SERIES REVIEW – Netflix’s record-breaking limited series The Queen’s Gambit proved that audiences enjoy conclusive TV shows, and The Law According to Lidia Poët follows suit. Starring Matilda De Angelis as Lidia Poët, the show offers charm and charisma akin to Anya Taylor-Joy’s performance as Beth Harmon.

Lidia Poët is recognized as Italy’s first female lawyer and was met with national debate when she first began practicing law. The Netflix series takes this historical figure and builds episodic mysteries around her fight to be taken seriously in a profession dominated by men.

Based on a true story, the show confirms the resistance Lidia Poët faced in the first episode. The opening scenes, featuring a steamy sex scene, serve to emphasize Lidia’s persona as a strong, charismatic and sensual woman, who is not afraid to live her life the way she wants it. Her commitment to her career during a period of oppression is also an important. The show portrays Lidia as ahead of her time in working in legal services as a woman.

The Law According to Lidia Poët” combines the best elements of “Enola Holmes” and “The Queen’s Gambit” while maintaining its unique Italian flair. The show presents a mature version of Enola’s spunkiness, blended with the themes of empowerment and ambition from “The Queen’s Gambit.” Additionally, the inclusion of steamy and sensual Italian scenes adds a distinct flavor to the show.

When being a female lawyer was impossible

The Law According to Lidia Poët blends the genre of crime series with period piece, as each episode features a criminal case to be solved by Lidia and her brother Enrico. The cases often involve people close to them, adding a personal dimension to the stories. While the crimes to be solved are not particularly complex, they still provide an entertaining aspect to the show’s narrative.

The crux of the series lies in Lidia’s struggles to pursue her career ambitions in a period where women were not considered viable for professional careers. The narrative follows her attempts to overturn the decision that forbids her from practicing law.

Matilda De Angelis’s performance as Lidia is the highlight of the show. She brings a quick wit, fierceness, and determination to the role, making it easy to sympathize with her character’s struggles during a time when women were not deemed suitable for professional careers.

Lidia Poët is a real historical figure, and the debates that ensued about the worthiness of women practicing law are a good way to tie the episodes together and make the show more than just a case-of-the-episode. However, the show fails to fully develop Lidia’s character beyond being a liberated woman in late 19th-century Turin.

Great actors in authentic costumes

The costumes in the series were a standout feature, accurately depicting the fashion of the time period. From Lidia’s stylish dresses to the formal attire of the male characters, the costumes added a layer of authenticity to the show’s setting. Overall, the production values were high, with attention paid to even the smallest details in the sets and props. This added to the immersive experience of the series and made it a joy to watch.

The Law According to Lidia Poët boasts an impressive ensemble cast that truly brings the characters to life. Besides Matilda De Angelis as Lidia, Pierluigi Pasino stands out in particular, delivering a standout performance as Lidia’s brother, Enrico. Pasino portrays the character’s eccentricities and vanity with aplomb, while still conveying a deep love and loyalty to his sister. Combined with the wonderful costumes and overall high production values, the acting truly elevates the series to the next level.

A strong portrayal

Despite the occasional uneven mysteries that Lidia solves in each episode, De Angelis’s strong and smart portrayal of Lidia, and her determination to bust through the misogyny of the legal system, makes the show entertaining and enjoyable to watch.

The Law According to Lidia Poët is a gem of a show with brilliant costumes, settings, and superb acting by the cast. The limited six-episode series feels too short, and the modern rock and dance beats in the show’s soundtrack are not intrusive. Like The Queen’s Gambit, viewers will be left wanting more.

The Law According to Lidia Poët is a sweet and addictive limited series based on the true story of Italy’s first female lawyer, Lidia Poët. Starring Matilda De Angelis, the show highlights Lidia’s struggles to be taken seriously in a male-dominated profession during a time when women were not considered suitable for professional careers. Despite occasional uneven mysteries, De Angelis’s strong portrayal of Lidia makes the show enjoyable to watch. The show’s brilliant costumes, settings, and superb acting by the cast make it a gem of a show, leaving viewers wanting more.

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