End of Summer

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.

A family with a dark past lies at the centre of Swedish drama 'End of Summer'. As with many thrillers, the story is somewhat contrived, but actually well put together: given what had happened, it makes broad sense that the characters think and acts as they do at the start of the tale, allowing the revealing of the mystery in a plausible and gripping way. Where it's less strong is how it gets the investigation going: the protagonist is a beautiful, brilliant grief therapist, who has taken up this career, bizarrely, because she has never overcome her own grief at the truamatic events of her youth. This is both hackneyed and ridiculous, and the early episodes feel very contrived. Only as the story moves on, and we can forget how it started, does it start to become compelling.

... 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.

I really enjoyed this. But that's not to say that I found it full of credibility. That a disbarred professional fighting to get her job back would do what Vera does is a step too far, especially in front of witnesses.

That apart, I enjoyed the present day and flashback format of the series. The person playing young Vera was excellent too.

The actor playing the putative adult Billy was less convincing although I'm going to put this down to bad directing. From episode five onwards, he'd obviously been told to look menacing and he did this by baring his teeth when smiling. It didn't work.

I didn't guess what had happened to Billy but I had realised what Tommy's fate was and who the perpetrator must have been.

In a highly regulated state like Sweden, it seemed odd to me how people's identities couldn't be established. Even odder, why not demand a DNA test immediately instead of acting on supposition and intuition?

I'm glad I saw this and it filled a few hours. It made my brain work and surprised me too.

Recommended.

It is a six-episode Swedish drama that tells a mysterious and emotional story. It begins in 1984 when young Vera sees her mother die by suicide. Years later, Vera is a grief counsellor still haunted by her past. A man named Isak visits her and talks about his adoption and the disappearance of a friend from childhood. Vera starts to wonder if Isak could actually be her missing brother, Billy. She returns to her hometown with him to try and uncover the truth.

The story switches between the present and the past, and this format works really well. The young actress playing Vera in flashbacks is excellent. Julia Ragnarsson, who plays adult Vera, also gives a strong and believable performance. The mystery unfolds slowly, with many twists and surprises. True, one might still guess parts of the ending, but the truth was revealed in a smart and satisfying way.

There are still some flaws: some parts, like how easily people access the investigation or how slow they are to use DNA tests, seem unrealistic-especially in a country like Sweden. A couple of characters feel overplayed or unnecessary. Also, the main character's career choice feels a bit forced. But once the story gets going, it becomes more gripping and emotional.

The show's atmosphere is beautiful, especially the flashback scenes of 1980s summer. It doesn't waste time with side plots or modern "woke" themes. It sticks to the mystery, which makes it more focused and enjoyable.

Overall, this Series is a well-acted, well-written Nordic thriller. It has heart, mystery, and beautiful visuals. If you enjoy Scandinavian crime dramas, this is worth watching - particularly if you have already watched the "classics" starting from The Killing and The Bridge... 😊