As a way of reviewing the Israeli TV series Makimi (2013), it's interesting to compare it with its predecessor, Srugim (2008). Both narrate romantic relationships of youngish single Israeli Jews. On Amazon Prime, where I viewed each series, Makimi's video is higher resolution, while Srugim's is barely adequate. Both have similar IMDb ratings. Makimi is more dramatic; Srugim is a mix of drama and comedy. Secularism and religious life play an equal role in Makimi, while most Srugim characters are Orthodox Jews. Srugim is much longer, with more characters and plot twists. Questions of faith and unbelief are central to Makimi, while Orthodoxy is mainly, but not entirely, just the background in which Srugim's characters interact.
From this comparison, I would expect to like Makimi better. Although it was good (7 stars from me), Srugim was great (10 stars). The reasons are the elusive factors by which I related more strongly to Srugim's characters than to Makimi's. In Makimi, Alma's instant attraction to Ben seemed implausible and unmotivated. I couldn't distinguish her made-for-TV facial expressions from her genuine ones. I never really understood or related to Ben. Despite these shortcomings, Makimi's story line was strong and well scripted in the latter episodes, and they were nicely acted.
I hope we get to see more series like Makimi and Srugim.
From this comparison, I would expect to like Makimi better. Although it was good (7 stars from me), Srugim was great (10 stars). The reasons are the elusive factors by which I related more strongly to Srugim's characters than to Makimi's. In Makimi, Alma's instant attraction to Ben seemed implausible and unmotivated. I couldn't distinguish her made-for-TV facial expressions from her genuine ones. I never really understood or related to Ben. Despite these shortcomings, Makimi's story line was strong and well scripted in the latter episodes, and they were nicely acted.
I hope we get to see more series like Makimi and Srugim.
