Meh, they've always been somewhat farcical, in the tradition of Commedia dell Arte. Generally enjoyable, but best taken with a large pinch of salt. We watch because we like Sicily, and they certainly have a sense of place. The books, however, are so verbose - in the Italian style - as to be almost unreadable.
OT - it's such a shame that the BBC TV adaptation of Michael Dibdin's Aurelio Zen novels was so atrocious that only one series was made. And a shame Dibdin died so young too.