Ørnen: En krimi-odyssé

Series 1 & 2 was pretty good and similar in style to the tv show the Unit (which as was much better). It seemed to lose the plot towards the end of series 3, I'm not sure if they knew in advance there wasn't going to be a season 4 but the stories were rushed and main characters started acting out of character.

Despite the series is named after a leading character (a half-Icelandic half-Danish police officer named Halgrim Ørn Hallgrimsson, nicknamed Ørnen or the Eagle), the events are not totally focused on and related to him, allowing the other major characters be deliberated and contribute as well (unlike in the British interpretation of Wallander, for example). The viewers can share their feelings, recognize their human values through present and childhood, how their job affects their private life, see them making mistakes or misjudgments etc. Everyone has his or her role and place in the Unit, but they are all-rounders, not specialists in a narrow field. And there is no black-and-white depiction of the good and the bad.

Unlike most of crime series, the cases are related or arising from a certain case; this provides more reality to the events happening (it is not realistic when there are frequent crimes in a small city or parish), but - on the other hand - it is recommended to watch it chronologically and more often than weekly as there are constant references to past events and incidents. And as the Unit deals with crimes with international links, the members have to travel and have good contacts with partners in neighboring countries and from international organizations. I find it excellent that the creators had the desire and funds to film in respective locations and employ international actors speaking their mother tongue (Ørnen is multilingual, speaking at least 5 languages). The cast is evenly strong as well, including the finest Danish actress Ghita Nørby (as Thea Nellemann). And what a fine choice of music and references to Icelandic sagas and ancient mythology! Highly recommended, especially in countries with Nordic comprehension and background. Of course, you have to dedicate some time - there are 24 episodes each for about an hour.

This series is wonderful to watch. You come to love the characters and appreciate how the characters react to one another and to the circumstances in which they find themselves. Like all TV shows, it is difficult to believe that they can actually escape some of the situations they find themselves in, and there are some technical errors and plot holes, but I really enjoyed the "European" approach to crime and drama which you simply do not see in American shows (no ditzy lab assistant or "funny" characters). This series is not quite up to the standards of the Swedish "Girl" Trilogy, but it is thoroughly enjoyable. My actual rating would be 8.3 out of 10, but I don't have that choice.

This is great and a vacation to boot to watch. Saw it when it first came out but don't know HOW I saw it. Was not on Netflix.....no Netflix then or PBS offering. It is is a mystery!!!Cheers!

First off, I have no problem with subtitles. I know plenty of people that won't consider watching a non English speaking movie/TV that requires subtitles. Absolutely do not let that stop you from seeing this if you get the chance.

If you watch several episodes, you had better plan on watching all 3 seasons. You will be hooked. Be aware that the program flows from one episode to another. Some episodes can stand alone, though will not be nearly as good as when watched in sequence. There is a lot of intriguing suspense that is low key, not overly fast moving so one has time to savor it. Builds well. I highly recommend that you start from the beginning of the series if at all possible.

The recap of the previous episode, shown at the beginning of each, is well done and succinctly refreshes one's memory. Photography and editing are good, not a lot of jerky camera work and fast frame editing (personal peeve of mine). Lots of good scenery and locations in Scandinavian countries.

I won't go over each character, but IMO they are all well cast. Hallgrim, the "Eagle" is the lead character, but the writers manage well to keep him from overshadowing the others. He doesn't monopolize things. Marie, I found to be rather sexy in an understated way. Michael probably sets more than a few female viewer's hearts atwitter.

Hallgrim is a talented, driven man. But not without his all too human flaws, which give him some depth. That's another thing I liked about the treatment of the show's regulars, each has depth, not glib or two dimensional.

Don't start watching this unless you have at least the first season available. And start from the beginning!