Third Season of "Docent" on Czech TV: Big Audience, Few Surprises

Czech television is wrapping up the third season of the popular detective series "Docent" — the story of a university lecturer who helps Prague's criminal police get inside the minds of killers. The show continues to pull in strong ratings, though critics say it hasn't delivered much in the way of fresh storytelling.

The first episode of the new season drew 1.3 million viewers over the age of 15, and the second climbed to more than 1.4 million — a sign not just of curiosity, but of the audience's lasting loyalty to the series.

Who Wrote the Scripts

The scripts for the first two seasons of "Docent" were co-written by Josef Mareš, former head of Prague police's homicide division, and journalist Jan Malinda. For season three, Mareš wrote solo — and, as critics point out, the story hasn't gained any more action or pace as a result.

What Happens to the Characters

The twin brothers, played by Matěj Hádek and Marek Taclík, grow increasingly ironic — sometimes without much reason — and team up ever more closely against investigator Fousová (Tereza Ramba). Fousová herself remains as unpredictable as ever, but for the first time hints that a man might enter her life. She also takes the blame for Colonel Šára's (Ondřej Vetchý) supposed mistake, showing genuine growth in her character. Meanwhile, Docent Stehlík (Ivan Trojan) grows increasingly appreciative of Fousová's professional skills and makes sure his colleagues notice — after all, his character is famous for being able to see right through people.

Yet despite the brutality with which the criminals dispatch their victims this season, nearly all the show's characters remain strikingly pleasant and unruffled.

Inside Jokes and the Final Verdict

The series is packed with in-jokes clearly meant for insiders: the names of two none-too-bright investigators — Jaroslav Malek, nicknamed Jarošek, and Daniel Plesl, nicknamed Daník — are a nod to the newsroom of MF DNES, where former co-screenwriter Jan Malinda once worked under editor-in-chief Jaroslav Plesl and department head Daniel Malek. And on the cover of "Policeman" magazine, which Minister Fous (Jan Hrušinský) is seen reading, there's a photo of series director Jiří Strach.

Critics describe such touches as charming little liberties the writers allow themselves — ones that would be easy to forgive if the plot itself were gripping. But this season's storyline is full of predictable twists. Jan Kučera's score likewise lacks any real dynamism, evoking the mood of 1970s–80s detective shows more than genuine tension — stirring nostalgia in viewers rather than suspense.

The series has been given an overall score of 70%. Reviewers note that "Docent" still outshines the average Czech detective show, but it hasn't turned out to be the true television sensation of the autumn lineup.

Source: novinky.cz