Liebe und Anarchie

Being Scandinavian everything and everyone has style. Outfits that are supposedly thrown on are meticulous in their colour coordination. The furniture and décor is always tasteful, and everyone has money, even the IT guy sharing a Hispster influenced 'hovel', (yup, lots of bare chip board, just like a trendy Shoreditch café). The sound track is 'cheesy Indie pop' that 15 year olds will love, yet is still a step above the better Eurovision entries.

But once you get past the clichés and the 'Visit Sweden Because We're Cool' tourist ad' this is a smart and witty tragi comedy. There's a sense of self discovery that begins with a dare and snowballs. The characters get fleshed out, even bit players, so that we get to know that everyone deep down is not as happy as they could be.

We're shown that women can like porn too, that the famous Swedish egalitarian attitude to parenting and society isn't all it's made out to be, that some of the men and women can be real selfish a-holes and a barrier to happiness.

I haven't finished, I'm halfway through ep' 7. I'm desperate for the main characters to work it out and find happiness, but it will be messy, people will get hurt.

I am a middle aged man that used to scorn this kind of thing as being too 'fluffy' and for sad, divorced women with a taste for mid day cocktails. I'm glad I'm all grown up now otherwise I would have missed this. I think ep 8 is going to make me cry, just a little, but I hope so.

Although I would probably classify this series as a romantic comedy, it is not what you would typically expect from one. While one of the driving plot themes is the relationship between Sophie and Max, the series examines (at times humorously, and at others dramatically, but always with sensitivity) issues like identity and being true to yourself, mental illness, family, progress and diversity, consumerism, and others. I enjoy so much watching it, ang going from laughter to crying. Another theme that pops up frequently is 'political correctness' which is often examined humorously but no 'sides are taken' so to speak. In my view it addresses relatively deep issues in a smart but fun way, while still having the suspense of a romantic comedy. Plus, I like the documentary-like camera work, I think it fits the show well.

I almost watched the entire series in one day, so so so good. The chemistry between the 2 actors was absolutely crazy! The topic is for sure provocative and sensitive but I really liked the way it was presented.

Recommend it 100%, you get some really nice views of Stockholm and there are some quite funny parts as well.

Loved it!

This had me from the first moment to the ending credits. I binged the whole first season in four hours and loved it! For those on the fence, it reminded me a little of the Netflix dramedy Love written by Judd Apatow. The main actress in that in particular show had similar mannerisms to this female lead ... The Mindy Project would be another show this is slightly similar to, though Mindy was single of course, and a doctor. I just mean the type of comedy. I didn't think the show took itself too seriously.

I thought the casting was great. Could totally see these two flirting with one another at the office ... and beyond. Someone commented they thought the female lead didn't seem like a Mom, but she's only 34/35 so I just figured she settled down early and had the older girl right out of college. Then went back to B school (like her husband said to a friend later in the series). That tracks. Her husband looked way older like in his late 40s so I thought it was interesting that there's a decade between them, and also a decade the other way between her and the IT guy (who we know likes older women because you see him come onto and bone two different 30ish girls in the very beginning of the series).

I was surprised how real it got in the last couple episodes. I'd happily watch a second season of this! I think they left it at a point where the story could continue for sure.

For the Americans reading this: this has lots of sex and full frontal nudity. Didn't bother me one bit, in fact I found it refreshing. Isn't it depressing that here in the States we have no issues with grotesque and glorified violence (Hannibal?), but shriek at the site of a pube. It's bizarre and probably has something to do with all the school mass shootings we have ... the Swedes have a way healthier attitude toward sex.

Acting quality you don't see in American shows. Beautifully written and because of the acting you are carried away with the story. I binged the 2 seasons in two days and loved every minute of it.