Unite 42

Unite 42, a French-language crime thriller produced by RTBF from 2017 to 2019, plunges viewers into the cybercrime realm and the efforts made by a special police unit to counter it. Part police procedural, part crime thriller, part drama, Unite 42 provides an intense, unnerving yet captivating examination of the intersection of human life with technology in its darkest shades.

The series commences when Brussels' police detective, Sam Leroy, joins the cybercrime division, Unit 42, following the loss of his wife in a car accident. Leroy, played by Patrick Ridremont, is an old school detective whose area of expertise lies in traditional investigation methods instead of the contemporary digital landscape his new team navigates. As a result, there is an immediate clash of styles and worldviews between him and his new team that leads to tension-filled dynamics and relationships.

Billie Vebber, a former hacker within the unit and Leroy's direct partner, is a stark contrast to him. She's tech-savvy with her fingers on the pulse of the cybercrime world – a world that Leroy struggles to understand initially. This odd pair of characters presents an entertaining and engaging depiction of how contrasting methodologies can bring about a complete picture, especially when tackling the faceless, impersonal nature of cybercrime.

Unite 42 does not shy away from chilling plotlines that range from cyber bullying, identity theft, personal data hacking, up to orchestrated terrorist attacks – all using the digital as the primary weapon. Though the themes may seem complex, the series intelligently presents these through straightforward narratives that both tech-savvy and not-so-tech-savvy audiences can follow.

The backbone of Unite 42 is its compelling characters that employ cutting-edge technology to penetrate the underworld of cybercrime. Sam's preconception of criminals and his discomfort with technology serves as a foil for Billie's youthful dynamism and propensity to inhabit the digital world. Additionally, the supporting characters add depth and color to the narrative like Nassim Khaoulani, a digital forensic specialist, Alice Meerks, a system administrator, and Bob Franck, their boss who leads them fearlessly. Their interactions, conflicts, and camaraderie form the human element that makes the show more than just a crime-solving adventure.

It is not only the crimes and the cyber world that are explored in Unite 42; the series delves into the personal lives of its main characters, layering them with complexities and relatability that balance its technological backdrop. The emotional struggles, individual traumas, personal triumphs, and relationship intricacies are intimately detailed, making room for the characters to grow and allowing viewers to connect with them more deeply. The death of Sam’s wife haunts him throughout series, shaping his transformation and development. Simultaneously, Billie's past as a hacker and the implications it has on her current job are consistently touched upon, offering a well-rounded personality profile.

Technologically adept illustrations of crime, clever investigative procedures, and an astute approach to the themes of privacy, legality, and morality in today's digital age make Unite 42 an engaging watch. Additionally, the series effectively depicts Brussels as a metropolis grappling with threats unseen by the naked eye, adding a sense of authenticity to the proceedings.

Unite 42 is crafted with intense precision, offering a thrilling and smartly executed narrative. It is an immersive journey into the digital underbelly, making it more than just another crime drama on your watchlist. As it challenges your perceptions of the cyber world and crime, it simultaneously melts your heart with moving personal stories, establishing itself as a unique blend within the genre. Through its 20 episodes, across two seasons, Unite 42 promises a gripping exploration of the world of cybercrime, all the while leaving you with thought-provoking questions about the digital age's ethical and societal implications.