User Reviews

I'm of the view that this is a contender for the best season so far. There seems to be a division between those who can and those who can't survive without Ciro. Ciro has been a compelling charcter, but frankly I've enjoyed his absence in this season. As others point out Genna develops as a character in this season in ways one could never have anticipated in season one or even season two.

The other star here is Patricia. Again a divisive figure, but for me she was a great character, albeit an unlikely one, and it's as with the previous season she finds herself vying not just against the old guard who have difficulty accepting a woman in her position, but also the women in the background, here less her new husband's family, which is traditionally catholic & patriarchal, and more that of Genna's beautiful wife. There is something quite terrifying about the way that Genna's wife, dresses up to the nines to to let Patricia, the new boss of Secondigliano, just who's who.

It's Genna though who's in charge, as we'll discover.

One last note. A few of the episodes, particularly the one where Patricia gets married, shows us the stunning beauty of the Neapolitan coastline. If one remembers the sheer bleakness of season one, set in the slum tenements of Secondigliano and compare it to the beauty of of old naples, and the neapolitan coastline it's a true revelation.

In my view another triumpant season, but obviously not everyone agrees.

While many felt there would be an unavoidable decline post-Ciro, season 4 stands very tall indeed. A major source of the strength is Cristiana Dell'Anna as Patrizia. She holds her own as co-lead with the stoic, strong Salvatore Esposito. The sexism she faces is handled well. Yet even as she establishes herself as a force to be reckoned with, the "Bird Man" (Don Gerlando) acts against his own interest, so ingrained is his patriarchal vision of the world. His stubborn folly lays waste to the peace.

Expecting a child with Mickey changes all of Patrizia's calculations. Mother or boss? Her remarks on the bee documentary led me to expect a twist that never came. I will admit I didn't anticipate the final twist. Did she rat out Genny? We never see her response to the picture, which is another smart move by the writers. Was Genny right or is he the real rat? It is a tribute to the writers and cast that viewers are left with a lot to consider.

The further development of Genny bodes well for season 5. We leave Genny in a cell of his own choosing. While Patrizia could not face prison and wished to leave the game for a family life, Genny realizes he is not fit for family life. His wife and child may be safe with clean money and plush comfort, yet there is no hiding from the ripples of mayhem in the drug trade. Enzo is a wildcard in the wind with nothing to left lose. Bravo. I look forward to the final season.

Does quentin tarantino or martin scorsese direct these episodes ? Because literally everyone dies, except genno. It just seems like these guys have their guard down way too often, and do none of them have cell phones? If crazy stuff is going on would you not call the rest of the crew? Seasons 1-3 were the best, season 4 dropped off in excitement, after awhile it's the same thing over and over again, the main characters get killed off and genno out smarts everyone. Patrizia is and always was annoying, I can't believe she lasted that long. Ciro was the best character, he should of lived on.