Okkupert

We seldom binge on any series but we couldn't help ourselves with Occupied. Now in Season 2 on Netflix, we watched every episode available and have nothing to be ashamed/guilty about. The writing is top notch and based on a completely plausible premise. Norwegians have always felt they were more environmentally responsible than their neighbours, thanks to ample renewable sources of electricity. The primary premise is that, having decided to help their European neighbours get off oil by developing a new, safe source of nuclear power, the Europeans don't want help. Another premise is that the US has become insular and withdrawn from NATO. Don't tell me that's far-fetched in the age of Donald Trump. Finally, Russia has a well-planned scheme to take over Norway. I will bet that there is a filing cabinet somewhere in Moscow filled with exactly such scenarios as this. The premises are all more plausible than the Game of Thrones, which is what makes Occupied so fascinating to watch.

Another source of plausibility is a cast that resembles real people rather than talking Barbies and Kens. Foreign film always has a more everyday quality to the cast which is why they can portray everyday situations so much better. Throw in some adultery and miscellaneous sex with knotty ethical dilemmas and you'll watch all 18 episodes without a break.

The fictional idea of this story is that Europe's mail oil producing country, Norway, is forced by foreign powers to continue their oil production after getting a new extreme green environmental government announcing the end of fossil fuel production. This critique is based upon all ten episodes in the first season.

Occupied is a ten episode first season based upon a script idea by acclaimed novelist Jo Nesbø. In hand of three re-known screen writers, his has been made into a series which has been given much interest even before it was aired for the first time on October 4th. The Russian embassy in Norway has already condemned the series, or rather the whole idea, before seeing as much as a trailer.

In the near future one of the biggest oil producing countries in the world, Norway, has elected a green environmentally eager government after the severe extreme weather Maria has killed 700 people in the most severe natural catastrophe in the country ever. The new prime minister announces that Norway will stop their production of fossil fuels like oil and natural gas, in order to reduce carbon dioxide put out into the atmosphere, what we know as global warming. This happens at the same time as the world sees an energy crises, with civil wars in the Middle East, and is not liked by either the European Union or Norways biggest neighbor Russia. In addition to this the United States has withdrawn from their NATO membership. After opening a thorium power plant, the newly elected Norwegian prime minister leaves after saying to the world press that the age of fossil fuel is over, and is kidnapped by Russians in a helicopter. At the same time a group occupies oil production facilities in the North Sea, basically to force Norway to continue their oil production. Norway has just seen a Russian silk occupation, with threats of something more severe.

The series is fast paced, and jumps in time, telling in retrospect what has happened since last episode, and this functions surprisingly well. This means you have to think more about what's been happening, and since the series challenges what you really happen in such a situation. However, you sometimes would like to see some of the things happening in between the episodes.

The first impression of the series is both interesting food for thought and exciting as a a dramatic event forced by nature, global warming and energy crises. However, in my opinion, the series struggles to keep the needed realism along the way, especially in the second half of the episodes. Then you'll take it as a pure fictional story, not even based on a plausible idea.

There are weaknesses in instruction of some of the actors, especially the young resistance movement. Some of the dialog would need several more takes to be natural. This annoys quite a bit, and very much so, since this is one of Norways most expensive dram series ever.

The series has already been sold to a lot of markets based on the idea, solely. Well worth a watch, even with the weaknesses. And it's likely that a new season will be made after the success this have had, especially abroad.

This is a great well done show, very dark but with bright daylight action that doesn't fatigue you. The scenario is great and acting convincing. It's dystopian but still so real and feels so... Like it's all ready happening.

Go for it, it's a good one. I will update my score as I proceed with the series. So far so good so great!

Very good and complex story writing! I don't get the bad reviews that criticize that the plot is illogical. I think it is very well thought-out if one accepts the premise: Norway wants to quit the oil production and the EU and Russia don't like it. Hej, it's fiction - just like the Zombie-Apocalypse in the Walking Dead - so get over it! Then the interesting things start to happen. If one considers the situation that a small country such as Norway faces when it is caught in the middle of forces out of their control, there really is not much Norway can do on their own. It all depends on what Russia, the EU and the US do. And all of these play their role in this scenario representing their own interests. And of course there is some resistance from the Norwegian population, even terrorism. But there is no obvious good or bad side. To all the Russians: the role Russia plays is not ALL bad. Yes, they are the bad guys that occupy Norway, but actually the EU started the whole conflict and the US do everything so they don't have to intervene. So everyone of the big players is an asshole. I am looking forward to see a second season.

Critics seem to be getting hung up on the realism of the set up for this series. Is it realistic that Russia would undertake a 'soft' invasion of a small European country after critical energy production was stopped in response to climate change, and would NATO sit back and allow it to happen on their doorstep? Probably not, but that's not what this brilliant political thriller is really about. If a more powerful country invaded YOUR country, would you resist, would you keep your head down and try to 'get along' with the invaders if they kept promising to leave but didn't, what compromises would you make to try to avoid a full blown military invasion and loss of life. At what point would you decide that 'enough's enough'? When you see someone openly shot in the street by the occupiers? When free press is shut down? Vichy France, Russia's recent forays into the Ukraine and Hong Kong being handed back to China, all spring to mind. Viewers need to get over the likelihood or otherwise of the basic premise of this series, and just enjoy a really well written, well acted mini series that keeps you in a state of nervous suspense. One that makes you think about history, current world events and future possibilities. How far would you allow yourself to be pushed around before you decided to push back?