Jana - Märkta för livet

I watched it all and more fool me.

Just the premisses we are expected to swallow are unbelievable. Chief prosecutors break the law, eminent psychiatrists prescribe illegal medicines, trainee prosecutors break into private and commercial properties. All this is against a backdrop of a Svengali figure training and controlling an army of Bene Gesserit-like fighting children.

One might say these kids were hidden in plain sight but their base is just about the most ridiculous one imaginable. Where would their food have come from in this industrial wasteland?

Contrived climaxes and discoveries abound. There's no actual detective work at all. Lucky coincidences lead to the next episode of ridiculousness. Horrifyingly, there's a semi cliffhanger at the end. We might be subjected to more of this nonsense.

"Jana" is a mesmerizing journey into the world of crime fiction, where the intricate characters and gripping storyline of Emeli Schepp's novels come alive on the screen. From the very first scene, viewers are drawn into the complex web of suspense and intrigue that surrounds Jana Berzelius, a character whose depth and complexity are brilliantly portrayed by the talented cast.

The director's meticulous attention to detail shines through in every frame, creating a rich and immersive atmosphere that transports audiences into the heart of the story. Each character is brought to life with nuance and depth, making it impossible not to become emotionally invested in their fates.

What sets this adaptation apart is its ability to seamlessly weave together elements of mystery, drama, and suspense, keeping viewers on the edge of their seats until the very end. From the smallest gestures to the grandest revelations, every moment is crafted with care and precision, ensuring that no detail is overlooked.

One of the most remarkable aspects of the series is its ability to hint at events from the past, adding layers of depth and complexity to the storyline. These subtle nods not only enrich the viewing experience but also serve to deepen our understanding of the characters and their motivations.

Overall, "Jana" is a captivating adaptation of Emeli Schepp's Jana Berzelius series brought to life on screen is a must-watch for fans of crime fiction and mystery. With its compelling characters, intricate storyline, and masterful direction, it is sure to leave a lasting impression on audiences everywhere.

Okay, this series has some major flaws. First, the way her adopted parents treat her traumatic childhood - I mean the level of ignorance displayed is a little hard to believe for highly educated, affluent people. Very surprising, given her adopted father's profession. I mean, no real effort given to find out why she was traumatized. I mean, come on..... Second, the treatment she received for her trauma. Why so secretive?

And, finally the biggest problem with the series and why I believe it lead to the many negative reviews. The series is just to short for the storyline being covered. I believe several of the mental leaps that you have to make and lack of fleshing out of the main character are due to it only being six episodes. Both a complex main character and storyline needed that.

So be prepared. If you can ready yourself for these, then you'll have a very enjoyable experience.

It's billed as a ( sort of ) detective series ? It's absolutely nothing of the sort ! What annoyed me the most ( there is a lot of it that's annoying, sadly ) Is the lighting , the direction around it and a lot of mumbled dialogue . It tries from the very outset to be edgy and atmospheric, but fails lamentably . The acting is some of the poorest I've seen in an age ; Madeleine Martin ( try as she might ) is no Sofie Grabol , not even close and there are several other peripheral characters who are just as inept . Will we ever get another fantastic Scandi noir again ? The days of The Bridge and The Killing seem very distant indeed.

Had this been presented with a more sci-fi slant than it was, I might've found it easier to believe the lead character's strange and somewhat inexplicable actions through the series. Some of the dialogue is also quite stilted or unnatural, where Jana might give a better qualifying answer as to why she couldn't do something with her family at any time or other, her lack of this made her less likeable as a character and her motivations and the cohesiveness of her actions less questionable. Not really giving us any insight into the actual role of a prosecutor in the Swedish judicial system also reduces the believability of her actions throughout. It's not engaging enough to warrant further development because she wasn't likeable enough as a character. Her apartment is also far too fancy for a junior lawyer, regardless of her father's implied wealth and standing. The plot was somewhat far fetched too.