Herrens veje

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.

(My first review on IMDb. This series deserves more than the 1 whiny review of the first episode mostly about the supposedly bad colour balance.)

I recently watched Season 1 - all there is so far, as of early 2018. Based on the voting for other series on IMDb, this should be mid 8s or higher. It's easily as good as writer Adam Price's earlier creation Borgen - which has justifiably raving reviews on here and is one of my all-time favourite series.

Thank you to him and everyone involved. This is an intelligent, profound, gripping series, addressing the most important things in life in a serious way, yet joy is never too far away. It's not essentially bleak or noirish.

Lars Mikkelsen is amazing as the troubled priest-patriarch Johannes. He's given space here to show what he can do, and he's astoundingly good. This will hopefully silence those who thought his brother Mads a better actor. The rest of Johannes' family are outstanding performances too. One son, a priest, goes to a war zone with the Danish army, and his life is forever changed. The other son, exuberant and somewhat ethically-challenged, goes travelling to the Himalayas with a friend, and his life is forever changed. Ann Eleonora Jørgensen as Johannes' long-suffering wife is also excellent.

I can't wait until the next season! I can't think of anything negative to say about it at all. It's about family, Danish traditions, religion (without being particularly pro- or anti-religion), one's values in life, kindness, happiness, betrayal, angst, personal transformations, one's calling in life, love etc. I read a very good Adam Price interview where he says the show was aimed to get people talking about religion, not to present any particular point of view. It's a fascinating look at religion, from many perspectives. Also there's a hallucinogenic drug party, a same-sex love affair, haunting visions, near-death experiences; can't go wrong.

Extremely gripping, emotional, funny, touching. In short: WATCH IT!!

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!

I am normally quite fussy about what I watch and I didn't have high hopes of this one, since there have so many Scandi noir knocks offs just done by the numbers. But this is different. A fine cast, great script even in translation and high production values impressed me. Melodramatic yes, but in a way that draws you in and creates empathy for even the least likable characters. Anyone who has been involved in any kind of organisation will recognise the dynamics at play here. This is not a simplistic heart tugger but plays out the human condition with real heart and nuance. I was so pleased to note that another series exists but don't know when channel 4 will get it...

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.