Black Sands

If this had been done in four or even six episodes, it would have been twice as good. As it was, a reasonably good mystery just dragged and dragged over eight slow motion episodes. The cast was mainly good, though the script had the main character behaving in an overly unlikely and unprofessional way a little too often. So, not bad...but could have been a lot better.

This is a review based on whole first season watched.

There are times I can't comprehend the scores some shows get. This is one of the most extreme examples of such. It's an excellent crime drama and I can't help thinking that many of the reviewers either didn't watch the entire series or they did with music on and scrolling their phones.

It is a subtle show, it doesn't lead you by your hand, it doesn't tell you nor spell you things, it shows you and you need to spot it, see it and feel it.

It is a slow burner, but than again I never liked, like, "fast burners"(what is that anyway?) nor respected them much. Introduction is well paced, characters are (much) more than it meets the eye. It's a great whodunnit, but even more story of loss and deamons you can't escape no matter how hard you try.

Beautifully brutal and minimalistic Icelandic scenery contributes to a tense atmosphere where you permanently feel there is something wrong, but it's never actually revealed to you. Until brutal, strong, emotional ending.

Don't neglect music score which accompanies great acting performances overall.

Recommend it highly.

Svörtu Sandar (Black Sands) is one of the Nordic Noir series that takes place in Iceland, like Trapped, Katla, and Valhalla Murders. I can assure you that if you are into the Nordic Noir genre and if you love the great Icelandic landscape, you will love the first season. Nevertheless, I cannot say the very same for the second season because it is very depressing and it makes you feel really bad in particularly because of abuse and suicidal scenes. For that reason, I recommend everyone to watch only the first season to chase the mysterious killer and skip the second season. In total, I still give 8 out of 10 for this series because of the awesome first season!

I'm glad the recaps at the beginning of each episode of Season Two were so detailed. I'd seen Season One when it came out and could barely remember it. I think that anyone coming fresh to Season Two would have problems; I did despite being vaguely familiar with the plot.

So the first couple of episodes were a bit of an effort to wade through. I didn't really know precisely what was happening nor to whom. After that, however, I got far more immersed into the action and contrivances that led the local cops a merry dance. I didn't guess who the actual murderer was although I should have.

One aspect that was really well handled was the portrayal of postnatal depression. It didn't impinge on the crimes but every police procedural needs a back story.

I've reread this and moved the mark down to a five from a six. I would neither advise people to watch nor not to.

Ignore the negative reviews and watch it for yourself. I did and was rewarded with a rich viewing experience and a show i could hardly "put down".

There is something to be said about shows that go at a glacial pace for a reason without being boring. It's this "slowness" that allows you to fully absorb what is happening on screen because there is nothing that feels like a filler and every element adds something.

Granted, i was initially sceptical and didn't gel with the main protagonist but that didn't last long. But best of all, the show didn't feel too formulaic like some other Nordic noir series.

Funny some reviewers say there were too many episodes. I got to ep 7 and couldn't believe there was only one left.

Brilliant, black and bleak like the Icelanders (and Nordics) do best.