North Sea Connection

Irish drama 'North Sea Connection' begins as a light-hearted crime caper. Its story of petty smugglers suddenly caught up in an international crime ring resembles nothing more than Harry Enfield's old sketch 'Heroin Galore'. Even when someone dies fairly early on it's in essentially comic fashion. But over the course of six episodes, it becomes increasingly darker in tone, and is all the better for it. Then ending isn't quite perfect: I don't understand how the storyline with the baby is supposed to work out, and the blackness of the finale is softened by the hint that we're being set up for a second series: if this truly is the end, the emphasis feels misplaced.

I waited to watch the whole series before commentating as, I have been stung before by being negative in regards to a series, without giving it time to develop. This series took time however, the time was worth it.

The storyline is good, it deals with modern themes, and involves cross border police co-operation. A commentator made a point of this, based on nothing. In Ireland, cross border policing has being in place since 1922, and European cross border policing has been in place, since 1923, (Interpol).

The only actor I knew was Sinead Cusack yet, that didn't make any difference to my viewing. In the past number of years, even during Covid; Ireland has burst out onto the International stage with drama series that give a run for the money, against other countries that have been to the forefront, for decades.

I'm Irish therefore, I could be partisan, I'm not. We're world renowned for being funny yet, we couldn't write a sitcom to save our lives. Drama is our forte, and this is the latest in what we can write and produce.

The fact there has been a collaboration with an unexpected country (source) says something. The fact that previous drama series from this little country over the past few years, have now been shown on all continents of the world, shows that we have a punch.

Oh, and some of them have been nominated for International Awards, unheard of before now. That usually is reserved for BBC, ITV, CH4, etc.

The finale is some kicker. I expected a resolution, with loose ends tied up. What an ending.....

This is a six-episode series that leaves most of the story lines open.

I had very much enjoyed it, up until then. I don't know the west of Ireland, but it certainly felt authentic. Though there did seem rather a lot of outsiders.

A series of twists and turns in the plot.

And hardly a spoiler to say that people who get involved in drug smuggling find out that things quickly run out of control.

It was developing nicely. But Episode Six ends with most of the crucial plot-lines still open. I assume a second series is planned, but then have also short-changed their audience.

I reduced my score from 8 to 4, because no one should do that to their audience.

If you have never watched a Scandinavian Nordic Noir crime drama and maybe put off by the subtitles, then I would recommend North Sea Connection as a good place to start as 90% of the dialogue is in English.

Set in a small fishing village on the west coast of Ireland, a Swedish detective teams up with the local Garde officer as she believes drugs are being transported via fishing boats from Sweden to Ireland.

As well as this being the main storyline there are several sub plots along the way. Sinead Cusack is just about convincing as the only female trawler woman in the village, and the rest of the cast all give solid performances. Without spoilers I can safely say there will definitely be a second season! 7/10.

I saw this in the new releases and had no idea what it was about but I was just excited to see something " new" I clicked on it. I almost turned it off about half way thru but since I had nothing in my list I decided to keep going. I watch a lot of Irish films but was only familiar with two of the actors. Acting good except the lead girl was hit or miss. It started getting really interesting the last few episodes and then boom! It ends totally unresolved! Ok! I feel I've written a long enough review 96 characters left! Sheesh! Sometimes I feel they're too long! 33 OMG! Ok! I thought it a decent watch was just disappointed at the unresolved ending!