What happens when a lot of cocaine washes up on the beach in one of Europe’s poorest areas? Turn of the Tide, a Portuguese crime drama on Netflix, takes place in the beautiful Azores and is based on that question. The response, as expected, is a mix of desperation, ambition, and a risky chance.
The show follows four main characters—Eduardo, Silvia, Rafael, and Carlinho—who are all having a hard time with their own problems and limited options. All four of them want to leave their small island town because it feels too small. When a huge shipment of cocaine worth millions of euros washes up on São Miguel, it gives them a chance to change their lives.
They get a lot of the narcotics and immediately come up with a strategy to sell them. But their goals put them in direct opposition with strong groups. Detective Frias’s job is to get the shipment back, but a deadly drug lord named Monti is just as anxious to get back what he thinks is his. This creates a typical cat-and-mouse dynamic that keeps the suspense high throughout the season.
The show gets into the characters’ personal lives as the plot goes on. Silvia’s terrible family history and Eduardo’s struggles at home, especially taking care of his blind father while dealing with his mother’s loss, make the story more poignant. The series is mostly on Silvia and Eduardo, with Rafael and Carlinho having their moments. This is where they grow the most.
The Azorean environment is very important to the series’ visuals. The landscapes are definitely gorgeous and give the show a unique feel. However, the stylistic approach can feel too much at times, putting style over substance at times. The early episodes, in particular, rely a lot on explicit conversation, and some of the performances are too dramatic, which might take away from the tale.
Turn of the Tide doesn’t really change the story much. It relies a lot on crime drama cliches, such the incessant back-and-forth between criminals and the police. Other Netflix shows have dealt with similar subjects, and the plot sometimes has predictable turns and a few parts that don’t make sense.
Even with these problems, the show is still interesting. Its character-driven parts, especially Silvia’s story, give it enough complexity to keep people interested. Turn of the Tide may not be the most unique entry in the genre, but it is a good and fun one that you can easily binge over a few nights.