The Restaurant

I have not finished this series, but one thing I do not appreciate about it is that after 25+ years, the characters look EXACTLY the same as they did in the beggining.... they never age..... not even a little.

A very absorbing look at a fancy Swedish family over several decades -- the show is well-written, nicely directed, and very well acted. However, it's dark. Very dark. This family either has the worst luck ever, or this is just life in Sweden, where every moment is fraught with negativity and unhappiness. Still, if you can stand watching something tragic happen every episode, and you don't get overly involved with the characters -- or you'll end up as thoroughly depressed as they are -- the rewards are plentiful. One odd note: this family seems to have found the secret to eternal life. Although the show starts in 1945 and goes on for another two and a half decades, the characters don't age. They all look exactly as they did when the show starts. Some of them get new haircuts, some get new clothes, but the secret to eternal life seems to be to run a restaurant in Sweden and suffer misfortune every week.

People have compared this to "Downton Abbey." It's much better. Downton had fine production value and strong acting, but uneven scripting, scattershot character development, a lot of repetition, and a heavy dollop of misplaced nostalgia. This show has its Grand Dame in the form of the Lowander matriarch, but it does not lean too heavily on her icy quips the way Downton did on the Dowager Countess. It is top notch across the board.

The "downstairs" characters who run the kitchen in "The Restaurant" are aware of the divide and power dynamic between them and the wealthy family that owns the business, but they're not forelock-tuggers. There are strong subplots about unionization, workers fighting back when being mistreated, and a cross-class romance that is believable and develops beautifully and organically as the series unfolds. Nina and Calle, who share a spontaneous kiss in the first episode, make a compelling pairing. The actress who plays Nina is a highlight of the show.

Elsewhere, the family dynamic and rivalries are well portrayed and feel believable. Gustaf and Peter are as different as brothers can be, and their ongoing push-pull makes sense as written and acted. Unlike the 6-season-long nastiness between Mary and Edith on "Downton" (mostly Mary toward Edith), it doesn't feel gratuitous or played merely for acid humor. The drama always come back to the restaurant and the family, their roles within it and their differing visions for it and how to keep it thriving.

There are characters who come and go on the series, and what they sometimes lack in screen time or development is always balanced by strong acting. They don't feel like filler and always contribute to the plot in the manner intended. The costumes and sets are wonderful, and the dashes of humor added by repeat visitors like the General and his frisky wife who frequent the restaurant are welcome and well apportioned.

Coming back to Nina, she really is the best thing about the show. She is a radiant presence, proud and yes, privileged, but never tiresome or snobbish. Her struggle and determination to play a role in the family business and also be fulfilled as a woman, her sometimes painful journey, are always compelling viewing. I found myself caring about all of the characters, but I waited every episode to see what would happen with Nina. She's a wonderful character and the actress is amazing.

Excellent production value, costumes and sets, vigorous attention to detail, strong, subtle, touching writing. A total winner of a show.

EDIT: I am now on Season 3 and it isn't quite as strong as it was for the first two seasons, but it's still a great watch. And it's true that the show doesn't do a good job of aging the characters as time marches on. The women are made to look older with different hairstyles, makeup and clothing that also reflect the changing styles. This works to some degree, though they look like very well-preserved middle aged women. But the men, Peter in particular, look almost the same age. Peter's hair has not changed once since the first episode, nor has his face been lined. It's almost like the actor had something in his contract about it, lol. Don't Touch The Hair! Calle looks older because they cut his hair shorter, gave him glasses and a bit of a pooch. But Peter literally looks exactly the same. It's distracting.

Very good atmosphere top notch acting and great utterly believable yet dramatic story lines. Characters are complex and not one dimensial, like good and bad guys. For me the best experience since Breaking Bad and Better call Saul.

The main takeaway of this show is that not all Swedes are blonde!

I am enjoying this, although I admit that being from The Netherlands, I partly watch to compare Swedish to Dutch. Interesting. The other day I heard them sing a Dutch happy birthday tune in Swedish, I had no idea that had the same song.

Yes, it's predictable and slightly soap-like at times, and some characters have become caricatures (although, interestingly enough, there's two people who have switched, one being the good guy changing into the bad guy, and vice versa). It follows the success recipe of romantic storylines, ongoing family trouble and always one lighter, funny storyline per episode.

What I really like is the big jumps in time, where in other shows certain storyline would have ben spelled out till the very end, here it suddenly stops and we are 5 years down the line, and what happened before is explained in a brief conversation or a shot of something. I like that, because often it would have been obvious.

But what is up with that filter? It's as if they're in a permanent dust cloud!