The first Italian series I've watched, this first episode is promising. It does suffer from the same problem as the BBC miniseries McMafia, diving deep into a complex plot without making it clear the role of each character. This isn't helped by the acting which is only passable and does little to differentiate each character. I had to read a recap to fully understand what is going on. I'd advise anyone thinking of watching to read refinery29's recap titled 'Is This Netflix Show The New Narcos?' which makes it clearer. Maybe the reason I found it confusing is because I haven't watched the film, I don't know.
But once you understand what is going on, it really is very good. Each character is trying to get by in this dog-eat-dog world. Focussing primarily on three boys, each from a different family with its own interests, it does a great job of showing the nuances in their characters, rather than them being one-dimensional evil gangsters. One is the son of a cop who is too weedy to belong in this world, one is, I think, a mafioso who hides his vulnerability with his violent streak. And one is born into a gypsy family. They are all interesting characters, each with their own nuances.
The plot revolves around a small plot of land, and I guess the dark humour behind the premise of the show is how much all these people will do, all the violence, alliances, blackmails and double-cross, just for this one plot of land.