End of Summer

I recently binge-watched the first four episodes of End of Summer (Slutet på sommaren) when they were released and now I binge-watched the last 2 , couldn't stop until I finished them.

What truly sets End of Summer apart is its ability to weave together a gripping thriller with a deeply emotional narrative. It's not just about uncovering what happened-it's about exploring grief, guilt, and the long-lasting effects of unresolved trauma. The story doesn't shy away from raw emotions, making the stakes feel incredibly personal.

The acting in End of Summer is nothing short of phenomenal. The entire cast brings a level of authenticity and emotional depth that elevates the series to another level. Vera, portrayed with remarkable nuance, is a character who draws you in with her determination and vulnerability as she unravels the mystery. Her performance anchors the series, making every twist and revelation feel personal and impactful.

The supporting cast is equally impressive, each actor delivering layered and compelling performances. From the subtle expressions that hint at hidden secrets to the moments of raw emotion, the cast captures the complex dynamics of family, grief, and guilt with finesse. Their chemistry and the interplay between characters create an immersive and emotionally resonant experience.

The direction is top-notch, balancing moments of intense suspense with heartfelt drama. The pacing is perfectly executed, unraveling the mystery in a way that keeps you guessing without feeling rushed or overly complicated. Every scene feels purposeful, building toward a satisfying and unexpected resolution.

The series masterfully transitions between two eras , capturing the fashion, atmosphere, and cultural nuances of both eras perfectly. The small details, like the lighting, music, and set design, immerse you in the timeline shifts without feeling forced or exaggerated.

Overall, End of Summer is a beautifully crafted series that delivers on every level. It's intelligent, suspenseful, and emotionally resonant-a must-watch for fans of character-driven mysteries.

I really enjoyed this. But that's not to say that I found it full of credibility. That a disbarred professional fighting to get her job back would do what Vera does is a step too far, especially in front of witnesses.

That apart, I enjoyed the present day and flashback format of the series. The person playing young Vera was excellent too.

The actor playing the putative adult Billy was less convincing although I'm going to put this down to bad directing. From episode five onwards, he'd obviously been told to look menacing and he did this by baring his teeth when smiling. It didn't work.

I didn't guess what had happened to Billy but I had realised what Tommy's fate was and who the perpetrator must have been.

In a highly regulated state like Sweden, it seemed odd to me how people's identities couldn't be established. Even odder, why not demand a DNA test immediately instead of acting on supposition and intuition?

I'm glad I saw this and it filled a few hours. It made my brain work and surprised me too.

Recommended.

It is a six-episode Swedish drama that tells a mysterious and emotional story. It begins in 1984 when young Vera sees her mother die by suicide. Years later, Vera is a grief counsellor still haunted by her past. A man named Isak visits her and talks about his adoption and the disappearance of a friend from childhood. Vera starts to wonder if Isak could actually be her missing brother, Billy. She returns to her hometown with him to try and uncover the truth.

The story switches between the present and the past, and this format works really well. The young actress playing Vera in flashbacks is excellent. Julia Ragnarsson, who plays adult Vera, also gives a strong and believable performance. The mystery unfolds slowly, with many twists and surprises. True, one might still guess parts of the ending, but the truth was revealed in a smart and satisfying way.

There are still some flaws: some parts, like how easily people access the investigation or how slow they are to use DNA tests, seem unrealistic-especially in a country like Sweden. A couple of characters feel overplayed or unnecessary. Also, the main character's career choice feels a bit forced. But once the story gets going, it becomes more gripping and emotional.

The show's atmosphere is beautiful, especially the flashback scenes of 1980s summer. It doesn't waste time with side plots or modern "woke" themes. It sticks to the mystery, which makes it more focused and enjoyable.

Overall, this Series is a well-acted, well-written Nordic thriller. It has heart, mystery, and beautiful visuals. If you enjoy Scandinavian crime dramas, this is worth watching - particularly if you have already watched the "classics" starting from The Killing and The Bridge... 😊

Intially promising, good plot and well known actors. But unfortunately this production failed miserably. What exactly is wrong you might ask? It's a combination of several factors according to my opinion Firstly the character build up is not done right. The story it self is either unfolding too fast or too slow. The different scenes dont follow each other in a smooth way. They are kind of disconnected. Some of the supporting scenes that should tell a story behind each character are sometimes unnecessary or don't really make sense to the audience.

Main thing lacking is that this show fails in building up a suspense. I quickly became uninterested in what happens and didn't know what or who I was rooting for.

The acting is overall good, so is the script and how it's executed.

My guess to why it fails is the pre planning of this production, what scenes to shoot to tell the story and how to build suspense. Could the team be more used to typical drama and not crime/who dunit?

Swedish with English subtitles on BBC4.

6 Episodes, just the right amount.

Refreshingly, no Woke storylines or references.

I enjoyed this drama. It kept to the main storyline with no padding subplots.

Yes, there were some flaws, but most dramas suffer in the same way these days.

The one criticism is the overplaying of Harald's character. It was made quite evident throughout that he was complicit in some way, and the way he was allowed to have access to the police investigation and most other things was irritating.

There were no real surprises at the end. My wife and I had worked out after episode three roughly what happened to Billy and Tommy.

Another drama where justice is not seen to be done and lone females going into derelict buildings.

Spookily, Julia Ragnarsson (Vera) is a dead ringer for somebody we know. It was uncanny.

Ida Gyllensten (Magdalena) looks a lot like UK actress Anna Friel. They could easily play sisters.