting problems for the Camorra but also opens up new doors for the syndicate. The gunplay is outstanding and fairly realistic in its speed and shock value.
The liner notes promise “twelve blood-drenched episodes” and Gomorrah delivers. Issues of race, gender, and sexuality play out poorly, but this is a story about organized crime so some unkindness and bigotry on the part of the gangsters are to be expected. Gomorrah would be a perfect recommendation for library patrons interested in crime stories and comes highly recommended for developing drama television collections.