Herrens veje

This was one of those shows where I thought, worth a try. After the first episode I thought, yeah not bad. Now I'm sitting up late watching the end of the last episode in season 1.

An intelligent, engaging, very human drama. Really good.

In the allegedly new yet oddly 1980-ish landscape of the old Dickensian format of the Series that is offered by the new era of streaming media; In an age where we are offered nothing new really than the old ballads of cartoon creatures battling for power - This exceptional story stands out a beacon, carried by a miraculous script and an otherworldly performance by lead actor Lars Mikkelsen. This series offers something new, something totally unheard of in its genre: Its arena is not the traditional opera stage with its designed caricatures preforming allegorical roles of intrigues serving to produce the drama. On the contrary, this is the drama of the opposing forces that resides within each individual character; the true stage of the battle of good against evil suitable for a religious topic like Herrens veje, but more importantly this should represent the challenge given us in any depiction of true human Endeavour: To represent the human drama as a drama within. Fear, shame, guilt, jealousy, love, these are not persons - They are aspects of each individual persons life.

I am not often deeply moved by screen drama, the only time up to now was by Bergman films. Now another Scandinavian screen drama has done it, this time TV by Adam Price. He touches on so many intellectual, emotional and spiritual triggers in this series with a story arc that soars. This is, without doubt totally unique screen drama without precedence. After watching 19 of the 20 episodes, I know it must end, but I am invested with every character. Its as if in seeing the last episode I am invited to their funerals, where I must mourn their passing from my life. Yup, its been that engaging. I feel changed by it, invigorated and exhausted, it was indeed deeply moving.

The Danes know how to tell a story and how to bring their characters to life. I slogged through the first 4 or 5 episodes but about then everything started falling into place and I was totally immersed in Danish National Church and life for the next five hours. I even caught myself thinking I understood what the characters were saying without reading the closed captions. Weird. I haven't decided whether or not to watch season two so I'll take some time out and watch a murder mystery. But, Season one was a total smash in my books. Thank you Netflix. I am continually amazed how much I have learned, watching foreign series, especially Danish, Mexican and French. I am a man of the world when I turn on Netflix.

As I like both Mads and Lars Mikkelsen, I am eager to see as many works with their participation as possible. I also know Danish and have lived in Denmark, but as for this series, I had my doubts prior to watching - being Agnostic and not really fond of long oppressive scenes and events - but then, from the 1st episode, I was captivated and it lasted through the end of Season 1 and mostly in the Season 2 as well (death of a certain character decreased my emotional support, and the pace decreased somehow).

Anyway, Lars Mikkelsen gives his so far best performance here, Ann Eleonora Jørgensen is at least as good as in Forbrydelsen... And all the others, mostly unknown to me, were well up to the task as well, rounding up a bunch of issues one could face in a half-closed community governed by higher power. Still, many topics addressed and human, general, and as Lutherans can start a family and the Danish society is modern to have female clerics as well, the overall picture is more balanced and versatile, surely more interesting than that of in a nonnery or monastery.

For performances - 10, for script - 8 points from me. Another success of the Danish TV world. Please proceed!