It is not every day that you come across a series where what appears to be the main plot point is resolved in the very first episode, but the Italian Netflix series, Sara: Woman in the Shadows, chooses to take a different route. The protagonist, Sara, was determined to solve the mystery behind the death of her son, Giorgio. While it looked like an accident, Sara was convinced there was more to the story. At first it appeared that the six episodes would delve into Giorgio’s life, his associations, and ultimately the reason behind his death. But surprise, surprise, there is something bigger at play, and we are gradually introduced to it.
As the show progresses, we get the idea that Giorgio’s death resulted in a chain of events that led to Sara reconnecting with her former colleagues and putting her investigative skills back into action. Sara was a retired secret agent who could read lips from a distance and therefore was a valuable asset to her department. When she learned about Giorgio’s demise, Sara contacted Teresa, her former colleague, who was at present heading the department. She asked for favors that would help her crack the case, and Teresa chose to assist her, knowing well enough that she wouldn’t rest until she got her payback. Sara: Woman in the Shadows delves deep into the systemic corruption that had taken over Naples, and it puts to the test the idea of what is morally right or wrong.
We are gradually introduced to a case Sara and her partner, Massimiliano, were completely obsessed over in the 90s. They had almost cracked the case; they knew the man responsible for the mafia attacks and bombings, yet they couldn’t find a way to stop it. Somehow, after all these years, Sara gets another chance to bring him to justice, but can she fight the corrupt system all by herself and do the morally right thing? The six episode show essentially deals with this tricky subject. Sara: Woman in the Shadows raises the right questions, and it deserves appreciation for at least not leaning on the usual tropes. While it starts with something very personal, it gradually expands into a rather public outrage. The series also delves into how illegal immigrants are targeted by politicians, and how they often end up becoming scapegoats to cover up massive corruption and crimes. The series also takes a closer look at the connection between the mafia, politicians, opportunists, and the state.
Sara’s messy hair and tired eyes hinted at her quiet suffering and relentless perseverance—it showed the burden she bore and the emotional scars left behind by a lifetime of disappointments and failed hopes. She was exhausted, yet there seemed to be no rest for her. Teresa Saponangelo was thoroughly convincing as Sara. Her subtle yet powerful portrayal captured the complexity of a woman who was on the edge but was determined to continue her fight. Sara’s relationship with Viola, her son’s lover, was definitely one of the most emotional aspects of the show. From refusing to trust Sara at first, Viola gradually grew fond of her. Also, she saw a little bit of Giorgio every time she looked into Sara’s eyes, and she found a sense of peace there. Chiara Celotto captured Viola’s conflict quite aptly. Pregnant and heartbroken over the loss of her partner, Viola was in complete despair, but she found a purpose when she started to spend time with Sara. Flavia Furno’s Pardo is an equally interesting character on the show. While the inspector was a tad bit annoying at first, we eventually learn the reason behind his temper. He didn’t trust Sara initially, but he couldn’t deny that for the first time in a long while he felt he was actually contributing to society as a cop. Teresa, played by Claudia Gerini, is also a severely disappointed and heartbroken character searching for a bigger purpose in life. Most of the characters, as is obvious, are emotionally broken, and together they try to make peace with their reality, and in the course of the six episodes they experience some joy and relief in the form of friendship, companionship, or by simply solving a mystery that could save the lives of the vulnerable.
As someone who watched the series with English subtitles, at times I thought there were a few instances where things were getting a little lost in translation, and that was quite a letdown. A character repeatedly stated that she was sick, but it was never conveyed to us that she was suffering from a terminal illness. I worked out the nature of her sickness from visual cues, and that left me wondering if I was missing out on a few more details because of subpar translation. (If you’ve watched the show in the original language, let us know if there is a translation issue.)
Sara: Woman in the Shadows is one of those series where you’ll find most of the answers to your questions in the final episode. I find this format a little too jarring because it’s usually rushed, and the focus is simply on tying the loose ends one after the other. The last episode was heavily loaded with exposition, and as usual, the mysteries were consecutively resolved. While we could already guess the conclusion we were arriving at, there is no denying that it felt a little hurried and the format was surely a bit cliched.
Considering the kind of ‘content’ that Netflix usually churns out, Sara: Woman in the Shadows is definitely watchable. The plot is quite intriguing; the main character, even with all her flaws, is worth rooting for; and the supporting characters are equally interesting. What I enjoyed the most about the series is that it does not introduce a problem in the very first episode; instead, we gradually arrive at the main issue. The narrative is definitely quite strong, and there are a lot of layers, and it adds a certain depth to the story. Sara: Woman in the Shadows might not be the best show on Netflix, but it’s a decent watch if you enjoy a good crime drama.
