Modus

Very enjoyable. 1st series was excellent. 2nd series has an interesting and bold plot. A little spoiled by the terrible acting of Greg Wise (a real 'ham' actor) and wholly unconvincing accent (a poor imitation of 'Dr House'). Good Nordic Noir

This doesn't meet the higher standards I'm used to in watching Scandinavian shows (The Bridge, The Killing, Borgen, etc.). Frankly, it comes across as a a more lazy American version. Too bad.

The police work is laughable, which is a shame as the production is quite good. There are so many times when we had to laugh at how ridiculous the plot was, how unlikely the events, the total lack of police and security in what is a major crime of global proportion. The oh so bad opening song gives you a taste of what's to come.

IMO, Season 2 was much better than Season 1. If I were to rate each season separately, Season 1 would rate a 5-6, and Season 2 would be an 8. So, if you are OK with the first season, hang in there for the second and you'll be rewarded.

'The Killing' established a certain template for Scandinavian crime drama: dark, moody, intense, understated, and with a tough, and not conventionally feminine, leading female protagonist. The recipe was followed pretty much exactly in 'The Bridge'; and many of the same elements are also present in 'Modus'. But for my money, 'The Killing' was great because of brilliant acting (and occasionally writing), rather than because it unlocked inherently magic elements, and for me, 'Modus' falls a bit flat. It's one thing to tell a complex multi-part story of a criminal investigation, one which impacts upon the private lives of its characters; but it's another to make this into a cohesive story, one which makes intrinsic sense and makes the viewer care beyond the latest twist. And to my mind, any plot based upon the idea of the serial killer with the premeditated plan is at a disadvantage even before it starts. 'Modus' isn't awfully done, and maybe I'm just a bit Scandi'd out, but it certainly lacks the freshness that the first season of 'The Killing' such a success.