Case

In the great tradition of bleak crime shows such as Wallander, Case is an atmospheric procedural cop show that is very addictive. The heart of men, the innocence of youth, and the fish-out-of-water female cop are tropes we've seen before, but they are combined here to make a great series. Characters are bathed in the Icelandic summer sun that never sets and are drawn realistically: no one is either all good or all bad; and everyone is guilty of something. It makes a very binge-able show that is highly intelligent, even if there are some plot holes regarding the cops' behaviors and procedures that are less than believable. High marks to the actors, particularly the lead cop Gabriela and the alcoholic, perverse and dogged Logi. The 9th and last episode ends with the opening of another story line about Gabriela's amnesiac/brain-damaged? sister. It makes me hope for a season 2. Case isn't a masterpiece like Wallander and other Midnight Sun shows but it deserves respect.

As is the case with any new series, I always give it the benefit of the doubt. Yes, like many, I found it really slow and dull. I'm having trouble figuring out who is who because all the men look alike or they are so uninteresting that we don't care. A pretty young actress who was removed from her birth parents because of their stuff, is fund hanged in the theatre where she is in training. There appear to be a couple of men who seem to be up to no good. We also have a couple nondescript police officers and some less than forthcoming young women. The acting is sketchy and the plot, at this point, meandering.

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.

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.