Okkupert

This is a great well done show, very dark but with bright daylight action that doesn't fatigue you. The scenario is great and acting convincing. It's dystopian but still so real and feels so... Like it's all ready happening.

Go for it, it's a good one. I will update my score as I proceed with the series. So far so good so great!

Critics seem to be getting hung up on the realism of the set up for this series. Is it realistic that Russia would undertake a 'soft' invasion of a small European country after critical energy production was stopped in response to climate change, and would NATO sit back and allow it to happen on their doorstep? Probably not, but that's not what this brilliant political thriller is really about. If a more powerful country invaded YOUR country, would you resist, would you keep your head down and try to 'get along' with the invaders if they kept promising to leave but didn't, what compromises would you make to try to avoid a full blown military invasion and loss of life. At what point would you decide that 'enough's enough'? When you see someone openly shot in the street by the occupiers? When free press is shut down? Vichy France, Russia's recent forays into the Ukraine and Hong Kong being handed back to China, all spring to mind. Viewers need to get over the likelihood or otherwise of the basic premise of this series, and just enjoy a really well written, well acted mini series that keeps you in a state of nervous suspense. One that makes you think about history, current world events and future possibilities. How far would you allow yourself to be pushed around before you decided to push back?

A bold series with an impactful premise, that was refreshingly enjoyable. At times, melodramatic and tainted with soap opera-ish situations and conversations, but most of the time consistent and true to its base nature and screenplay.

Truthfully speaking, I expected more from it. More character, more shininess and a brighter ending. It was mild, juggled with many sub-plots, got confused on the way, wasn't brought to a satisfying closure and begged for a tying and finishing season 4!

• Screenplay/story: 9
• Development: 9
• Realism: 9
• Entertainment: 9
• Acting: 9
• Filming/cinematography: 9
• Special effects: 9
• Music/score: 8.5
• Depth: 8.5
• Logic: 7
• Flow: 8
• Suspense/thrill: 8.5
• Ending/closure: 7

It was a fun and appealing ride, but could have been more impactful and shocking, had it stuck to a rawer screenplay and development with less dramatization. In one word, needed to be more brutal.

P.S. The Statoil building looks fine, interesting and futuristic to me. A semi-crazy architectural achievement. I guess, it's a question of taste!

It has been criticized by other reviewers, that the plot is not plausible. In a situation, where the energy supply is decreasing it might well be plausible to force Norway to keep supply up. The reason for Russia to do that must not necessarily be an economical one. The force used to direct Greece is an example for what happens in a situation where a small country is not following the dominating powers' interest. The Prime Minister in "Occupied" faces a situation where he cannot keep his promises for the sake of avoiding disaster. This is again a situation similar to what happened in Greece (avoiding the "Grexit"). The point is that the plot is plausible in the sense that is not contradictory and is based on assumptions that are not arbitrary. The series also shows the dilemmas faced by different persons in different contexts. There is a journalist who wants to report the truth but is told by his wife and the prime minister to be responsible. This is a dilemma everyone of us might face (depending on the circumstances).

Very good and complex story writing! I don't get the bad reviews that criticize that the plot is illogical. I think it is very well thought-out if one accepts the premise: Norway wants to quit the oil production and the EU and Russia don't like it. Hej, it's fiction - just like the Zombie-Apocalypse in the Walking Dead - so get over it! Then the interesting things start to happen. If one considers the situation that a small country such as Norway faces when it is caught in the middle of forces out of their control, there really is not much Norway can do on their own. It all depends on what Russia, the EU and the US do. And all of these play their role in this scenario representing their own interests. And of course there is some resistance from the Norwegian population, even terrorism. But there is no obvious good or bad side. To all the Russians: the role Russia plays is not ALL bad. Yes, they are the bad guys that occupy Norway, but actually the EU started the whole conflict and the US do everything so they don't have to intervene. So everyone of the big players is an asshole. I am looking forward to see a second season.