I will keep this completely spoiler free.
After finishing the season, I was surprised (and disappointed) to read so many negative reviews criticising the show for being too 'soap-like' (as in revolving around characters' emotional dilemmas) and not really being 'about' the Syrian/ISIS conflict. This is a ridiculous criticism to make. Here are some examples to help you appreciate why: "Designated Survivor is terrible, because its not really about Washington or the government". "Homeland is a bad show, it wasn't really about the CIA or the war in Afghanistan". "Die Hard is awful, its not really about LA or the Nakatomi corporation". You see what I mean? Stories ALWAYS need humanly relatable elements - which means emotions, personal conflicts, interpersonal dilemmas and dynamics. Its laughable that some critics literally compared No Man's Land to actual documentaries! If you want to learn more about Syria, the Kurds, ISIS etc - then yes, by all means watch some documentaries. No Man's Land is a fictional show that tells a very engaging and compelling story but in this CONTEXT.
And what a context it is. The closest parallel that emerged for me was Sicario - yes a different context entirely, but also similar in dynamics - a person out of their depth, moral ambiguities, shadowy leaders pulling the strings, having their own agendas etc. And of course the continual threat of random, brutal violence. Again though, Sicario wasn't really 'about' Mexico or the war on drugs - it was about one persons struggle to make sense of something so complex and futile - like life itself - something we can all relate to at times, and the same essential core as No Man's Land.
The story is hugely engaging and relatable, uncomfortably so at times, which is perhaps why some people were triggered by it. Who are you really, what do you really stand for, and why? Who would you be if those causes didn't happen or exist? How do you feel, knowing that your whole personality and life trajectory has been steered by events and experiences outside of your control? How do you then navigate that? These are deeply universal fears and quagmires that should plague anyone capable of thought, and are explored in various ways in No Man's Land. It's top-notch emotional character-driven story-telling, told in a brilliant way, set in the most uncompromising context imaginable.
I'm so thankful I stumbled upon this show, while actually looking up the Porsche stealing 80s movie of the same name (which is awesome in its own, very different way!)
