Billionaire Island

Series checks all the boxes of "rich family in charge of large business empire". Messed up family. Rivalry with another similar family. Question on how to react to changes in the world and industry. Outside players trying to muscle in. An event that upends existing situation. Generational shift bringing conflict within family. Backstabbing.

So in that regard it's not terribly original. Succession, Yellowstone.... What makes it different, and appealing, is unusual setting, at least for global audience. We are used to seeing corporate lords living on New York, maybe Los Angeles, leading media or finance companies. Here we get small Norwegian town where families battle for dominance of salmon industry.

There is quite a bit of "we don't do things American way, we are more conscious of impact we make and try to be ethical, but actually not really". Privileged elite is privileged, but not in a way 0,1% Americans would be.

There are few outright funny scenes, such as magnate flipping out at cake shop because they used wrong font and saleswoman not taking his crap, but the humour is mostly satire, contextual and subtle.

Worth the watch.

The series portray salmon farmers on a fabled island closely depicted on one of the pioneer islands that developed the industry. In their quest for hegemony, family lines get crossed in trickery and deceit.

The first two episodes are somewhat slow, but they pick up rapidly with stunning scenery and local extras shining in their self irony and whit.

The acting gradually shows the multifaceted and shifting alliances on the island that actually boasts the highest average wealth in a Norwegian municipality.

Some of the scenes are priceless, especially one where a veteran actor has a cameo appearance during Halloween. The ending opens for a sequel.

With a limited number of reviews here and the bulk of them negative I've got to weigh in. I thought this show was priceless. I loved it. Basically a Succession style take on a salmon farming business in Norway but done with a more satirical touch. It was clever, unique and thoroughly entertaining. I was fascinated by the subject of industrial salmon farming plus it made for a number of striking visual cinematic moments. The dynamics of various shifting factions of family members kept things dramatically up in the air. Lots of good minor character plot lines too. I mean, I just don't know what's not to love.

I started watching this TV series without high expectations. At first it would seem like another one of those supposedly humorous Nordic series that quickly becomes boring, but after a while it became a very good surprise. The plot is not particularly new, but the approach is very fun and innovative. In some ways it feels like a mix of Sussectionion and Fargo. Good actors, beautiful landscapes and a typical Nordic and sarcastic humor to match. For many who are not used to Nordic series, the cultural differences may be strange and take some time to relate to.

Very good. I highly recommend it and I look forward to the second season.

This is the best Norwegian series I have ever seen. The reviews in Norway has been very good, which is indeed deserved.

My background is financial journalism in Norway, and I find the plot quite realistic. The series describes the pros and cons of the salmon industry in a balanced way.

The casting works well, and the acting is generally good. The leading role of the salmon queen is especially convincing.

But more than anything this is elegant satire, and great fun. I laughed through all the episodes, but of course it helps to have a nordic sense of humor and a knowledge of this entrepreneurical coastal culture.