Netflix: “Fauda” Season 4, Israeli TV show starring Lior Raz

Attention, “Fauda” fans: Season 4 (Netflix) is somewhat of a departure from what’s gone down before. Sure it’s violent but it’s far more emotionally complex this time around. Message seems to be that war is hell—even for those not directly involved.

Season 4 takes us to Belgium, Ramla, Lebanon and Jenin in the Palestinian Authority. First is Brussels: Gabi (Itzhak Cohen), the head of GSS (the Israeli Security Agency) has plucked Doron (Lior Raz) out of retirement to assist on a security mission there. In the process, Gabi is kidnapped, held hostage, and tortured by Omar (Amir Boutrous), a Lebanese source Gabi trusted but who has betrayed him. Omar now allies himself with Hezbollah, led by his fanatical cousin Adel Tawalbe (Loai Nofi).

Meanwhile, Maya (Lucy Ayoub), Omar’s sister and a respected member of the Israeli police force, is conflicted. She is secretly texted by Omar who is being hunted down by Israel and who needs her help. Further complicating the issue is the fact she is married to an Israeli policeman.

No surprises initially in Season 4: Doron is still the Tom Cruise “Maverick” character, a warrior who takes orders from no one, least of all Raphael (Oded Leopold), deputy chief of the Mossad. None of Doron’s right-hand men play by the rules, either. They include Eli (Yaakov Zara-Daniel), Steve (Doron Ben-David) and Sagi (Idan Amedi) as well as a sexy, fiery right-hand woman, Shani Russo (Inbar Lavi).

So what’s new? The softer, more personal side of this crew comes out in Season 4. Sagi marries his fellow agent Nurit (Rona-Lee Shimon); together, they wonder if their high-alert work life is consistent with family life. Eli and Steve face similar conflicts with their significant others.

And the complexity part? The season also shows plenty of suffering by the Arab families of these terrorists. Are there ever “good people on both sides” in an Israeli-Arab conflict? Fauda makes an eloquent case for it.

In short, Fauda Season 4 is heavy on the violence but also on the tenderness. Be kind to your stomach because you will be clenching it every minute. Still, I can’t wait for Season 5.