Black Sands

If this had been done in four or even six episodes, it would have been twice as good. As it was, a reasonably good mystery just dragged and dragged over eight slow motion episodes. The cast was mainly good, though the script had the main character behaving in an overly unlikely and unprofessional way a little too often. So, not bad...but could have been a lot better.

I'm glad the recaps at the beginning of each episode of Season Two were so detailed. I'd seen Season One when it came out and could barely remember it. I think that anyone coming fresh to Season Two would have problems; I did despite being vaguely familiar with the plot.

So the first couple of episodes were a bit of an effort to wade through. I didn't really know precisely what was happening nor to whom. After that, however, I got far more immersed into the action and contrivances that led the local cops a merry dance. I didn't guess who the actual murderer was although I should have.

One aspect that was really well handled was the portrayal of postnatal depression. It didn't impinge on the crimes but every police procedural needs a back story.

I've reread this and moved the mark down to a five from a six. I would neither advise people to watch nor not to.

Complex and initially a bit slow to take off it certainly packs a punch by the end. All similar dramas share a little bit of artistic licence and this is no exception. Like many contemporary productions in this area no one would want it to be based on fact. Written by the actor plating Anita I have to feel she has crafted a great role for herself. Some of the make up for injuries is very realistic and might put off some viewers. One review suggests gratuitous sex or nudity. This not a valid criticism. In context this is obviously an adult drama and no normal adult would find anything here remotely problematic. Well worth viewing.

Twice as long as it needed to be with a lead character who makes you wonder how she made it to detective give how she disobeys orders and acts like a spoilt child. Other characters were paper thin overall a waste of time and does not show the Icelandic police in a great light. Hopefully it's a one season wonder that never sees the light of day again. The end was so predictable as to be laughable with more crime scenes contaminated by the lead character throughout the series. At the very least they could have given us a few more drone shots of the fabulous Icelandic countryside which would have made this a little more acceptable.

Ignore the negative reviews and watch it for yourself. I did and was rewarded with a rich viewing experience and a show i could hardly "put down".

There is something to be said about shows that go at a glacial pace for a reason without being boring. It's this "slowness" that allows you to fully absorb what is happening on screen because there is nothing that feels like a filler and every element adds something.

Granted, i was initially sceptical and didn't gel with the main protagonist but that didn't last long. But best of all, the show didn't feel too formulaic like some other Nordic noir series.

Funny some reviewers say there were too many episodes. I got to ep 7 and couldn't believe there was only one left.

Brilliant, black and bleak like the Icelanders (and Nordics) do best.