The Girl from Oslo

I liked this abd I'm picky. Interesting story line showing different world views and cultures. Most new releases are unbearable and I Watched the entire season of this in 1 day.

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.

Quite enjoyed it. However loses stars and ratings as the mother has to be one of the worse annoying And irritating ones I've ever seen on tv or screen.

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!

The episodes are short, and the showrunners try to be sure there's a surprise in each of them. Sometimes indeed the plot departs from conventional expectations. Underlying it all, and connected a little artificially to the action-and-adventure story, is the story of an almost stereotypical Scandinavian marriage-- undemonstrative, troubled, somewhat hopeless. I can't judge the Norwegian actors, but they seem at home in their roles, unlike Israeli sweetheart Rotem Abuhab, who has a less prominent role as a spouse and seems unable to find a character in it.

I can't pretend that I understood every plot development; there are factions against factions against factions. But matters keep moving, even if sometimes they seem to move in circles.

As an Israeli, I'm happy to see this kind of collaboration come about. I wish I could recommend it more enthusiastically.