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.

This is another take on having scenery as a main 'character' of the storytelling instead of the actual crimes and cases. The only outstanding acting came from the junior female officer who seemed to be the only one who did the actual investigating using her brain. The other characters were fairly unrealistic and disappointing in their roles here. The writing wasn't really up to the level of some other Scandinavian shows of the recent past. Most off-putting for me is the fact that the Faroe Islands still hunt whales. There was no indication this is a necessary activity for keeping people alive or employed, so I put it in the 'propaganda' category. The most interesting aspect was that many buildings have grass roofs and that there are anti-whaling protests going on. But this series is just too thin to sustain much loyalty for another season.

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.

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.

As this six part series opens Sonya, a young mother, is talking to a man on the phone; from what they say it is clear that they feel threatened by powerful individuals. The man is in a car and realises it isn't responding properly... it causes him to crash. Later we cut to an older man who is returning to the islands after years away. He is reporter Hannis Martinsson. He receives a video message from Sonya; without going into details she asks if he can help her as she feels unsafe and doesn't trust the authorities... she also claims to be the daughter he never knew he had! They never get to meet as she turns up dead in the middle of a whale hunt before the end of the first episode. He sets about trying to find out what happened to her and what she was involved with.

I thought this was a solid mystery series. It got off to a good start that meant by the end of the opening episode we were not only wondering who the killer was but also just what was she investigating and whether certain protagonists, notably the police, can be trusted. At only six episodes the story doesn't over stay its welcome although some questions remain unanswered meaning a second season is hoped for. The cast is solid, especially considering the small pool of actors I image there to be on the Faroes, but it is the dramatic local scenery that dominates every outdoor scene. Overall I'd say this isn't the best Nordic mystery series but it is still well worth watching; especially, if like me, you like watching films and series set somewhere different.

These comments are based on watching the series in Faroese with English subtitles.