Twin

Compelling story, great acting and beautiful nordic landscapes. I binge watched the series in one go, that good it was!

The problem with crime related drama these days is that as soon as one becomes hooked into a fascinating crime one discovers you must also subscribe to the intense personal dramas of the detectives. Really you are getting two dramas in one. Then there are shows like Missing (2014) and Twin, where the crime is really only the catalyst to the personal drama. To me, this is more believable than current all out catch-a-killer dramas. Twin is easily one of the best new shows of crime inspired personal drama tv shows. The story is full of edge and tense situations, with the two leads proving their competence. This is a brilliantly cast drama. The children are also interesting, a rebellious teen and an adopted toddler. Imagine a poor bachelor thrown into that! This show is a whole new level of keeping secrets. Indeed, if I have a criticism is that there are too many secrets. Set in idyllic fjords, with interesting indie songs here and there, and quite a few action sequences, not least to mention a dedicated surfing culture in what must be the coldest surf spot on the planet, Twin has everything you need for an all night binge.

Twin boys went separate life ways without seen each other for long When their paths cross again a tragedy occurs, and a deadly secret and lives hanging by a thread

Erik and Adam are identical twins living in the north of Norway; they have become somewhat estranged as Adam, who works and is married with two children, sees Erik, who lives in a beat-up camper van and spends his time surfing, as a bit of a wastrel. One day Erik crashes his camper into the fjord and seeks financial help from Adam... this leads to a fight which ends when Adam's wife, Ingrid, hits him with a plank. They think he is dead so take the body away on a boat; it is lost in a storm... when it is found the police think it must be Erik. Now Erik and Ingrid try to pretend that he is Adam. Will he be able to convince people that knew him well that he is really his brother?

It must be said this series does require one to suspend ones disbelief somewhat; Erik and Adam may both be played by the excellent Kristofer Hivju but it is hard to believe that nobody would suspect they are talking to the other twin; even his daughter and close friends. That said if you can get past that the series is a lot of fun. There are moments of dark comedy and good dramatic tension. The cast does a fine job and the spectacular scenery certainly adds to the enjoyment of the show.

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

This is one of those series that lacks a great publicity machine and hype, but which nonetheless delivers. The acting is mostly excellent: Kristofer Hivju is brilliant as Adam and Eric; I thought that Rebekka Nystabakk had aan uncertain start, but grew into the role. The plot is somewhat unlikely, but once you buy into it, you realise that they did what seemed to be the best way out and the story shows us - rather compellingly - what that does to the characters and to the children. The scenery is spectacular and adds a real power to the story: I wonder how much the local Tourist Board subsidised the production... Anyway, well worth a watch.