Whiskey on the Rocks

See this as satire rooted in reality-90% truth, but with 10% fiction to keep the audience engaged and able to take in all the real absurdities that are hard to believe actually happened.

It's a mix between The Office, Blackadder, and Russians being their authentic selves. Many great characters and well-acted performances.

To truly appreciate the series, you probably need to have lived during the time it takes place. The settings and details are spot-on. A phone booth becomes a secure phone line, someone traveling is, of course, unreachable until they arrive, and everyone smokes freely everywhere. The calm and diplomatic Swedish approach clashes with the more confrontational American mentality.

And the Soviet Union's complete lack of competence in waging war is just like Russia today. But they compensate with alcohol. Sure, it's satire at a high level, but satire is grounded in truth and a sense of relatability.

Take the series for what it is-a fun satire. But if you have the time and interest to do a bit of research afterward, you'll be surprised how much of what made you laugh actually happened in real life.

The critics of this television program don't understand Swedish international relations and military history very well. During the Weimar Republic, Sweden helped aid German militarism, a process that continued during the war (Wiebes, C., & Aalders, G. H., The Art of Cloaking Ownership. The Case of Sweden. The Secret Collaboration and Protection of the German War Industry by the Neutrals, Amsterdam University Press, 1996). During the lead up to Russia's invasion of Ukraine, Sweden spent the years 2009 to 2021 importing $72,647,114,698 worth of Russian oil, the equivalent of 8/14% of the Russian military budget which was $892,019,600,000 (based on UN and SIPRI statistics). Sweden aided its alleged enemy or security threat yet again. This television shows again the now established pattern, i.e. The Swedish military helps undermine Swedish security in the face of security threats (real, imagined or exaggerated). That's the key to this drama. In contrast, diplomacy, cooperation with the state framed as "enemy," and old fashioned common sense helps solve conflicts far more effectively. The lesson builds on history and was confirmed by academic studies thereafter (Stern, Eric, and Bengt Sundelius. "Managing asymmetrical crisis: Sweden, the USSR, and U-137." International Studies Quarterly 36.2 (1992): 213-239). For this reason, the movie is trashed by militarists, the Swedish military, and militarily over-interested persons, what is called in the singular "MÖP" - "militärt överintresserad person" (in Swedish). So, this comedy is far more relevant and important than the army of so-called "defense experts" who blather on about Russian threats and can't admit to the culpability of NATO expansion in helping to trigger Russian militarism. They want to eradicate the history which is cleverly conveyed in this documentary.

This is a welcome satirical tale in dark times. We need more laughs, not less. I don't see the problem of doing a comedy based on true facts. This was a dramatic but also embarrassing event at the time it happened. A breath of fresh air for fans of Armando Ianucci and Jonas Jonasson. Clever script, wrapping uncomfortable truths in humor and absurdity.

For a Swedish production, the humor is biting, and often dark, but it's also grounded in very human moments.

Some great and tense wargame scenes.

Whiskey on the Rocks is an nice addition to the landscape of dark comedy and satires on television.

This is really an unusual nordic TV series. It has epic scenes, and a very funny satirical tone.

Loved the humor, and you can sense it's the same team that was behind the hundred years old man movie. Definitely not your usual nordic noir production. The pace, the tone, the dialogues, and the editing are a welcome change from most swedish programmes. A fun ride. Great acting performances. Rolf Lassgård is brilliant, and Mark Noble delivers an amazing part as Ronald Reagan.

I watched it on SVT in Sweden, and for what I understand it's going to be released on Disney + later this year. Warmly recommended.

Review of Whiskey on the Rocks

Whiskey on the Rocks is a Swedish miniseries that takes on one of the most dramatic events of the Cold War: the grounding of the Soviet submarine U137 off the coast of Karlskrona in 1981. The series delivers suspense, political intrigue, and a fascinating glimpse into an era marked by mistrust and power struggles.

Rolf Lassgård shines in the role of Prime Minister Thorbjörn Fälldin. His performance is impressive, capturing the essence of the Swedish leader through both body language and dialect. Lassgård's portrayal is a testament to his versatility as an actor and his ability to carry a story.

The production design is another highlight. The series successfully recreates the atmosphere of the time with an authenticity that feels tangible. From the costumes to the interiors-every detail is carefully crafted, grounding the narrative in its historical context.

The humor woven throughout the series is also worth mentioning. Subtle, well-placed comedic moments-often centered on the cultural and linguistic misunderstandings between the Swedes and the Soviets-add a lightness that balances the otherwise serious tone and makes the characters more relatable.

With its high production quality, Whiskey on the Rocks is not only compelling for Swedish audiences but also for an international one. While the series takes some liberties with historical details, it also balances drama, realism, and humor, keeping viewers thoroughly engaged. The historical significance of the event and its connection to the Cold War make it particularly relevant.

In summary, Whiskey on the Rocks is a powerful miniseries deserving of all the attention it can get. With great acting, impressive production design, and a gripping story laced with humor, it leaves a lasting impression.