"Manaich" is still a great series, but an asterisk hovers over its second season

"Manaich" is still one level above most Israeli series.

Shalom Asaig, Amos Tamam and Liraz Hammi still lead an excellent cast in an excellent game, and even though two years have passed since the previous season - you can dedicate yourself to it lightly as if we never left it.

The question arises as to whether she has anything new to say

Nadav Menuhin

24/06/2022

Friday, 24 June 2022, 08:30 Updated: 08:41

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Shalom Asaig, Manaich (Photo: Roy Roth, courtesy here 11)

"Manaich", one of the most successful Israeli series of recent years, has returned for a second season here 11. The previous season of The Police Thriller ended with a resounding criminal crescendo, with a clear victory of the bad guys over the good guys.

The researchers do get another chance, but will they be able to win this round?

The new season opens with the finding of Ruslan Menachemov's body - an opportunity for Tal Ben Harush (the wonderful Liraz Hammi), determined and pregnant, to return and finish the work on the Barak Harel bags (Amos Tamam who continues with a strong and restrained performance).

However, Izzy Bachar (Shalom Asaig, the heart of the series), who retired bitterly to work in the family business, tries to convince her to let it go: after all, the entire police apparatus is mobilized for the commissioner, Barak Harel and their people. The country is closely following investigations against the prime minister - with a very, very direct wink - all the active actors return to the old war between honest cops and rhinos and criminals.On the way we meet again with a host of beloved characters in the wide cast, and also get some news.

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One level above them all.

Manaich (Photo: Roy Roth, courtesy here 11)

The good news is that "Manich" is still one level above most Israeli series.

Shalom Asaig, Amos Tamam and Liraz Hammi still lead an excellent cast in an excellent game, and even though two years have passed since the previous season - you can dedicate yourself to it lightly as if we never left it.

The abundance of winks to episodes that are familiar to all of us, amusing guest appearances, among others by journalists (Ayala Hasson broadcasts from Channel 15, for example), only add to the fun.

Her pace is excellent, the direction is sharp, and the chemistry between the actors is great.

It is still effective and convincing, and provides excellent TV.

Still, an asterisk hovers over the second season of the series.

From its inception, Manaich was no ordinary police thriller: its cards are on the table from the beginning, and the main thing is not to solve a mystery as is customary in series of this kind - but a psychological chess game between former friends, who gradually discover the depth of the gap between them.

The first season did not go to solving the mystery, but to the inevitable confrontation between the two men, between duty and friendship, and between law and crime.

Excellent.

Liraz Hammi (Photo: Roy Roth, courtesy here 11)

After all this catharsis, does "Manich" have much more to develop?

Her first two episodes - the ones sent for review - are mostly an exposition.

Even if the plot continues, and the longtime opponents return for another round, it is still unclear if it has anything new to say.

Is there a plot point in continuing the Izzy and Lightning dance around each other?

The burden of proof rests on the shoulders of its protagonists.

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