Slutet på sommaren

This Swedish drama opens in the summer of 1984 as young Vera witnesses her mother committing suicide by jumping into a lake. Twenty years later Vera is working as a grief councillor. A man, identifying himself as Isak talks about how he recently learnt that he was adopted; one of his only early memories concerns the disappearance of a childhood friend. Vera starts to wonder if Isak could in fact be her young brother Billy who vanished shortly before her mother's death. Returning to her rural home town with Isak she tries to discover what happened to her brother. Everybody seems to think local ne'er-do-well Tommy killed him before disappearing himself but is it that simple?

I thought this was a really solid series. There was a good sense of mystery and an impressive '80s feel to the numerous extended flashback scenes. The truth is gradually revealed and doesn't become guessable until it is almost time for the reveal; and even then it is a case of 'I think this might have happened' rather than certainty. The cast impresses, most obviously Julia Ragnarsson who does a fine job as Vera. Six episodes in length it doesn't feel rushed, nor does it ever drag. The setting is great; the flashback scenes beautifully captured the languid feel of childhood summers years ago. Overall I'd certainly recommend this to fans of Scandinavian drama.

... as you do NOT want to learn any of the details of anything that's happening in this wonderful production before watching any of it... this to easily be one of the best series have seen so far this year

... casting leads all parts going into the making of this program... each-every cast member is outstanding in their role... there's not a weakened performance among the entire group... and now in her early thirties, she is a true-star... just perfect every minute she's onscreen

... every episode done without flaws, there's not anything to be faulted... Nordic countries through recent years have put out some incredible programming... EOS standing alongside-equal to any of the best... do-NOT-miss seeing-it.

This is a classy piece of work. Starting right at the top, the writing is superb. Most screenplays slap on big, chunky layers of intrigue, a bit like lasagne, but End of Summer is so much more subtle, creating layers, so quietly introduced you hardly notice, like Filo pastry. Its a guessing game right to the end and no-one will guess in advance, even though they might think they have the answer. The casting is excellent, acting top notch and direction makes the complex screenplay hang together almost effortlessly. This is screen production of the higher order. And of course you need very strong screen talent to carry it, especially in the early episodes when the intrigue hasn't really had a chance to ratchet up yet. This is where Julia Ragnarsson excels as Vera ( and the young actress who plays her child self). Both so very good and totally believable being the same person. To the entire crew and team, thank you for an excellent screen drama.

I recently binge-watched the first four episodes of End of Summer (Slutet på sommaren) when they were released and now I binge-watched the last 2 , couldn't stop until I finished them.

What truly sets End of Summer apart is its ability to weave together a gripping thriller with a deeply emotional narrative. It's not just about uncovering what happened-it's about exploring grief, guilt, and the long-lasting effects of unresolved trauma. The story doesn't shy away from raw emotions, making the stakes feel incredibly personal.

The acting in End of Summer is nothing short of phenomenal. The entire cast brings a level of authenticity and emotional depth that elevates the series to another level. Vera, portrayed with remarkable nuance, is a character who draws you in with her determination and vulnerability as she unravels the mystery. Her performance anchors the series, making every twist and revelation feel personal and impactful.

The supporting cast is equally impressive, each actor delivering layered and compelling performances. From the subtle expressions that hint at hidden secrets to the moments of raw emotion, the cast captures the complex dynamics of family, grief, and guilt with finesse. Their chemistry and the interplay between characters create an immersive and emotionally resonant experience.

The direction is top-notch, balancing moments of intense suspense with heartfelt drama. The pacing is perfectly executed, unraveling the mystery in a way that keeps you guessing without feeling rushed or overly complicated. Every scene feels purposeful, building toward a satisfying and unexpected resolution.

The series masterfully transitions between two eras , capturing the fashion, atmosphere, and cultural nuances of both eras perfectly. The small details, like the lighting, music, and set design, immerse you in the timeline shifts without feeling forced or exaggerated.

Overall, End of Summer is a beautifully crafted series that delivers on every level. It's intelligent, suspenseful, and emotionally resonant-a must-watch for fans of character-driven mysteries.

Intially promising, good plot and well known actors. But unfortunately this production failed miserably. What exactly is wrong you might ask? It's a combination of several factors according to my opinion Firstly the character build up is not done right. The story it self is either unfolding too fast or too slow. The different scenes dont follow each other in a smooth way. They are kind of disconnected. Some of the supporting scenes that should tell a story behind each character are sometimes unnecessary or don't really make sense to the audience.

Main thing lacking is that this show fails in building up a suspense. I quickly became uninterested in what happens and didn't know what or who I was rooting for.

The acting is overall good, so is the script and how it's executed.

My guess to why it fails is the pre planning of this production, what scenes to shoot to tell the story and how to build suspense. Could the team be more used to typical drama and not crime/who dunit?