Badehotellet

I was introduced into this series by an acquaintance who had me watch it and I loved it instantly.

It is a "light" TV show set in the aftermath of Danish Belle-Epoque, during the 20s, in a charming, little seaside hotel in the middle of nowhere run by a hateful, miser landlord and his struggling, hardworking wife, with a small entourage of country-side chamber maids and parlour maids.

They host the same bunch of guests every year and their stories get intertwined with those of the local villagers, in a very particular period of European history, just before the stock market crash of the 29 and when Hitler was a rising promise in Germany.

There is a half-comedy, half-drama tempo in the show, and perhaps this middle ground is the issue here: either you like this melange or it won't be convincing for you.

If you like the period and enjoy Danish shows, you will probably like it a lot. The screenwriters are very well known and skilled authors, and although it doesn't climb to the top of Nordic programmes and it lacks a little depth, it is well produced and acted, and the stories have interest for all audiences.

It is an 8 for me.

Marvelous series with something for everyone. Wish that there were longer shots of the food. Will see if website gives food credits. Would love to make some of those delightful-looking dishes.

This is the best Danish shower ever made. Good acting, good dialogues and a lot of good humor.

Everything about this series will appeal to those who enjoy likeable characters, good storylines, humor and light drama. I've watched it three times in less than a month, seasons 1-5. A fantastic escape from the weird world we are living in. I highly recommend this series. It does have subtitles. No violence. One of the best series I've watched in decades. Love it!!!

Although in some ways it's a series in search of a category, as it's part French Farce, part drama, part romance, and part sit-com, this is a smorgasbord of entertainment with something for everyone. Loose ends abound as characters appear then disappear without explanation, and plot lines dead-end into illogical brick walls, but that doesn't seem to matter as the relationships unfold and complications arise. It's completely enjoyable and entertaining, light and silly at times, deep and thought-provoking at others, unafraid to take on significant issues such as unwanted pregnancy and sexual identity, but balancing them against comic antics and slamming doors of questionable virtue. Nudity disappears as the series develops, but there's never any foul language, really, and while the characters smoke and behave normally for the late 1920s, it remains otherwise circumspect. The one thing missing is a link to a food recipe source; the dishes prepared in the hotel's kitchen are intriguing and look delicious. I'd like to try some of them.