The series only very loosely follows the plot of the BBC series of a similar name (based on a 19th century French novel) in the first season, then veers off to become a more traditional Italian soap opera/ drama. Unfortunately over-the-top organized crime and corruption is over represented as a plot device that pushes the series into "horrible Italian stereotype" territory, but it redeems itself with solid acting and character development. Unlike previous adaptions of "The Ladies Paradise", this one is set in the 1950s....well, almost. The set dressers lack of attention to detail catapults us into the 21st century when they add modern details like modern mini LED Christmas lights (with a cobalt blue that was only produced in the past decade), VERY modern American mylar balloons, and holograph printed mylar wrapping paper and decorations (something that didn't exist until the 1980s). There may be a Sterling Cooper reference in the script, but the crew of "Mad Men" would never have made such colossal blunders when dressing a set! My other nit to pick is the soundtrack; there's only a dozen or so sampled bits of music that's recycled for every bloody sequence, which gets fairly maddening for anyone who watches more than two episodes in a row. RAI should cough up a few extra euros for some fresh tunes, vintage style bulbs, papers, and plain,opaque, period correct balloons!
