Where's Wanda?

Honestly, this is a great programme; if you're on the fence due to the low rating, don't let that deter you & just give it a go.

I personally find the programme engaging, funny & different to what is usually churned out from the Brits & Americans - yes, you may have to read the subtitles but after a while, you don't even realise you're doing it!

I'm a huge fan of Nordic TV series' such as Trapped, so that helps and I'd say that this is 'up there' with the best of them.

I would definitely recommend watching Where's Wanda for a new, fresh and funny series that keeps me wanting more. Genuinely don't understand the low ratings!

Review of Where's Wanda?

After reading a favorable review of "Where's Wanda? In the NYT, I decided to check out this series. I'm a struggling language student looking for a respite from the drudgery of studying basic German. "Where's Wanda?" turned out to be perfect. The series, about the bumbling efforts of the suburban Klatt family to find their kidnapped daughter is funny and engaging.

Although the dialog is very simple, it is still way above my A2 German level. Dual language subtitles aren't available on Apple TV (as they are for Netflix), so there are many steps I must take to slow down the playback, capture screenshots and translate the dialog. I wouldn't go to this effort for most of the German language series appropriate for my level.

Even if you aren't a language student, this sweet, goofy dramedy is a gem. The cast of characters includes Carlotta and Dedo, the endearingly inept parents; Ole, their über-capable and nerdy deaf son; and of course, Wanda, their eye-rolling, smart-mouthed daughter. And what's not to love about a town that holds an annual festival in honor of its very own mythical evil hairy monster, the Nuppelwochen?

Many scenes are improbably silly: After Dedo detaches a (presumably) venomous snake from Carlotta's leg, he is told he cannot not let it go-the snake must go along to the ER for proper identification. As the couple drives to the hospital, an arm hangs out of the car window, grasping a brightly colored serpent. The Klatts come up with one hopelessly misguided scheme after another...but their hearts are in the right place, so we hope for the best for them.

Where's Wanda? Is an 8 episode dark comedy series which sees Parent's Dedo and Carlotta take matters into their own hands to search for their missing 17 year old daughter, Wanda. After bugging most of their small town they get much more than they bargained for. Each episode is like a new chapter in a book, focusing on a new family which sheds light on the town, the individuals or Wanda. It's a fun box of mysteries. We often jump between the day Wanda went missing and the present day with new information filling in blanks and helping us to see situations from different vantage points.

The show is self-aware and check ins with several themes including relationships, sexuality, loss, friendships, loneliness and comes with several pop culture references not to mention some enjoyable narration from Wanda herself. Where's Wanda? Is carried by its fun nature and many quirky characters including Carlotta who is the strong head of the family, Dedo who is the happy go lucky husband and Ms Rauch who grounds the show as a no nonsense detective.

Ep7 compares an interesting criminal case to a good novel where you need a strong story, loads of characters and interconnected plots that are brought together in a satisfactory manner. For the most part, Where's Wanda? Manages to bring its plot together. Whilst there are a couple of questionable script choices and a few leaps in believability overall Where's Wanda? Is an easy to watch, fun, enjoyable and gripping comedic mystery that ticks many boxes.

Although it had a weird and for my taste slow start, the show got better, deeper and more intriguing along the way. I liked the combination of dark humor and an unfolding mystery that at times is best described as a tragedy. However, the beautifully written and portrait characters give it an uplifting vibe which is gripping. I felt touched and connected with Wanda's Family at any point along the way despite the many questionable actions that were taken. After the first two episodes I didn't really want to like it and then I ended up binge watching it, writing this review with a big smile on my face.

I guess the overall score is not representative for this fantastic, heartfelt dark comedy, you literally can't dub German humor. It's like with Korean shows such as Squid Game, you watch it in the original language with subtitles or you don't watch it at all. Axel Stein is in the business since he is a little boy, he was always sarcastic, the reason why he is still in business is because he is somewhat unique with the way he uses his voice, this will get lost in translation no matter how good the actor on the other side of the microphone is. It's a cute comedy series, with a heartfelt topic, where two average people are crossing lines into a world they never thought they would cross in order to find their missing daughter. Give it a chance, it's quite funny.