Trom

This is another take on having scenery as a main 'character' of the storytelling instead of the actual crimes and cases. The only outstanding acting came from the junior female officer who seemed to be the only one who did the actual investigating using her brain. The other characters were fairly unrealistic and disappointing in their roles here. The writing wasn't really up to the level of some other Scandinavian shows of the recent past. Most off-putting for me is the fact that the Faroe Islands still hunt whales. There was no indication this is a necessary activity for keeping people alive or employed, so I put it in the 'propaganda' category. The most interesting aspect was that many buildings have grass roofs and that there are anti-whaling protests going on. But this series is just too thin to sustain much loyalty for another season.

Scandi-noir has become fairly ubiquitous across the English speaking world in recent years: we've seen dramas set in Sweden, Denmark, Norway and Iceland, and now, 'Trom' visits perhaps the most remarkable Scandinavian landscape of them all, the Faroe Islands. And it's not a bad drama either, albeit not an especially radical one, with its story of political activism, a dodgy businesman, police politcs and strained family ties. What'a a bit odd, however, is that series one feels more like half a series: it ends, not only with a cliff-hanger, but all the wider whys still not cleaned up. A second series is merited; and will hopefully manage to complete the story.

As this six part series opens Sonya, a young mother, is talking to a man on the phone; from what they say it is clear that they feel threatened by powerful individuals. The man is in a car and realises it isn't responding properly... it causes him to crash. Later we cut to an older man who is returning to the islands after years away. He is reporter Hannis Martinsson. He receives a video message from Sonya; without going into details she asks if he can help her as she feels unsafe and doesn't trust the authorities... she also claims to be the daughter he never knew he had! They never get to meet as she turns up dead in the middle of a whale hunt before the end of the first episode. He sets about trying to find out what happened to her and what she was involved with.

I thought this was a solid mystery series. It got off to a good start that meant by the end of the opening episode we were not only wondering who the killer was but also just what was she investigating and whether certain protagonists, notably the police, can be trusted. At only six episodes the story doesn't over stay its welcome although some questions remain unanswered meaning a second season is hoped for. The cast is solid, especially considering the small pool of actors I image there to be on the Faroes, but it is the dramatic local scenery that dominates every outdoor scene. Overall I'd say this isn't the best Nordic mystery series but it is still well worth watching; especially, if like me, you like watching films and series set somewhere different.

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

Perfectly decent Scandi detective series set against a stunning backdrop in the Faroes but turns into a very formulaic type of a show . The characters and their relationships begin to develop but never really get there and it is only through their on screen actions that you really get to know them as people . It is in no sense a slow-burner and except for one very well signposted twist ( slight turn ) the plot has few surprises . The Faroes' fishing traditions are skirted around and touched upon but then just peters out . I have to admit that I took huge exception to the trite , predictable and poorly done finale ! If ever an ending was written with a second series in mind then this was it and I would not be rushing to commission said second series.

Sadly, the early episodes offered nothing new in the world of Nordic Noir and at times, the drama moved along soporifically, harboring only a modicum of intrigue and suspense.

Thankfully, my lasting impression was improved by the beautiful Faroese scenery and an energetic and well constructed final episode. Yet there is no mistaking that the production was, on the whole, too derivative and a little bland.

Were the makers' unresolved cliffhangers potent enough to make me watch a second season? I'm undecided. - 7.5/10.