Ráðherrann

I wish more people would watch scandi shows regularly.

This show is a fine example of a tight script accompanied with fantastic acting - in particularly the lead, he is truly amazing - and an amazing setting of the island itself, Iceland.

Again we see the power of good writing. Icelandic TV RUV in cooperation with the other 4 scandi TV channels - SVT (Sweden) NRK (Norway) DR (Denmark) and YLE (Finland) served us with yet another masterpiece.

I would definitely watch more Icelandic film and TV in the future. I enjoyed the wonderful Icelandic language as well. It gives the story an air of being from strange, far away land which is an added bonus to the plot.

Go and watch this - it's good.

I found this to be fairly shallow, predictable. you have the main character's quirks/illness and very little else. The remaining characters are very thinly drawn and pretty much stereotypes. Also we already know from academic peer reviewed work that their is a streak of what most would consider mental illness broadly present among politicians and elected and unelected govnrerment officials. It is not manic behavior -- it is narcissism and sociopathy. In the US for example, the location with the most psychopaths and sociopaths is Washington DC. And that is not arising from the general citizenry there -- it is quite specifically the govnrerment officials. Just google: Washington DC psychopathy capital of the US. And in fact northern Virginia, and southern Maryland where a large chunk of the government workers live is the second highest level of psychopaths.

So this show presents an illness that is mercurial almost charming and then something worse. It doesn't come near the reality which is more like US and UK House of Cards. As outrageous as House of Cards was, the data show that is actually a reality. And a much more interesting, fascinating reality. Most European productions and narratives tend to shy away from that. Bad actors in govnrerment tend to be portrayed as outliers. That is a bit infantile.

Ultimately this series has nothing to say. And it also does not entertain. Yes, we get it, the stark landscapes from scando-noir, are compelling. and Iceland is particularly stark, but it's not compelling not when there is nothing else.

Ráðherrann aka The Minister This engrossing 8 part political drama from Iceland has all that one has come to expect from this country.

Ólafur Darri Ólafsson is quite superb as the eponymous character (Benedikt), the newly elected Prime Minister of Iceland.

The problem is that he is bipolar, a hereditary disease he has inherited from his mother who as a result committed suicide when he was young.

What unfolds is a thoughtful drama about not only the illness but also the was the way Benedikt sees through the politics and makes decisions which are more logical to his mind, despite being against his party's politics and in some cases law.

If it can't be done, make up a new law!

The viewer is behind Benedikt for the most part, but the last couple of episodes sees a shift in this view.

Behind the scenes, the party politics is as you would expect, all self serving manipulation towards personal gain, so nobody really has he countries' or Benedikt's interests at heart, just their own. No change there!

The supporting cast is very strong. Where do they find so many good actors in such a small country?

I'd definitely recommend this if you are trying to find the next bingeable show. I came to watch Ólafur Darri Ólafsson and stayed because it's a poignant portrait of mental illness blended with political intrigue. There were a few too much cringey over the top scenes, but that's my only criticism.

This started OK mainly because Olafur Darri Olafsson is always watchable. But it became disappointing and almost laughable especially the manoeuverings of the various members of parliament. Constantly double crossing each other and when the ploy is revealed they don't even change their facial expression. Then five minutes later, they'll be getting into bed with the person who just double crossed them. As for the wife, despicable! A terrible actor and repellent character. Exactly the same frozen expressionless face for two whole seasons! I almost turned it off every time she came on screen. Best scenes by far are those during the manic episode. These were enjoyable and give a compassionate insight into the disease. 3 stars out of 10.