Alex

Within the first few frames of the movie, the main plot is revealed, and it's as old as the hills. I won't talk about it or my review will be classed as containing a 'spoiler'. The acting is quite good and the sets and scenery is as well. The casting was, for the most part at least, reasonably good but the writing.....it's SO predictable that almost every crisis-point is telegraphed ahead and ANYTHING that might later be a clue is shamelessly fore-shadowed so clearly that even a neophyte can recognize them. The direction the 'plot' takes is so simple and singularly focused that events that would be UN-included in a serious series, are included and presented as casually as if it were a cartoon. The first episode was not terrible but from then on it becomes increasingly predictable and at the same time implausible. I was SERIOUSLY disappointed but then again.....why did I expect more Don't waste your time on this VERY THIN 'you'll get what's coming to you" police drama...it's not worth it.

I expected some kind of Swedish SHIELD or even BRAQUO, the tale of a rogue cop, as I crave for. But this series is not gritty, dark and brutal enough for me. The editing looks more than a movie, a long theater released film than a series. OK, there is much suspense but I repeat, that's not gloomy enough for my taste, the cop is not rotten enough for me. Maybe I expect too much, maybe, but I would like to have a real nasty head character, real disgusting character to change. This is not a real bad cop for me, as Richard Gere was in INTERNAL AFFAIRS. That was a real bad ass, and with style please.

I'm giving this puppy 8/10.

Really wasn't expecting much, then I ended up watching it all over the course of one evening.

First of these Scandi noir shows I did ever watched. Who'd thought there was so much murder up there? Not me, that's for sure. And the drugs. Blimey.

If you like a solid, multi-layered drama, and you don't mind subtitles then have at it.

Last decade or so has seen so many good Scandinavian crime series that been-there-seen-that feeling is easy to arise, particularly in a relatively small country like Sweden where the number of film actors is not too big. Moreover, it is hard to believe that Swedish police force have to deal with so severe issues as depicted, and many scenes and solutions tend to imitate UK and US related series...

Dragomir Mrsic as Alex Leko is convincing though, but his co-performers are not too memorable, and the whole series lags behind such recent Swedish series as Innan vi dör or Springfloden, for example. On the other hand, if you like Snabba cash or Pusher type of works, then Alex is a logical follow-up.

Season 1, like a stick of rock, has the words 'Swedish police drama' stamped right through it. In that sense, there is a distinct lack of originality, but in other ways, this tense thriller motors along in a lively fashion, dishing up the occasional plot twist along the way. Whilst it is suspenseful enough to keep your attention, you may hesitate to watch season 2, in case it's just more of the same. Well ... my advice is to welcome season 2 with open arms. Alex has been incarcerated for his illegal activities in the first season, but is allowed out on parole. Meanwhile, his wife and child have stumbled into a world of trouble, putting pressure on him to abscond. He must choose between the law and the lawless as he tries to carve out a viable future for his family. This time the story feels just as menacing, yet more organic, and the decisions that the characters make are quite shocking, haphazard, and stuttering. Truer to life. The action starts slowly, but ramps up in a captivating manner. It seems like the producers and writers stepped up their game considerably. My scores so far would be 7.3 and 8.2.