Tabula Rasa

9-episode 2017 series from Belgium (2017)

This is an emotional mystery/thriller from Belgium but not from Hercule Poirot universe in manner or in details. There is a timeline of events and behavior that seems to defy reality, still entertains. The condition of a home's basement seems utterly incomprehensible, which could be my personal prejudices regarding a livable environment. This series has the familiar trope of the lead character, being both a major suspect in a murder and a victim (of a drunken driver). However the lead, Veerle Baetens (as Annemie "Mie" D'Haeze), portrayed her part quite expertly. She is a formerly popular entertainer who after a massive car accident, is left alive but with brain damage resulting in short term memory loss. The supporting cast has various levels of expertise, but all seem capable. Jeroen Perceval (as Thomas De Geest) and Peter Van Den Begin (as Vronsky) were the standouts. There are MacGuffins galore galloping through the first 8 episodes. While I was able to solve some of the mysteries before the exposition heavy episode 9 gave them all away, there were still enough loose ends to keep me on board through the end of episode 9. The early episodes unfold in a slow leisurely pace, with lots of food being prepared, eaten and dishes washed. However I took all this kitchen action as a good script technique to focus on the wall-sized blackboard that filled one wall. This wall and a handwritten journal make up most of Mie's post-accident memories. The slow pace of the earlier episodes allows for Mie's investigation regarding her accident and a missing person (probable murder) incident. The last episode is so speed and exposition-driven that I was grateful for the pause and rewind feature on the streaming service. The ending while rushed, did provide some closure. I wonder if the script was intended to be a much longer series. There was no theatrical rating on this series, due to some blood and physical violence, but primarily due to subject matter, I would rate this series as an R.