Tore

This series stands as a testament to the power of visual storytelling, seamlessly weaving together a potent soundtrack and exceptional cinematography with performances that pierce the veneer of mere acting. It plunges the viewer into the turbulent odyssey of Tore, whose journey is not one for the faint of heart. The narrative doesn't shy away from the gritty realities of a life unraveling at the seams, capturing the essence of a coming-of-age story that eschews the trappings of cliché, providing an unflinching look at the consequences of an intensely traumatic event. It astutely challenges the viewer's suspension of disbelief, positing that the human psyche can indeed spiral from sobriety into the depths of substance abuse under the weight of profound distress. Adding to its authenticity, the series features the iconic Patricia-a real-life Stockholm club that lends a raw and pulsating backdrop to Tore's descent. Compact in its storytelling, the series offers a concise narrative that can be devoured in a single evening, marking it as a piece of television that not only entertains but lingers, prompting introspection long after the screen fades to black.

Lots of newer movies and series about a central character being homosexual have got it so wrong because they use the protagonists sexuality and/or how they're perceived and treated because of it as the main challenge to overcome. Here the main character just happens to be homosexual and the angst and personal issues have almost nothing to do with that. This refreshing perspective on a flawed character who just happens to be gay is exciting to watch and the story grips you from episode one until the release in the final moments of the last episode. The performers are top notch and especially by the actor who plays protagonist who also happens to be the writer and you can't help but wonder how personal the story is to them. Every character is relatable and situations move from the deeply tragic to comic with such ease and deftness one has to credit the director/s and the technical team for bringing that to the screen. Bravo! Ten stars!!!

There's actually a writer left with an imagination. I didn't know what to expect when I decided to Netflix's new LGBT arrival watch. I was actually quite skeptical going in because I've been there done that everything is the same. My expectations for season 7 of Elite was pure excitement as if I was about to turn twenty one again and as it turned out it's the new fifty lol. But I digress this isn't about Elite. Tore is definitely a fresh look at the gay romance dark dramedy. Think Six Feet Under meets Heathers and you'll find yourself enjoying this one. My only complaint is that it's season one newly released so when it's over it's over. At least it is for a long time if we do get a season two.

I found the series very entertaining. These type of series are becoming more and more popular in Scandinavia - the combination of humor and drama, the complex characters, the realistic yet unrealistic struggles - and I love it.

The music score is good, the characters are complex, and the manuscript is original. I loved it, and really hope there will be an another season.

As for the actors - they did an outstanding job. I mean, all of them! First of all, William Spetz portrays this grieving, dorky, exploring character in such a good way. His girlfriend, Linn, made me laugh loudly multiple times (I loved her character), and Erik, Heidi, Tore's colleagues, Viggo, shady & Lo, and even Linn's son were great. And by great, I mean this is how Scandinacians appear, speak and act realistically (myself included). Will probably watch the whole series again sometime.

I think the only reason I got through this was because the episodes were each just thirty minutes long. Even so, this story about a twenty seven year old gay virgin didn't convince.

OK it's billed as a comedy but also a drama and the dramatic bits aren't feasible. Falling out of a window and lying outside in the snow all night results in death not a black eye. Nutting a concrete pillar hard causes worse injuries to a person than a mere trickle of blood.

As for the love interest, what hot-blooded guy on a mission to have his first time would choose boring, older Erik over exciting, horny, hot Viggo?

The actor playing Tore, who also wrote the script, looks about 18 and acts it too. His IMDB bio says his height is five foot eleven. If that's true, Viggo and Erik must be giants - they both tower over him.

As for the trippy flights of fancy, I also, like Heidi, didn't waste the 60s! These sequences have nothing to do with the effects of Tore's "tea"; they are a bad imagining of the effects that have nothing to do with reality.

The final episode was just cringe making and impossible to believe, both the section in the club and later in Uppsala.

I know that William Spetz is well regarded in Sweden but he must have been having an off day when he wrote this.