Commandant Bäckström

There's a tongue-in-cheek irreverence to this - I love how employees freely talk back to their bosses - yet it still manages to tell an interesting tale. The script is brisk and avoids much of the soap opera backstory that kills so many productions. Kjell Bergqvist is perfect as the irascible but brilliant lead. The supporting cast doesn't disappoint. To top if off, the cinematography and palette are pleasing to the eye. It's all presented with low-key direction that lets the actors and action breathe, punctuated with some above-average CGI effects to mix it up.

What a breath of fresh air. Layered character development and outstanding performances PLUS a great mystery to unravel. The dialogue is mostly in Swedish and German but I became so engrossed in the story that I did notice the sub-titles after the first few minutes.

The title character, Backstrom (sorry cannot manage the umlauts), is introduced as somewhat of a genius, a celebrity/detective specializing in murders and starring in a television show in which he discusses his cases. He is a little rude and rubs many the wrong way.

I watched it on Acorn but see it can also be viewed in the US on Amazon Prime.

Definitely worth watching.

Surprised at some of the low ratings here. This is a very different, very enjoyable series. True to life? Well I hope not, but very entertaining. And I liked the acting. Not hammy and 'deep' in the usual American way, but natural - except for the lead, who always plays his character as an arrogant but brilliant a#$hole, which is the way he should be played.

Less frantic editing/talks. less episodes. better overall. more compelling. Main actor is very arrogant but much more credible in Euro version. recommended.

I don't get where the low ratings are coming from. This a unique, excellent crime mini-series made in Scandinavia, with some location shots in Thailand. Backstrom is a bit of a scoundrel, not unlike Sherlock Holmes, but he is a terrific investigator. A device the Director uses frequently: Backstrom re-constructs a scene in his head & we watch it replay with him (a little like the true crime series, HOMICIDE HUNTER, JOE KENDA). He has great instincts, but he cuts corners and ticks off a Chief Prosecutor, an ambitious blond lady who, in turn, is determined to bring Backstrom crashing down to earth.

Driving the mini-series are 2 crimes: an armed heist of an armoured vehicle in Sweden, and a murdered Oriental woman whose skull is found on a small island. The DNA in the skull matches that of an Oriental female who died in a Tsunami 5000 miles away! What could the solution be? While Backstrom walks over, through or around his superiors, determined to find the answers, his enemies at home plot his demise-but it won't be easy: Backstrom has powerful friends everywhere.

9/10 after 5 episodes.. looks like another binge for me...