This was exceptionally good. At first it seemed like a more conventional cross-cultural thriller - clash of cultures/approaches etc etc - but it soon turned into something more, offering thoughtful insights into dilemmas faced by those in law enforcement, personal difficulties caused by these factors mixed with family issues - and the careful depiction of family in Japan was a fascinating aspect of this series.
All the characters were multi-faceted and convincing - no cliched figures such as often pepper such shows and they were interestingly and convincingly humanly flawed. Just as in life, the ending did not simply tie up all loose ends as life tends not to have loose ends - although of course there is always the commercial awareness of sequels…
Visually it was very good. Occasional use of split screen (hello cinema of the 70’s!) and in the final episode, at the climax a sudden break into B & W dance number (tango?) with all major characters, including some who had died, which was wonderful, a total blindsiding, and very powerful as it seemed to recapitulate the relationships that were important between all the major characters.
So remarkably good and original.