Trom

TROM is a nordic noir just like several other Scandinavian crime stories that have come out. Set on the Faroe Islands (Føroyar), the story involves idealistic activism and dubious corporate actions that has roots to official parts of the country.

The setting is beautiful, with absolutely stunning fly-overs of fjords, green rocks, sheep, tiny houses and crashing waves. Not much mentioned that there are any cities larger than 2 houses.

The characters all seem like the type of people you will find at the west coast of Denmark: rough fisher-men types, with a forever depressed look. No smiles to see here.

What bothers me the most about this series is that Faroese and Danish is mixed at random. The Danes speak Danish, Faroese speak Faroese - and they always understand each other completely. This is far from the reality. Such language mix can be shown between Sweden and Denmark, or maybe Norway / Denmark. But no Dane will randomly understand Faroese - and if they do, they'll also be able to speak it. As a native Dane, it becomes annoying to take such freedoms. Like when someone in a show is interviewing a random person (ex: arabix), asks questions in English, and is responded in Arab. Interpreters obviously cut away.

Quit watching after end of episode 2 where a serious technical plot hole was needed to make the story continue.

For this reason, 3 stars gone.

Scandi-noir has become fairly ubiquitous across the English speaking world in recent years: we've seen dramas set in Sweden, Denmark, Norway and Iceland, and now, 'Trom' visits perhaps the most remarkable Scandinavian landscape of them all, the Faroe Islands. And it's not a bad drama either, albeit not an especially radical one, with its story of political activism, a dodgy businesman, police politcs and strained family ties. What'a a bit odd, however, is that series one feels more like half a series: it ends, not only with a cliff-hanger, but all the wider whys still not cleaned up. A second series is merited; and will hopefully manage to complete the story.

Sadly, the early episodes offered nothing new in the world of Nordic Noir and at times, the drama moved along soporifically, harboring only a modicum of intrigue and suspense.

Thankfully, my lasting impression was improved by the beautiful Faroese scenery and an energetic and well constructed final episode. Yet there is no mistaking that the production was, on the whole, too derivative and a little bland.

Were the makers' unresolved cliffhangers potent enough to make me watch a second season? I'm undecided. - 7.5/10.

The scenery is breathtaking for the most part. The plot is lame & has been done many times over - big man who controls too much, a police officer who is economical with the truth & has a son to protect & investigative journalists, one of whom gets killed etc etc. Plot is probably worth 5/10 maybe, local actors 5.5, main cast saves acting overall, so 6.5 - 7/10. Ending sets up for season 2 if it gets made.

Perfectly decent Scandi detective series set against a stunning backdrop in the Faroes but turns into a very formulaic type of a show . The characters and their relationships begin to develop but never really get there and it is only through their on screen actions that you really get to know them as people . It is in no sense a slow-burner and except for one very well signposted twist ( slight turn ) the plot has few surprises . The Faroes' fishing traditions are skirted around and touched upon but then just peters out . I have to admit that I took huge exception to the trite , predictable and poorly done finale ! If ever an ending was written with a second series in mind then this was it and I would not be rushing to commission said second series.