Salamander

Salamander is a Belgian crime drama television series that ran from 2012 to 2018, showcasing an exceptional mix of suspense, crime investigation, and political intrigue. With prominent actors Filip Peeters and Wim Opbrouck giving stellar performances, the narrative revolves around a mysterious robbery and its far-reaching consequences. The show offers captivating storytelling combined with realistic characterization, maintaining intense suspense till the very last episode.

Filip Peeters plays the lead role of Paul Gerardi, an upright, tenacious detective inspector with the Belgian Federal Police. Gerardi is known for his indomitable spirit and relentless pursuit of justice. When a sequence of seemingly random yet influential victims from the Belgian elite community get targeted following a single bank robbery, Gerardi gets intrigued and starts digging into it. Unsurprisingly, his investigation leads him into a political minefield, exposing an underworld conspiracy known as 'Salamander.'

Wim Opbrouck portrays the character of Vic Adams, a major in the Federal Police, a loyal ally and a close friend of Gerardi. He provides the necessary support and assistance to Gerardi, navigating the risky political terrain while also dealing with the tension and fear that the investigation incites.

Salamander begins with the burglary of 66 safe deposit boxes at the private bank Jonkhere in Brussels. However, no ordinary criminals are behind this theft. Instead, the bank specifically catered to the country's most influential figures, with the apparent objective not being mere wealth but a more sinister motive. The thieves targeted material possessions that could expose the dark secrets and scandals of the Belgian elite, potentially sparking widespread disruption, chaos, and anarchy.

The bank's management, fearing reputation loss, decides to keep the theft hidden from the public eye and does not report it to the police. However, Gerardi uncovers the crime accidently through a mysterious tip-off and starts digging into this case out of curiosity and sensing that it is much more than a regular burglary. He inevitably exposes an intricate system of corruption, deception, scandalous secrets that permeates through the Belgian high society and stretches into the political sphere. Whoever this criminal gang Salamander is, they are clearly not amateurs, strategically destabilizing the country by targeting its prominent figures.

Throughout the two-season series, the narrative successfully weaves through the layers of a profound conspiracy, maintaining suspense and driving high-stakes scenarios. Gerardi finds himself facing threats and attempts on his life, reflecting the lengths that the powerful will go to protect their secrets. As he gets closer to the truth, his task becomes even more perilous.

Salamander delves deep into the complex world of corruption and deceit in high echelons, exposing the grey moral areas that people often find themselves in. While Gerardi is shown to be incorruptible and committed to the truth, the characters are depicted in varied shades of grey, each hiding secrets and functioning on personal motives.

Moreover, Salamander not only focuses on the crime investigation or political intrigue but also effectively shows the implications of these events on personal lives. The series depicts the strains and tension on Gerardi's family because of his determination for truth, exposing the personal toll that commitment to duty often demands.

With its meticulous plot, intense suspense, deep human elements, and exceptional performances, especially from Filip Peeters and Wim Opbrouck, Salamander resonates the eerie thrill of classic crime dramas and will have viewers engrossed from start to finish. Although originally in Dutch, the high quality of suspense and intrigue has made Salamander an international hit, with subtitles and dubbed versions available.