Når støvet har lagt sig

A danish crime/drama centering around a presumed terror attack in Copenhagen, this drama clearly lends inspiration from the actual attacks in Paris on Nov 13 2015 and in Norway on July 22 2011. Still, it is very relevant as it maintains its significance while interpreting the effects of the attack on the people to a contemporary Danish point of view. Most of the series focuses on the different characters with relevance to the actual terror attack (victims, perpetrators and relatives). The drama is well told, even though some of the episodes might be a little too stretched out. Still, this is some of the best contemporary crime/drama I've seen from Denmark in a while, and it's a solid 9.5/10.

I was honestly in two minds as to whether I'd carry on after watching episode one. I'm glad I did. The first episode is rather slow and it's difficult to discern what's going on and why, as well as who is who. However, that's a function of the solidity of the roll-out of the story. It's a foundation to what comes after and even though it's a bit plodding, it was essential to have done it this way. Episode two and after were far livelier and moved more quickly as we had a sense of the characters and what they were doing, what their ideas and motivations were.

It's really important to say that this is not a police procedural series. We see aspects of the investigation but only fleetingly and generally through the Justice Minister's eyes. The programme is an account of the lives of people who are victims of a terrorist outrage or of their friends and/or relatives affected by the incident. When we find out who the perpetrators are, it's almost incidental to the human drama that has been and is being played out.

That's not to say that there were no over-the-top coincidences and events in the programme. I don't want to be specific, to avoid spoilers, but I don't believe that any Justice Minister in a Western democracy would have acted the way she did or even have been allowed to do so by her civil servants. I also find it hard to believe that the video was handed to the police so late in the series as well as the subsequent relationship that developed after the "right" thing was done. Danish cops also seem to have no idea or database of stolen vans or cars which I don't believe.

Nonetheless, I binge watched. I was rivetted. I'd seen all of it in two days. I was sorry that it had ended. Ten episodes was right though.

Just one warning, on the version I watched, the subtitles switched to Danish for the last five minutes of episode three. As I speak Swedish (mediocrely), I was able to decipher what was going on from the text which is easier than understanding spoken Danish for me.

I'd love to know what happened in the future to the people portrayed but I accept that this is a one season series. There would not be enough dramatic tension for a second season. Fortunately, we have our imaginations.

I like the fact that the characters were developed before and after the catalyst event. For those who say "it's too slow", I'd like to ask "What were you looking for? Car chases and crime solved in 1 episode?" This is NOT that sort of show. Less crime show than character-driven drama. I really enjoyed it.

So well made! Danish know how to make good wellplayed series. The cast are awsome!

A lot of reviewers say the characters are hard to empathise with, but I wonder if they watched the whole series.

The show isn't about hitting plot points, it ACTUALLY goes deeper into the complexity of the human condition, especially in the face of tragedy. It was superbly crafted story telling and the actors were incredible. Even those playing minor roles were super engaging.

This is definitely a show for people who aren't into being spoon fed as an audience. You do have to investigate yourself, open your mind, and watch the transformation of these characters, and sometimes sit with the discomfort as they work it out.

Watch it 100% It's pretty damn good.