Slutet på sommaren

I recently binge-watched the first four episodes of End of Summer (Slutet på sommaren) when they were released and now I binge-watched the last 2 , couldn't stop until I finished them.

What truly sets End of Summer apart is its ability to weave together a gripping thriller with a deeply emotional narrative. It's not just about uncovering what happened-it's about exploring grief, guilt, and the long-lasting effects of unresolved trauma. The story doesn't shy away from raw emotions, making the stakes feel incredibly personal.

The acting in End of Summer is nothing short of phenomenal. The entire cast brings a level of authenticity and emotional depth that elevates the series to another level. Vera, portrayed with remarkable nuance, is a character who draws you in with her determination and vulnerability as she unravels the mystery. Her performance anchors the series, making every twist and revelation feel personal and impactful.

The supporting cast is equally impressive, each actor delivering layered and compelling performances. From the subtle expressions that hint at hidden secrets to the moments of raw emotion, the cast captures the complex dynamics of family, grief, and guilt with finesse. Their chemistry and the interplay between characters create an immersive and emotionally resonant experience.

The direction is top-notch, balancing moments of intense suspense with heartfelt drama. The pacing is perfectly executed, unraveling the mystery in a way that keeps you guessing without feeling rushed or overly complicated. Every scene feels purposeful, building toward a satisfying and unexpected resolution.

The series masterfully transitions between two eras , capturing the fashion, atmosphere, and cultural nuances of both eras perfectly. The small details, like the lighting, music, and set design, immerse you in the timeline shifts without feeling forced or exaggerated.

Overall, End of Summer is a beautifully crafted series that delivers on every level. It's intelligent, suspenseful, and emotionally resonant-a must-watch for fans of character-driven mysteries.

Absolutely great mini series, one of the best Swedish ones I have even seen. The storyline, the plot and the acting from the main characters were just spot on. As for myself, the final twist on what had really happened with the boy was something I had never seen coming. Highly recommendable, can be watched in a couple of evenings time!

This Swedish drama opens in the summer of 1984 as young Vera witnesses her mother committing suicide by jumping into a lake. Twenty years later Vera is working as a grief councillor. A man, identifying himself as Isak talks about how he recently learnt that he was adopted; one of his only early memories concerns the disappearance of a childhood friend. Vera starts to wonder if Isak could in fact be her young brother Billy who vanished shortly before her mother's death. Returning to her rural home town with Isak she tries to discover what happened to her brother. Everybody seems to think local ne'er-do-well Tommy killed him before disappearing himself but is it that simple?

I thought this was a really solid series. There was a good sense of mystery and an impressive '80s feel to the numerous extended flashback scenes. The truth is gradually revealed and doesn't become guessable until it is almost time for the reveal; and even then it is a case of 'I think this might have happened' rather than certainty. The cast impresses, most obviously Julia Ragnarsson who does a fine job as Vera. Six episodes in length it doesn't feel rushed, nor does it ever drag. The setting is great; the flashback scenes beautifully captured the languid feel of childhood summers years ago. Overall I'd certainly recommend this to fans of Scandinavian drama.

A family with a dark past lies at the centre of Swedish drama 'End of Summer'. As with many thrillers, the story is somewhat contrived, but actually well put together: given what had happened, it makes broad sense that the characters think and acts as they do at the start of the tale, allowing the revealing of the mystery in a plausible and gripping way. Where it's less strong is how it gets the investigation going: the protagonist is a beautiful, brilliant grief therapist, who has taken up this career, bizarrely, because she has never overcome her own grief at the truamatic events of her youth. This is both hackneyed and ridiculous, and the early episodes feel very contrived. Only as the story moves on, and we can forget how it started, does it start to become compelling.

Swedish with English subtitles on BBC4.

6 Episodes, just the right amount.

Refreshingly, no Woke storylines or references.

I enjoyed this drama. It kept to the main storyline with no padding subplots.

Yes, there were some flaws, but most dramas suffer in the same way these days.

The one criticism is the overplaying of Harald's character. It was made quite evident throughout that he was complicit in some way, and the way he was allowed to have access to the police investigation and most other things was irritating.

There were no real surprises at the end. My wife and I had worked out after episode three roughly what happened to Billy and Tommy.

Another drama where justice is not seen to be done and lone females going into derelict buildings.

Spookily, Julia Ragnarsson (Vera) is a dead ringer for somebody we know. It was uncanny.

Ida Gyllensten (Magdalena) looks a lot like UK actress Anna Friel. They could easily play sisters.