The Girl from Oslo

Pretty reasonable overall but about 3 episodes too long. Story is rather weak but there are quite a few action scenes and reasonable character development.

Production and casting ok but on balance I wouldn't watch it again.

I don't get the negative reviews here, but maybe I'm just not that familiar with the middle east and how things are over there. Regardless, if you like suspense, this one had me biting my nails. I'm glad it's several episodes, because it gives me something to look forward to in the evenings. There are disturbing scenes and frustrating ones, but I didn't find anything wrong with the acting. I am a very picky viewer and won't even tune into anything if it's not well done, so I honestly don't understand why others didn't appreciate it. Norwegian programs are usually far better than silly American stuff. Try Witch Hunt (with subtitles, of course) for another absorbing Norwegian program, although I did like this one better. Happy viewing!

There is a lot that is wrong with this series. The characters annoyed me. Especially the kidnapped daughter Pia and her pain in the butt mother. Maybe do yourself a favor and watch episodes 1 & 2 then reward time is due, skip to the last one episode 10.

Yes. The mother drove me bezerk watching this. If you were a top politician/negotiater before, how come you get braindead 20 years after?

The girl. Everytime something happens she screams like a hurt pig. If something happens, you concentrate to get your ass outta there and quiet. Dont think the writer/author likes women.

When it comes to the story it is a bit simple. Israelis have made really excellent series before, but this was not a great moment. If you want to watch somethin while you wait for your pizza its ok.

Pia is a young Norwegian girl who hasn't told her parents that she has gone to Israel on holiday. While there she goes on a day trip to a beach in Egypt's Sinai Peninsula with an Israeli brother and sister. As they return through the desert their car is stopped by armed ISIS terrorists; their driver is killed and they are taken hostage. The terrorists demand the release of several prisoners; most are in Israeli jails but one is being held in Norway. Neither country wants to give in to terrorists but Pia's father, a lawyer, agrees to represent the man being held in Norway. Meanwhile her mother, is in Israel trying to pressure anybody who might be able to help to do what they can. Most prominent of these is the Israeli Intelligence Minister who she had got close to when he attended the Oslo peace talks in the early nineties some of her actions may make things worse.

I thought this was a fairly solid thriller; the tension is high whenever we are with Pia and her fellow hostages. Things aren't quite as strong when we are with her parents, in particular her mother whose actions don't seem like those of somebody who worked as a diplomat... everything she does seems to potentially make matters worse or harm other people. The acting is decent enough; annoying characters are more down to writing than acting. I did like the settings; especially the bleak deserts where much of the drama takes place. Overall a decent enough series; not a must see but good enough.

These comments are based on watching the series in Hebrew/Norwegian/Arabic with English subtitles; much of the conversation is in English as it is the language used by characters who don't speak other's native languages.