Livstid

Gimmicky time-splicing story (present-day and 30 years hence) never comes together. The 1-episdoe, 45-minute mysteries are thin; the over-arching story involving the future of our protagonist just becomes irritating, Ultimately, I was glad to be done this show (left hanging, predictably) and would not care to see a second series.

I am a fan of Nordic crime series. They are entertaining and even with low budget they are usually well played and well composed. But this one is terrible, uninteresting, and all actors are almost painful to watch. It seems obvious that they do not seem convinced by the amateurish dialogues. If you add that there is a background story happening 10 years later, badly connected to the rest of the episodes, it becomes pretty unwatchable. Without another season, and I doubt there will be one, it will remain a dead project making no sense whatsoever.

I just need to figure out the link between the current and the future. There's said to be a hint in each episode. Devold is the obvious connection, but I wonder how and why. Hope for a second season!

Terrible story line. Terrible acting. Terrible characters.

Livstid begins with a gripping premise: decorated Oslo detective Victoria Woll is serving a life sentence, and the series unfolds in dual timelines to reveal how she got there. Played with stoic intensity by Tone Mostraum, Woll leads a quirky but capable team of investigators while quietly battling systemic corruption and betrayal from within - notably from her superior, Jan Devold.

Each episode features a standalone case, while the overarching mystery of Woll's imprisonment builds in parallel. While this structure allows for variety, it occasionally undercuts narrative cohesion. The prison timeline is too lightly developed in early episodes, which weakens the dramatic payoff.

The acting is more than decent - Mostraum's expressive performance stands out, despite a script that leans on clichés. Supporting characters, like the eccentric Kit Lange and the tech-savvy Dozer, add colour but feel underutilised. The Series builds tension with slow reveals, but pacing issues and a lack of resolution frustrate. By the end of episode eight, you are left with more questions than answers.

Fans of Nordic noir might find enough intrigue in the weekly cases and moody Oslo setting to stick with it. However, the inconsistent writing, uneven tone, and a finale that fails to deliver on the show's potential may leave other viewers disappointed. Livstid shows flashes of promise, but ultimately buckles under the weight of its own ambition.

All in all: watchable, but best for genre enthusiasts with tempered expectations.