Ligas: The Unapologetically Unwoke Italian Crime Drama on Sky Atlantic
Viewers seeking progressive crimebusters with liberal ideals and a feminist slant should steer clear of Ligas, the new Italian-language series on Sky Atlantic. This show is as politically correct as a classic Carry On film and as woke as a Reform UK party conference, making it an unlikely candidate for a repeat on BBC4. Set against the backdrop of Milan, the series stars Luca Argentero as Lorenzo Ligas, a dapper lawyer whose life is spiraling out of control, yet he remains unapologetically chauvinistic.
A Throwback to Chauvinist Archetypes
In an era profoundly shaped by the Me Too movement, where even a minor transgression can lead to severe consequences, it is startling to see a character like Ligas not only exist but thrive in a starring role. Women in his orbit are primarily objects of desire, whether they are rival lawyers, crime witnesses, or the wives of colleagues. The plot often sees these characters murdered when convenient, yet they are inexplicably drawn to his magnetic arrogance. Ligas is so vain that he checks his reflection in parked car windows, and his hotel room mirror boasts the inscription, 'Greatest Lawyer In Town'.
Our introduction to Lorenzo Ligas is at the dentist, where he is treating a chipped tooth sustained during vigorous sex with one of his many mistresses. Later, he sends her a close-up photo of his most prominent anatomical feature as a memento, a move that underscores the show's brazen disregard for modern sensitivities. While series like Fleabag have mocked and diminished such old-fashioned chauvinist lotharios on UK television, reducing them to figures of fun, Ligas presents this archetype with a straight face, suggesting a cultural divergence in storytelling.
Cultural Contrasts and Tongue-in-Cheek Execution
Evidently, Italy offers a different landscape for such narratives. Ligas operates with impunity, insulting his boss and even terrifying small children, all while being celebrated for his virility—a quality portrayed as admirable. His first client is a Noughties Eurotrash singer, whose music videos feature bikini-clad dancers, aligning perfectly with Ligas's tastes. Despite being chucked out by his wife, she still adores him, and judges melt under his wit and charm. Milan's chief prosecutor, one of his innumerable ex-lovers, finds herself powerless against his legal acumen.
Even by Italian standards, the series employs a tongue-in-cheek approach. In one scene, Ligas pauses from groping a prosecution witness to admire her modernist furnishings, highlighting his connoisseurship of contemporary decor. Yet, the show undeniably expects viewers to find Ligas irresistible. His forensic eye misses no detail, and he remains impeccably dressed even when blind drunk. The question remains: will audiences fall for him? This reviewer plans to keep watching, albeit with strong disapproval, intrigued by the show's unabashed defiance of contemporary norms.
