Trom

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.

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.

I like Danish crime, and this is made on the Feroe Island with nice nature scenery as a bonus. The episodes builds up tension pretty good, but unfortunately it lacks new inspiration. It has too many similarities with other crime series, and the revelation of who killed whom was dissapointing. But there might be a season two, so absolutely not bad, but it did not reach its full potential.

Found this a tad disappointing. There are so many tropes in the plot. The show manages to retain some mystery around the main crime that is committed till the end of the season. Everything just seems predictable.

And the theme music reminds me of Teardrop by Massive Attack.

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.