Beck

Only reason I wouldnt give this a 10 is sometimes the detectives just dont act like professional law enforcement, except for Gunwald, they go into situations without weapons drawn when you can hear there is a standoff. Gunwald has great attitude and makes it look easy. Sure in the US the police are very heavy handed, i dont know if in Sweded they are actually gentler or just in this show, its a different perspective. In my area it is subtitled and I dont mind the read every episode on MHZ. The inclusion of the characters personal problems adds more realism. I recommend it to everyone, some viewers are too lazy to read.

Gunvald alone makes this series so worth while. A Swedish 'Dirty Harry' Well written stories and great locations. Addictive and rewatchable.

Beck

Watched the lot!

Unfortunately this was a case of the good, the bad, and the other ugly. The 8 series effectively divided into 3 sections of varying quality. In truth when the actor play Gunwald left to star in Sex Education they should have cancelled the series.

Series 1 to 4

It is so refreshing to find a programme from Sweden that is not Nordic Noir. A new formula was applied here, if anything it was nearer in style to Montalbano.

Every show started with a murder, solved by Gunwald, a Swedish "Dirty Harry" doing whats required to get his man and Beck the methodical and insightful investigator.

The contrast between the brutal murder and the great fun, humour and friendship of the whole team from pathologist to administrator was the unique determiner of this show. Not to mention, the unexpected twists brilliant acting and Beck's quirky neighbour.

These first 4 series were an 8 outta 10.

Series 4 to 6

Steiner, Gunwald replacement was miscast, he couldn't fire a gun, couldn't work a computer or crack a joke. The introduction of an insecure humourless bullying female boss destroyed these series.

At best this was a weak 5 outta 10

Series 7 to 8

These last two series should never have been made. Watching Beck, our hero, wither and fall into shade was not good entertainment.

Every show had either, immigrant drug dealers, racial elements or religious overtones, combined with refugees and crime gangs. We all know that culture and race issues are not best explored in works of fiction.

I hated these series with a vengeance please don't make any more.

This was a 1 outta 10, miserable, no humour, poor plots!

This series has been around for quite a few years, and it has been airing as of lately on the MHz Network during the international mystery and drama hour each week. I'm quite enjoying it—as aforementioned by other users, the two main actors, Haber and Persbrandt (who play Martin Beck and Gunvald Larsson, respectively) are phenomenal at interpreting the roles they are assigned. The series is well-written, and each character has a great deal of personality—the viewer is able to grow with the characters as they continue their assignments throughout the series. That being said, the other actors deserve applause as well.

I would definitely recommend this program to other fans of mystery and suspense... I think this series is a bit under-appreciated where I am (I'm not from Sweden), and it deserves more publicity here, although it isn't as recent as many other shows.

My wife and I enjoy mystery/crime drama series, particularly those from Europe. This series is one of the best, even though it has been around for quite a while. The plot lines are interesting, sometimes even captivating, the characters are sometimes fascinating (such as Beck's friend in the adjoining apartment), the character interrelationships sophisticated, and the settings well thought-out and realistic. Because I've spent some time in Sweden (particularly Stockholm), I also enjoy the series for personal reasons. I'm particularly enthusiastic about the lead character, Beck, who is not cast as an exceptional, almost super-human individual but, rather, as a thoughtful, sometimes vulnerable, but still very intelligent and caring human. My wife and I give it two thumbs up (to use another rating system). Tom Nelson