Page 127 - Metropolis Megazine No.120 International
P. 127
A GAME OF CHARM
SKYSHOWTIME
On the other hand, Nina Pokora One of the most disturbing ele- already been corrupted in advance.
(Julia Pietrucha) does not arri- ments in «Langer» is the way the
ve as a victim but as a potential judicial system becomes an almost The narrative does not impose
threat. She has a past that pushes decorative presence—impotent, moralism, but it is impossible not
her towards Langer and a plan that slow, and frustrated. Karolina to read a clear social critique: tho-
keeps her there, but what begins as Siarkowska (Magdalena Boczar- se who have power escape. Those
a mission turns into a game. The ska) and Olgierd Paderewski (Pio- who have a reputation remain si-
relationship between the two is tr Adamczyk) are neither incom- lent. Langer does not need to flee
never simple. There is seduction, petent nor indifferent, but they the law; he simply circumvents it
yes, but also resistance, mistrust, always seem to arrive late, always with charm, status, and a network
and an uncomfortable mirror in one step behind. Their tardiness is of influence. Karolina Siarkowska,
which both see themselves clearly. not a matter of individual failure however determined she may be,
Without easy drama, Nina reveals but structural failure. The series is constantly held back by legal
herself to be ambiguous, determi- shows us a legal system that knows constraints, political pressure, or
ned, and vulnerable at the same its limits and accepts them, almost sheer lack of evidence. "Langer"
time. In a genre where women of- with resignation. And when the presents justice as a passive cha-
ten exist only to suffer or save, she opponent is someone like Piotr racter, defeated before it even be-
asserts herself as the moral centre Langer, justice seems doomed to gins. This raises an awkward ques-
of gravity, even when everything be nothing more than a formal pre- tion: what does "impunity" mean
around her seems to be sinking. sence in a game whose rules have when it's the norm?
METROPOLIS JULY 2025 127
