Dicte

..so many productions appear artificial, or produced for 'effect.' This is a show that feels 'real-life'. These characters do not come off as actors, and that is something so welcome in sitting back and watching things play out. Iben Hjejle is a favorite actor, on either side of the pond... she is just so natural. Have been fortunate to see her in other works... she never disappoints. She is someone you would just like to meet and really get to know. Of course the story lines have to been taken independently, because no one person would have so much happen to them in real-world situations. But there is something truly unique in this production, it has a warmth and closeness, and she and all the other regular cast members make that happen time and again. So glad it does sparingly occur, because it gives hope it will somehow come about again. Special is special... even if it does not happen very frequently.

I'm expecting more spin-offs from this show like Bob - Builder and Sam - Fireman, but seriously, I rather enjoyed this first UK showing of yet another Scandinavian crime series. Nordic Noir it isn't though, at least in this meet-the-characters episode, as we drop in on recently divorced, middle-aged, single mum and to top it all, crime reporter Dicte in the small town of Aarhus. Not unnaturally we quickly enter fully into her world, which brings forth her mildly rebellious teenage daughter, two forty-something girl-friends, still-sniffing-around ex-husband and her various newspaper colleagues and police contacts. These will no doubt provide plenty of back - stories in future episodes, especially, I don't doubt, her initially frosty relationship with the super-thin, also recently divorced police detective Wagner, which I expect to morph into something warmer in time.

Human interest aside, I was more entertained by the interesting plot line, surrounding surrogate mother Eastern European prostitutes, with Dicte unconventionally finding the first body while answering a call of nature. This was just one of many examples of the wry, pithy humour on display and while some of the connections in the story seem either contrived or coincidental, my enjoyment wasn't dulled too much.

I liked the acting too, especially Dicte and the detective, who also has a scene-stealing Bolshie young female assistant too. I hope future episodes concentrate on the criminal reporting side rather than the temptation to fall into "Sex and the City" territory, but for now this was an encouraging start to a series I'll return to for my latest subtitled cop-show.

I thoroughly enjoyed the first season of this Danish crime drama. Second season began to fade as character's bizarre personal lives overtook the "crime" part of this drama. The third season saw a continued movement away from the crimes and revolved almost totally around the increasingly annoying and unbelievable personal lives of the characters. I would definitely recommend season one but skip season two and three.

Thankfully Netflix has added the first season of this to its streaming lineup otherwise I would never have even heard of it. I was hooked from the first episode and even though it was subtitled, soon you get so caught up in it you don't even realize you're still reading. Although Dicte is the main character, there is no shortage of surrounding characters whose stories are just as deep that you find yourself wanting to see more of them. The setting is beautiful, the stories intertwine perfectly from one to the next and the cast is superb.

My only complaint is that they haven't released the second season anywhere that I can view it, so I will have to wait, albeit impatiently, for the next episodes. If only America had more shows like this, I'd never leave the house.

This series, retitled 'Dicte - Crime Reporter' here in the UK, follows crime reporter Dicte Svendsen as she reports on, and gets involved in, various cases in her home city of Aarhus, which she has returned to after some time away. She lives with her teenage daughter, Rose, and usually ends up working with policeman John Wagner. The cases typically, but not always, concern murders. These cases are each two episodes long although they were combined into single double length episodes here. As well as the mysteries there are ongoing personal stories involving Dicte and her friends' various relationships, personal and professional problems.

Amongst all the 'Nordic Noir' this series is lighter fare with its shorter individual cases and a protagonist who is closer to the enthusiastic amateur of classic whodunits than more realistic police investigations. Dicte constantly gets herself into situations that put her in danger or could get her arrested in real life. The cases are intriguing and the characters' personal lives are entertaining if rather chaotic... some might say soapish. The cast does a fine job; although not being Danish I can't comment on their accents. Most notable amongst the cast are Iben Hjejle, who plays Dicte; Lars Brygmann, as Wagner; and Dar Salim, who plays photographer and Dicte's love interest Bo Skytte. Overall I'd certainly recommend this for fans of crime drama looking for something lighter than most recent Nordic offerings.

These comments are based on watching the series in Danish with English subtitles.