Händelser vid vatten

Top reviews. A crime series you just have to watch, I read. Could this live up to expectations?

After watching it, my answer is both yes and no.

No, in the sense that the series is not very exciting after a brutal double murder. A strange investigation starts and we quickly understand that this will take time to be solved. It is a slow crime story. You have to be patient here.

Not bad, but cumbersome and time-consuming.

What I have to admit I liked the most were the incredible characters and environments that are portrayed in this series by some of Sweden's very best actors. The series is about two different eras, and manages to juggle between them well. It is particularly in the era that is about the 70s that I find exciting and interesting. A sect that wants to turn its back on society, small-time criminal villagers, a mysterious Finnish woman appears and more. This is incredibly well described and an insight into a recent past.

In sum, I would therefore recommend the series. But don't expect a crime thriller with lots of action, but a comprehensive story that is carefully uncovered.

The strengths here are the drama and the scenery, but it falls short on tempo and how plot twists are connected to the main storyline and cues. It's not like you would think "Of course! Why did I not think of that? That was clever!" Instead, it is like you watch some drama that you become invested in, but in the end, it does not matter much. So, they could have portrayed almost anything to provide filling time. Based on a book I haven't read, I cannot comment on the adaptation, but I strongly suspect you would not feel the same disconnect reading the book. Ultimately, this mini series feels unsatisfying as a murder mystery series, which unfortunately was my main expectation going in. But, if you just want some slow moving drama spiced with murder mysteries and a 70's collective imagery to go with it (and along with that, contentions on sexual liberty and political themes of the day), this is totally worth watching. And then you might land on a better rating as well.

Rolf Lassgård and Pernilla August bring passion and authenticity to two of many characters in a remote northern Swedish community, haunted by a murder almost 20 years prior. The story takes us on a journey from the 70's to the 90's without any artificial sensations in favour for a realistic tale of individual ordeals to come to terms with the actions of the past to understand the struggles of the present. Pernilla August is supported by her equally talented daughters. Rolf Lassgård demonstrates again that he delights the viewers with his portrail of an every day character who brings about clarity and truth to a tale where intolerence and injustice cripples people and society.

This is one of the best Scandinavian series I have seen in a long time. But don't come expecting a standard Nordic crime series. This is more a crime story in the sense that Hamlet is a crime story. It's about man and nature, time's arrow and existential questions - and the acting is superb. They manage to make something work that usually never works: to have a younger and an older version of most of the characters, since it takes place in 1973 and 1991. Highly recommended if you like Twin Peaks and Top of the Lake - but I would also point to brilliant period recreations like Fanny and Alexander or Dazed and Confused.

As someone who grew up in the 70's ( although not in Sweden ) I like the the sense of the 70's in those parts of the series that play in the 70's. Also the story line ( although slow ) I like. However... the switches between 1973 and 1991 I don't understand when it comes to choice of characters. Characters that are about 30 years old in 1973 are played in 1991 by actors in their end sixties/ seventies. 30+18 is still only 48 to me, so the choice of characters playing the 1991 versions of Annie, the doctor etc are way off, although played well. On the other hand Mia seems to fit in the timeline.

In short... I like the story line by I am not convinced and confused by the timeline.