Dept. Q Series Debuts on Netflix with Edinburgh Cold Case Unit

Netflix's Dept. Q is a Scottish-set detective series based on a Danish book series that follows Detective Chief Inspector Carl Morck, who leads a new cold-case unit after a traumatic shooting incident leaves his partner paralyzed and another officer dead. The first season centers on the investigation of Merritt Lingard's disappearance, unraveling a tense mystery that culminates in the discovery of her captors and a race to save her. While the show features strong performances, particularly from Matthew Goode as Morck, and employs thoughtful filmmaking techniques like shifting focus between characters to convey relationships, some critics find the series to be familiar and derivative, lacking originality and a compelling mystery. The atmosphere is moody and somber, with minimal humor, which results in a slow pace that divides opinion among viewers. Despite these criticisms, Dept. Q offers a solid procedural drama with an engaging origin story and potential for further seasons exploring more cold cases. The show has sparked discussion among fans, especially regarding its character-driven approach and the handling of its dark themes.