Unni Lindell: Set 1

Why "surprisingly"? Well, I've seen so many Scandanavian mystery series and though I very much enjoy the genre, the idea of a first-rate, "battle-weary" detective who has a dysfunctional family life seemed, at first, to be just another example of a worn-down cliche. There's also a moodiness to the Scandanavian genre that, if not handled well, can weigh down the story in brooding self-reflection. For me, that can get wearisome. Thus, I wasn't expecting too much that was fresh or exciting from this series, but I was wrong. Reidar Sorensen plays his character Cato Isaksen with a deft subtlety that makes him seem real, nuanced, and quite believable. Cato is not a two-dimensional caricature. Though he has left his wife and family for his mistress and their new baby, he's trying to fulfill his obligations to them all. He loves them all and he walks a very taut emotional tightrope. The ensemble cast is very good, as well, and the character development of the major players is well-done. Between the acting and the writing, the viewer comes to accept these characters in their flawed and gifted complexity and feels for them in their individual (and conflicting) struggles. In the first episode, The Snakebearer, this is especially true. There are no absolutes -- the heroes aren't perfect and the villains, while their deeds are indeed terrible, are not entirely bad people, either. It's all muddled. Against the charged backdrop of Cato's personal life, and in this shaded, complicated world, the mystery takes place. The plot lines are tightly drawn and the personal life of Cato is entwined with the disturbing and connected murder cases he's investigating. There's a great deal of tension as the tangled threads get tighter and tighter. As I say, it's compelling drama. Highly recommended, especially if you've enjoyed such series as Varg Veum, Maria Wern, Wallender, etc. A final point -- it is in Norwegian with subtitles. I've found the subtitles to be well done -- they do not distract from the viewing experience.

Just finished watching Series One, three episodes. I agree with most of the first & longest review of these shows stated in July 2014, but have a few cavils. The first is that I can do without the crime/s involving the family of the detective, yet in each episode his family was directly affected by the crime/s committed. I view it as a cheap emotional trick which is as unconvincing as it is manipulative. The second problem is that these detectives aren't very bright. You might say that, well, detectives in general aren't all that smart. Maybe, maybe not. If I wanted to know about police procedure I'd read a nonfiction book. On TV I expect something more, and this lot seem especially plodding. Having said that, overall I'd say that this is in the second tier of Nordic police dramas.

I personally did not care for this series and I am a huge fan of European crime/mysteries. For me it was not very interesting but, again this is my opinion and others have liked it well enough.

We did think it was a well developed story

Far superior to any American created television. Why waste time trying to watch the 'bottom of the barrel' shows American producers force on us, when there's really great foreign television waiting to be viewed!

Usu am a big fan of nordic detectives, but this fell short. Just not interesting, didn't care about the characters. As an aside, why do the men in nordic/irish detective show looks so scruffy, shop worn, as though they need a shave and a bath?

The stories were generally very good and the acting was excellent. Subscripts seemed to be very accurately and fluidly following the dialogue, which is in Norwegian. I think that the plot could have used a little better directing and editing. At times I had some difficulty in determining what had happened.

Excellent in every respect. Consistently engrossing and thoroughly enjoyable. Perfection of the genre. (This applies to Set 1 and Set 2.)

good

long slow burning episodes!

DVDs with embedded subtitles,You can not remove them.