Entrapped

As Episode 1 of "Entrapped" (2022 release from Iceland; 6 episodes ranging from 41 to 54 min each) opens, a rather weird group of meditating pagans is interrupted by a gang of bikers who feel the pagans have stolen their land. Late that night, one of the pagans is brutally murdered. Meanwhile Andri, a recently divorced cop, volunteers to assist in the murder investigation when he realizes that he knows the guy who was killed... At this point we are 10 minutes into Episode 1.

Couple of comments: some 5-6 years ago, there was an excellent Icelandic crime series called "Trapped" that stretched out over 3 seasons and 28 episodes. This new series is a sequel of sorts, with the main returning character being Andri, who based on a technicality is able to join into this new murder. We eventually learn that the murder may well be connected to one of the murders in the "Trapped" series. Unfortunately, as good as "Trapped" was, this new series doesn't come anywhere close in quality. It's not that it's outright bad, but the difference in quality, in particular in the writing, is quite stark. Also the fact that there are only 6 episodes should tell you something. It's like someone said, "hey guys, people are still talking about "Trapped", so we need to come with something, anything, that picks ups the pieces and gets this going again". "Entrapped" ultimately feels unnecessary but with just 6 episodes, it all goes by rather quickly.

"Entrapped" recently premiered on Netflix, and I couldn't wait to check it out. While it wasn't a complete waste of my time, I neverthele4ss feel like it was a letdown as compared to the original "Trapped" series. Of course don't take my word for it, so I encourage you to check it out, and draw your own conclusion.

Summary:

Entrapped (it is actually season 3 of Trapped) continues to expose the foreign as a threat to island peace and family conflicts as axes of the behavior of its characters, although without the almost Bergmanian depth of season 2. A more conventional crime series , but with all the ingredients to retain the viewer and always with the spectacular and decisive setting of the Icelandic landscape.

Review:

The murder of a young member of a neopagan sect coincides with the arrival in the Icelandic town of Siglufiörður of a gang of bikers willing to dispute the lands occupied by the sect.

The series (effectively a season 3 of Trapped, renamed Entrapped) finds Hinrika (Ilmur Kristjánsdóttir) as the new police chief of the northern Icelandic town and Andri (Ólafur Darri Ólafsson) and Trausti (Björn Hlynur Haraldsson) serving as in Reykjavik. The murder case will intersect with others, one of them related to the suspected bikers, which will generate tensions, interference and dilemmas in the respective investigations.

Entrapped recovers in this season a narrative that is generally simpler (although sometimes it is a bit difficult to retain the names of the characters), mostly linear, far from the almost Bergmanian depth and complexity of season 2, but mostly effective. Family conflicts always appear as underlying and in general determinants of the plot and foreign characters as disturbing elements of the island's peace. Although the series (quite short and with chapters of around 40 minutes) continues to take its time, the story knows how to change the rhythm with several scenes of suspense and action, always with the wonderful Icelandic landscape as the determining setting.

Well, it should be Trapped and Season 3, but someone somewhere decided that "a new start" would attract fresh audience? The number of episodes is also smaller (6 vs. 8), but on the ground of the story here, it could have been easily 5... Everything is slower, the star Ólafur Darri Ólafsson spends less time on screen, and the inclusion of otherwise great Danish actor Thomas Bo Larsen did not provide much value, as his character has a few dimensions only... The beautiful nature of Iceland is yet visible, but the distress and dreariness are more or less gone or in the far background.

Still 7 points from me as I was unable to surmise the wrongdoer and the reasons behind the crime was a nice twist.

Not as good as the first 2 seasons (Trapped - not sure why Netflix changed the name for season 3?).

There were some ridiculous moments in this season. I don't want to say any spoilers but it was kinda silly at times. Still enjoyable to watch though.

The acting was good. I don't understand why women fawn over the main character.

I'm glad it was only 6 episodes, I heard it was originally 8 so I'm glad it was cut to 6.

The ending of this season was stupid...very unbelievable.

Not sure if there will be a 4th season, but if there is I'd still watch it. Like I said, it was enjoyable and I like the scenery and acting. It wasn't predictable which is also good.

"Trapped" was a pleasant surprise: A taut, emotionally-driven series with tight plots and engrossing environments. Sure, it was slow in parts but still amazing that a country of 400K residents can come up with something that blows much of Netflix programming away.

Saying that, this series lacks some of the tight scripting of "Trapped." Too often my mind wandered when it should have been glued to the TV. There just too much superfluous stuff, too many soap opera moments that the previous series avoided.

Still, it's an admirable show. I stayed with it and felt fully engaged with the characters. Perhaps a little too much at times as I would lose my place in the story. Thankfully, the ending neither disappoints nor insults the audience. Respect.