La cúpula de cristal

I've watched every Scandi mystery or suspense that exists to American viewers, so I was excited for something new. This one didn't quite hit the mark for me, though. Part of my problem was that I had it figured out pretty early. I watched to the end mostly because it was made well and the acting was good for the most part. I'm one of those who would watch a show about a bug crossing the road if it was well made, and especially if it was Scandinavian. The main character, Lejla, however, I found a bit stiff and emotionless in her portrayal of a woman who was once traumatised by abduction and kidnapping. I am sure some will find the ending clever and surprising, but I thought it was extremely far fetched. The serial killer theme has gotten more and more absurd as these shows keep being made. Therefore, I rate this one as a six because it just didn't rise above that in its believability and interest for me.

I honestly don't get the hate - "Die Glaskuppel" is an incredibly gripping and underrated series that constantly keeps you guessing. From the very beginning, it pulls you in with its intense atmosphere and never lets go. The plot is packed with brutal and unexpected twists that hit you when you least expect them, and the tension only escalates with each episode. Just when you think you've figured it out, everything changes again. It's unpredictable, addictive, and full of surprises right up to the final scene. If you enjoy clever, suspenseful storytelling, this series is a hidden gem you shouldn't miss.

It's not Bosch folks! Set in a small Swedish town, an expert on child abductions returns in the midst of a crisis. The lead star might seem cool considering her subject matter but we soon find out why and this is Sweden so no over the top emotional scenes like one might expect in a typical American drama. It was slowly paced but not boring at all. All the way to the end I never identified who the killer was. I understand a season 2 might happen, can't wait!

Once more, I want nothing to be spoiled; but, before and after the secrets come to light, pay close attention to the acting of every character to realize how great it is particularly for the three main characters of the show.

The Glass Dome: A chilling Nordic Noir drama from Sweden. Criminologist Lejla Ness (Léonie Vincent), lives in America, as a child she was kept captive by an abductor who was never identified. Her adoptive mother dies so she returns to her hometown in Granås, Sweden and stays with her adoptive father Valter (Johan Hedenberg), a former police inspector. While she is there a friend is murdered and her her daughter Alicia (Minoo Andacheh) is abducted. The circumstances are eerily similar to Lejla's own abduction. Mixed in with all of this is opposition to a local mine. A psychological drama mixed in with family relationships, Valter as well as mourning his wife's death is still tormented by not catching Lejla's abductor, he sees links with other disappearances. Valter's brother Tomas (Johan Rheborg) is now the local inspector and freezes Valter out of the investigation. An unhappy family indeed. As chemicals leak from the mine and the missing girl isn't found, civil unrest brews. Great performance by Léonie Vincent as she relives past traumas and tries to figure out what is really going on in a narrative full of red herrings, false leads with multiple suspects. The possibility of there being more than one predator at work has to be entertained. Returning in her dreams to the glass container in which she was imprisoned. Good supporting performances by Rheborg, Hedenberg, Andacheh and Seraphine Krystek as the young Lejla. Pay close attention or you might miss an important detail. A few interesting plot twists. Six episodes on Netflix. Directed by Lisa Farzaneh and Henrik Björn, Written by Camilla Läckberg. 8/10.

I thought the series was quite good! I was completely off the mark for the ending, so it was a fun surprise for me. It started off a little slow, but I was invested by episode 2. Nordic noir also has a certain vibe to it, so you need to be okay with a slow pace at times since it contributes to the atmosphere. It's a very specific mood that you see in many series like this.

Like the other positive reviewers note, I don't think the acting was bad at all. Being less emotive when you're playing a specific type of character in certain plot/setting has its place and this show is one of them. In everyday life, people aren't overly expressive and in my option, the acting felt very natural. To me Leyla's character was intentionally masking emotions. Sometimes people who have suffered significant trauma cope by numbing themselves out. She was self-medicating so she clearly still had unresolved issues.

I hate to be snarky, but one of the reviewers stated that a lot of questions were left unanswered and there were some plot holes, but had they actually watched the entire show instead of a select few episodes, they would have found that many of their questions would have been answered. I believe I only had one question I was left with at the end, but I may just have missed something.