Le dôme de verre

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.

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.

It's enjoyable if you watch it as a crime-based drama, not as a suspense thriller. It's true it's easy to guess who the villain is, but for me that just adds to the tension, which builds up nicely throughout the show.

I don't get the criticism of the main character. I thought she was effective. She is suffering from childhood trauma and not happy about being back in Sweden for her adoptive mother's funeral, so she is intentionally in a 'going through the motions' type of mood a lot of the time. At some point she says outright she wants to go back to America "because it's suffocating here." However, she livens up when something happens she is passionate about, which is especially children in danger. I thought the actress did that well.

I do agree Alicia, the kidnapped girl, didn't have much personality, but as she doesn't get that much screen time, I don't think it detracts from the show that much. It's also true some things were left unresolved, but as these were not part of the central story, I also don't find that so important.

Giving it 7/10. It doesn't break new ground, it's not a super-brilliant mystery, but it's a solid drama around a kidnapper and kidnappee.

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 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.