All the Sins

I have watched two seasons of this great Finnish TV serie. I have learned out that the third is on air. I wanted to write my comment before watching the third season. I really liked the second season and I can even say that I like it more than the first season. The difference between revenge and punishment is very well analyzed in the second season. Although, there were very unnecessary dialogoues and moments in the first season, the second season lack these and it focuses on an old case that haunted the town. In addition to this, the acting is absolutely great in the second season, and you really enjoy the nature of Northern Finland.

I loved the first season with its human interest background as well as the investigative aspects. The sexuality of Lauri was a factor in the development of the plot inasmuch as it was one of the main reasons for his long-ago departure from the area and the way people reacted to him upon his return. The fractured relationship he has with his husband was in large part engendered by the restrictive teachings of the Laestadian sect of his upbringing. It is hard to believe that such people exist in a modern, progressive society such as Finland that regularly tops the world happiness index and that their cold, exclusionist and rejectionist beliefs cause havoc with the minds of people who are connected to them. This is an overarching theme of both seasons.

Season Two is a prequel, if you will. It stems from a glancing reference made by Lauri to Sanna in the first season about previous murders in the area and is introduced by a "Previously on All the Sins" introduction in the first episode before the theme song comes up. We immediately learn about the murder and who was convicted for it and their relationship to one of the key characters in the first season. After the opening credits, we are transported 15 years into the past before the events of Season One. Clearly the actors and the characters they are playing are nearly all different with a couple of exceptions. Once more, the unforgiving and closed religious community is a major theme and we see again how it closes in to protect its own against perfectly decent and honest non-members.

As in Season One, there are some surprising, but believable, plot twists and turns. Nothing is as it seems and the revelation of the perpetrator and then the final gruesome twist leading to the arraignment in court are hard to watch. Yes, I can understand the actions taken but cannot accept them as justifiable.

I know Finland well, but this sort of religious community controlling whole towns was something I was unaware of. This particular setting takes place in a fictional town in the vicinity of Oulu, a lovely part of the country where normality, thankfully, reigns.

This was an original concept, well shot and acted with plot devices that held the attention throughout. The acting was excellent and the characters seemed true to life in their roles. Six episodes per season was just right.

I'm hoping that there will be a Season Three!

I became quite hooked on the first series although I am not sure why. The characters were interesting and very three dimensional which is rare. The crime element was very much a sub plot. The gist of the series is about two very different cops coming to a brutal realisation of who they are and where they come from. The one thing it lacks, however, is any suspense whatsoever. Not a huge problem, but noticeable. However, season 2 for me is the whole package. I am only on episode 3 but felt compelled to write this review. The acting is fabulous. Matti Ristinen especially steals the show. There is palpable tension in every episode as the righteous but traumatise cop deals with a new world order on one side and suffocating, corrupt religious zealots on the other. Love it.

Can't wait for Season Two. Once I started watching series, couldn't stop. Well cast, acted, interesting plot twist, of essentially a "closed" community with its own particular dogma that all must adhere too, almost incestuous in tone. Dealt with sensitive issues both of community and two investigators struggling with their own karma. A must watch.

/refers to Season 1/

Although the Finns entered the Nordic thriller field later than the Danes and Swedes, some 5 years or so have shown talented approaches with several catchy series. And Kaikki synnit is another pleasant example, with distinct characters, beautiful nature, closed community issues and internal/external solitude have been skilfully combined. One can ponder on and over different modern perspectives and backgrounds - even in a remote area like Oulu´s vicinity.

And the performances are great, both leading and supporting, with relatively new faces I have not noticed in other similar series (particular wow! to Tuula Väänänen as Lauri´s mother Maarit).

"Only" 8 points from me as I liked Sorjonen a bit more. But still - worth watching and recommended. Next seasons will apparently follow.

PS Season 2 is a more intensive spin-off when some events unclear in Season 1 got explained. The performances are not so strong and the share of humour is less.