Prisoners Of War (2010)

I recently finished watching the first season of the Israeli TV show: "Prisoners of War" (called "חטופים" or "Abductees" in Hebrew.) It is from 2010 and in Hebrew with English subtitles. It is a great show. I randomly came across it and couldn't stop watching it. It's about three Israeli soldiers that are captured in Lebanon and held prisoner for 17 years until 2 of them are released (the third has died.) The show then explores how they have to adjust to life in modern-day Israel, how the Israeli Government is trying to figure out if they have been turned by the terrorists  and how their families are trying to come to turns with them coming back.

 

The main characters (as described by Wikipedia)  are:

 

- Yoram Toledano  as Nimrod Klein, a prisoner of war, and a brave, witty and intelligent man. He has difficulty readjusting to life with his wife and two children.

- Yael Abecassis as Talia Klein, Nimrod's wife. She campaigned tirelessly for her husband's release. Since his return, she has trouble relating to him, and she finds that her life no longer has a clear purpose.

- Yael Eitan as Dana, Nimrod's rebellious daughter, who was two years old when her father was captured.

- Guy Selnik  as Hatzav, Nimrod's teenage son, who was born after his father was taken captive

-  Ishai Golan as Uri Zach, a shy and timid prisoner of war. He is very close to Nimrod. During Uri's captivity, his fiancée married his brother, and they had a son.

- Mili Avital as Nurit Halevi-Zach, Uri's former fiancée. After mourning Uri's capture and becoming convinced that he was dead, she eventually grew close to and married his brother Yaki. She feels intense guilt after Uri's return.

- Assi Cohen as Amiel Ben-Horin, a prisoner of war believed to have been killed during his captivity under mysterious circumstances.

- Adi Ezroni as Yael Ben-Horin, Amiel's younger sister. She finds it impossible to deal with his death, and she begins to see him in visions

- Gal Zaid as Haim Cohen, an IDF psychologist. He leads the investigation of Nimrod and Uri, convinced that they are hiding something.

- Sendi Bar as Iris, an IDF operative working with Haim

 

 

The actors do a great job of portraying the different emotions required for each character, especially for the different time periods: before they were captured, during their torture and imprisonment and once they are freed. It couldn't have been easy to do, but somehow they pull it off. Each segment seemed flawless. This is the kind of show that people in other countries can relate to (especially ones that have soldiers in warzones: the US, Canada, most of NATO, etc.) You don't have to be Israeli to understand or enjoy this show. The affects of: terrorism, torture, PTSD, and adjustment are sadly universal.  I know "Prisoners of War" was remade for US TV into ""Homeland." I haven't seen that show, but may watch it to see if it is as good as this one. Right now I am starting the second season and hope it's as good as the first. I also heard they are making a third season.