In 1988, Barnum(Cleve Broch, author with writer's block and low self-worth) is by himself, in a hut on Røst. 1987, he's with Vivian(Kittelsen, very in love with him and she wants a child with him), they just moved in together. In 1945, on the day of liberation in Norway(the setting for all of this), our story starts proper, with the conception of his half-brother, Fred(Kjosås, an anti-social former promising boxer, who, we are told, later disappeared. He's also one of the two most compelling characters
the other is his step-father Arnold(Øigarden, charismatic, and we're not quite sure what he does during the day, and where his money come from)). These three timelines will meet, and we will learn a lot about everyone's background, several generations(albeit the stubborn reliance on age make-up over recasting can be awkward). It's mostly linear with a few flashbacks. In part, it is a detective story, a search for a missing male relative.
The rest of the perfectly cast(everyone gives absolutely solid performances, even the child actors) group of main characters are well worth mentioning, as well. Their mother Vera(Hole, often repressed but doesn't take just anything), her mother Boletta(Nielsen, "fun"), her mother and matriarch Den Gamle('the old one', Nørby, speaks her mind and protects the three generations in a house that, for a very long time, is without a man). All they have left of the latter's late husband is a letter detailing a hunt. It's about relationships, sometimes abusive, between people, family members, friends. Themes include the importance of the formative years, people having children to fix their own messed up childhood and the worth of a child to its parent(s). Everyone in some way in their specific situation, and hurt in different ways, by different people. Young men shunned by their fathers may pull away from the outside, and possibly becoming dangerous, detached – the importance of a strong male role model cannot be overstated.
This is complex, such as in the psychology. It is at its best when the focus is on family: tense, atmosphere-laden and addictive. It smoothly mixes in quirk and black comedy. There is some social realism. It does assume the viewer has knowledge of the culture and recent history of Norway and Denmark. There are weak links along the way: a couple of episodes end in essentially the same way, and near the otherwise satisfying conclusion, it loses something. I have not read the novel that this is an adaptation of.
There is a lot of disturbing(some of it sexual) content and strong language, as well as some bloody, brutal violence in this. I recommend this to anyone who enjoys drama. 8/10
