Case

Although it definitely shows the underbelly of human nature, this dark crime show is much more gripping than other procedural dramas. There are graphic depictions of nearly everything, and yet the core characters are strong and well rounded. The acting is incredible on everyone's parts, and the frequent wide shots immerse you in the setting. The plot somehow manages to employ constant twists while keeping a coherent story and not dropping any loose ends. In fact, I found myself wondering, with four minutes left of the last episode, how in the world will they tie all this up. But the writers managed it, leaving their protagonist, Gabriela smiling, and also leaving a cliffhanger suggestive of another season. If you can stomach the things shown - I admit I had to pause it and give a few minutes to steel myself at times - then it is one hundred percent worth watching all the way through. To see all of these incredibly developed, multifaceted characters come to a conclusion in all of their different ways was truly a gift. You hate the baddies, you love the star detectives, and even the neutral characters hold onto your heart(or at least your thoughts). It was a pleasure to watch this show, and I'm sincerely hoping for another season.

SPOILER: "Case" is an Icelandic crime series, a spin off apparently from another show.

When a teenager, Lara, is found hanged, suicide is presumed, but one detective, Gabriella, is suspicious there might be another cause. Meanwhile the girl's parents have hired an attorney to investigate as well.

What is uncovered is a hot mess -- the young woman was a promising ballet student, and it is learned that the ballet master was not only a bully, but giving his students drugs.

Then there are videos on the Internet of some of the girls having sex, and a crime ring that is getting underage girls hooked on drugs and turning them into prostitutes.

This is a Wallander-type series - dark and depressing. It's also sexually graphic and a little on the slow side. At the end, there are some unresolved matters because there possibly was a season 2 or at least plans for one. There is a subplot involving the lead detective's sister who has some mental health issues. Actually the season ends on what may be the beginning of an entire new plot for her.

It's so interesting to watch something un-Hollywood - no one is glamoured up, and there is frontal nudity of men as well as women, which is unusual. It was also fascinating to see parts of Iceland and hear the language.

Good characterizations and acting are real highlights as well as a plot that will keep you guessing.

I have watched almost every single scandinavian crime series done in the last 6-7 years. Many of them are really great and some are acceptable. But among all of them I would rate this at the very bottom. So watch it only if you find absolutely no other alternatives in the genre. While most modern scandinavian series looks like they came right from the cinema with great cinematography this whole thing looks kind of cheap. And the whole thing feels a bit cheap too. There is something very odd and very off with the whole pacing. The plot is nothing special, it has few surprises, and it is hard to care for or root for any of the characters. The whole thing drags along in a very slow tempe. Which I usually dont mind that much if it builds up to something great. But this doesnt. Instead it makes you watch it spend at least half its running time watching drug addicts and a alcoholic whine, cry and being drunk/drugged down. And you dont really care what happens to them. Too little time is spent on the crime-aspect of this crimes-seires. This is the only scandinavian series I am sorry I didnt give up right away instead of suffering with it all the way through. After binge-watching this last weekend I was unsure if I wanted to watch anything at all this weekend. But thankfully I gave "Kalifat" a chance and that one is everything this is not. And it gave me my faith back in scandinavian crime-series.

It seems like 6 months since I watched an American made series. I have watched series from Mexico, Sweden, Finland and so on and they are uniformly excellent. Even though the dialog is foreign, I perfectly understand what is happening because the actors are so accomplished. I think Hollywood directors should spend about a year watching these offerings because they have a lot going for them. The Case is no exception. The director set just the right atmosphere and even though I've had a little trouble sorting out the Icelandic names I know what's happening. Keep em coming Netflix. Next on my list is Season 3 of the show about the Mexican soccer team. That is a great series too.

Of all the Nordic Noirs this one is the least attractive. Not one character makes a good decision, they all seem blasé as hell, fail at having common sense, have completely the wrong reactions...

Towards the last third of the series this obvious lack of realism becomes quite annoying...

Too bad, the story could be so much more.