Twin

The problem with crime related drama these days is that as soon as one becomes hooked into a fascinating crime one discovers you must also subscribe to the intense personal dramas of the detectives. Really you are getting two dramas in one. Then there are shows like Missing (2014) and Twin, where the crime is really only the catalyst to the personal drama. To me, this is more believable than current all out catch-a-killer dramas. Twin is easily one of the best new shows of crime inspired personal drama tv shows. The story is full of edge and tense situations, with the two leads proving their competence. This is a brilliantly cast drama. The children are also interesting, a rebellious teen and an adopted toddler. Imagine a poor bachelor thrown into that! This show is a whole new level of keeping secrets. Indeed, if I have a criticism is that there are too many secrets. Set in idyllic fjords, with interesting indie songs here and there, and quite a few action sequences, not least to mention a dedicated surfing culture in what must be the coldest surf spot on the planet, Twin has everything you need for an all night binge.

The idea of a story where a man impersonates his identical twin sounds intriguing; unfortunately, 'Twin' doesn't quite manage to pull it off. It relies, as many dramas seem to do, on characters acting irrationally after being involved in events where they fear they might be liable to criminal prosecution. There's just no real meat to the story; we see a fraud of convenience, designed to be conducted only in the short term, and in the full knowledge of the one character who might otherwise be most affected by it. There's a back story - the difficult prior relationship of the two brothers - but we never really get to the bottom of that either. There are some good ideas, notably the view the protagonist gets of his own real life from an outside perspective; but overall the setup is just too contrived. The north Norwegian scenery at least provides a stunning backdrop to the tale.

An enjoyable and, for me, entertaining Nordic Drama. Really wish people wouldn't give away the ending in their Reviews such a "Mundane Ending" "lousy Conclusion". etc The ending is not given away but the heading is enough to ruin it. John W

Nordic storytelling and pace. So if you enjoy other Nordic drama, you'll enjoy this one.

Erik and Adam are identical twins living in the north of Norway; they have become somewhat estranged as Adam, who works and is married with two children, sees Erik, who lives in a beat-up camper van and spends his time surfing, as a bit of a wastrel. One day Erik crashes his camper into the fjord and seeks financial help from Adam... this leads to a fight which ends when Adam's wife, Ingrid, hits him with a plank. They think he is dead so take the body away on a boat; it is lost in a storm... when it is found the police think it must be Erik. Now Erik and Ingrid try to pretend that he is Adam. Will he be able to convince people that knew him well that he is really his brother?

It must be said this series does require one to suspend ones disbelief somewhat; Erik and Adam may both be played by the excellent Kristofer Hivju but it is hard to believe that nobody would suspect they are talking to the other twin; even his daughter and close friends. That said if you can get past that the series is a lot of fun. There are moments of dark comedy and good dramatic tension. The cast does a fine job and the spectacular scenery certainly adds to the enjoyment of the show.

These comments are based on watching the series in Norwegian with English subtitles.