Dag

Dag is the marriage counselor who embraces a life in solitude. A lifestyle he eagerly conveys to his patients. He goes about his anonymous way of living, dealing with the slightly psychotic secretary Malin (Agnes Kittelsen), and his numerous weird patients.

In between the occasional blind date, setup by his sensitive sister Marianne (Silje Torp Færavaag), Dag also has to guide his best friend Benedict (Anders Baasmo Christiansen) through the many affairs and comical screw ups he encounters.

Dag's entire view of life begins to shatter however, as he meets Eva (Tuva Novotny), who is just as lost as he really is.

The entire cast does a brilliant job, portraying their respective characters very convincingly. In conclusion, this is the best series I have ever seen come out of Norway. And if you enjoy black comedy, you will surely like this.

8.5/10

I am not sure how I came to spot this on Sky Arts the other day, but I am so glad that I did. I can't remember the last time that I laughed out loud so often during a 23 minute comedy.

A number of other reviewers have commented upon it being the best Norwegian TV drama. I haven't seen enough Norwegian TV to comment on that, but it certainly beats the usual dross that the UK calls a sitcom.

The acting and writing is absolutely spot on. I was trying to decide who my favourite character is but that is a tough task. When she gets enough lines, Dag's receptionist Malin is absolutely hilarious, but I think I need to go with Eva, played by the lovely Tuva Novotny.

I do hope that Sky continue with this series beyond season 1 which is currently showing.

Norwegian sitcoms are not exactly the hottest thing on TV, at least not since they cancelled "Fleksnes", which was an adaptation of Hancock's Half Hour, only much better, back in the late sixties. But "Dag", about this very improbable dystopic loner of a couples' counsellor is right up there with the very best from anywhere, like Curb your enthusiasm or The Office (no similarities apart from the quality).

All the pieces of the puzzle fall readily into place: Very witty scriptwriting, and original concept, great casting, superb acting, clever directing and well-paced editing. The fact that it's done in Norwegian makes it twice as funny; it really is the funniest language in the world – especially to us Swedes.

By the way, the very lovely Tuva Novotny is not Norwegian, but Swedish. You're forgiven for thinking so though, since her accent is 100 percent perfect.

In short, don't miss this little comedy gem!

Irreverent, funny and sometimes quite poignant, this Scandi-comedy makes me chuckle and think with the unfolding of each season. The chronicle of a marriage counselor who is more damaged than his clients, his secretary prone to fits of historical dementia and his best friend who just cant resist the wildest and least appropriate interpersonal entanglements are just the tip of this Nordic romp's story line. Great nods to global pop culture await the viewer. Some scenes can be a little raunchy, even uncomfortable, but try hard to hold back offense, its a bawdy but intelligent comedy. Watch it from the beginning and howl, if only for the bad English subtitles.

From the land of Ibsen, comes DAG. A comic hero/philosopher in the shape of marriage guidance counsellor Dag, whose philosophy of life advocates living alone to that of being married. This comic incongruity is played to maximum exaggeration when he confronts his startled clients with observations that marriage 'represses' your true self, and that divorce is better than marital misery. As with all comic caricatures there is a degree of truth in a philosophy that chooses to ignore such fanciful ideas like love and friendship. Of course, Dag practices what he preaches in his high security 'man-cave', where his solitary pleasures, after spending his day advising clients, are eating junk food, drinking, and listening to music. These are occasionally disturbed by his cuddly 'friend' Benedict whose inability to keep his fly zipped constantly lands him in hot water. Whereas, Dag appears to be more choosy in his sexual partners, as his well-intentioned sister (who sets Dag up with blind dates) is always finding out. That is until Dag meets his sister's friend: Eva.

After only two episodes I'm hooked on this dark and satirical take on the comedy of the sexes. Can Eva find out if 'loner' Dag has a heart? Will she become the soul-mate that his sister craves for him? As I already have a crush on the elfin-like Tuva Novotny, who plays Eva, this is a no-brainer for me. However, it will be fun watching their verbal and physical foreplay as the series develops. Needless to say this ageing misanthrope loved it. More please!!