The Bridge

The Scandi-dramas keep on coming on BBC4. This one is a corker. It's right up there with 'The Killing' - and that's saying a lot. OK, the story is not really credible, but it's a thriller, and that's what thrillers tend to be like. It fulfils the main criterion of a thriller: it's thrilling - and it kept me glued to the screen throughout (the subtitles actually help you to focus). The best thing about the serial is the characterisation and acting. Saga! What a character. What an original. How brilliantly played! As time went on she became more and more fascinating, and in the last two episodes... I can't explain without spoiling it for those who haven't seen it yet. Let me just say that it becomes very moving. What about her partner, Martin? At first he seems to be a jovial teddy bear of a family man, but he is gradually revealed as a much more complex person. The interplay between him and Saga is perfect. There are other good characters, too. The son, August, is excellently portrayed, and really comes up with the goods at the crucial time. Admittedly, there are weak points, such as two slightly pointless sub-plots/red herrings, and a killer whose doings are not terribly believable and whose role is not very convincingly acted. Some events are skated over and mysteriously ignored once they have happened. One suspect in particular is questioned in the most perfunctory way, to allow neatly for more mayhem. All that aside, it's fantastic. If you get the chance to see it, don't miss it.

To sum up in short: suspense, good acting, real empathy for the story line, great appropriate music, twists that keep you hooked wanting to keep going. The two leads are very different, and equally interesting and complex. The support cast is first rate, and the suspense just keeps building.Best drama/ mystery that I've seen for ages. Well worth it. By epp2 I was pleasantly surprised that it kept the intrigue up. By Epp3 I was thinking of ringing in sick for work to keep watching. If you like your mysteries to keep surprising you, and adding layers, and layers, then this is for you. There aren't the usual "holywood" dumbed down explanations at the end of each epp, instead it makes you keep thinking.I have to say that they have done a first rate job with the music score too.Although even without it, the storyline gives you plenty of emotional reaction.This is one show to set aside free time for, with out distractions. And just enjoy.

If you like the American version, it is heavily based on this one. However, the acting if far superior in the Swedish-Danish version, in fact I think it is one of the best cast series I have seen. If you can deal with the subtitles this is so much better. As you watch the show characters are introduced that seem to have little to do with the plot, but in a few episodes they become important. This is good in that you start to wonder what this character's involvement as the plot progresses. There is a grittiness to drama that is missing from US shows, with the characters being not such overly made-up dolls. It is interesting to see how the scenery differs from what once is accustomed to in the US. The third season was the most fantastic. Sofia Helin really showed what she is capable of as an actress as her character is put into extremely uncomfortable situations, and I Thure Lindhardt was also phenomenal with is character was having to deal with the loss of his family 6 years before and is having problems accepting the loss. The two interact so well.

First of all, everybody should no that am usually very critic of Swedish movie and series production (I generally thought like danish more) so it's absolutely not because of that, that i like this series. Specially I've been critical about the acting. And this is absolutely the opposite in this case. At first I didn't really understand Sofia Helins act, but as soon as I realized she is acting an person living with the diagnosis of "asperger, autism spectrum" it all changed for me. Her acting is actually genius, and if someone don't understand that, u should find out more about that condition because her acting is the opposite of what some other reviewers her call bad. I also liked the acting and the dept of the Kim Bodnia character which was combined of a good cop, trying to be a nice guy privately, which could work out a bit better. The story took a few nice turns, but sometimes it felt like to many.

I absolutely loved this series. The story is intriguing from the start: a corpse is found on the bridge between Denmark and Sweden, carefully positioned so that each half is in a different country. The story that evolves from there is satisfactorily complex, without getting silly, and full of suspense. There are a lot of interesting characters in the series, but the stars are the two investigators. Saga Noren, who clearly has a fairly serious Asperger syndrome, mixes an infuriating lack of understanding of people's feelings with an endearing innocence and admirable honesty. Martin Rohde, a more traditional investigator, is a man that often doesn't really think about the consequences of his actions,and is willing to break rules. The relationship between these two provides a lot of interest and plenty of really entertaining moments. Everything is greatabout this series - the story, the ending, the characters, the music,the photography (the night shots of the bridge and the city that are interspersed during the series are mesmerising). More like this please!

The Wire was gritty, politically interesting and great TV. Dexter had beautifully rounded characters; every one unique and interesting, quality acting and intriguing moral questions and there have been several other landmark quality TV productions. Bron or Broen absolutely takes the cake. I've never felt so fully immersed, so entertained and so gripped by film or TV. The complex and gradually emerging storyline, personal interactions, realistic action, the landscape scenes that demand freeze-frame for a second admiring look, the simply stunning acting that portrays the unusual but lovable Saga (many of who's comments trod a knife edge between humour and truth), beautiful music perfectly placed, characters you wished you knew. It just goes on... inspiring... genius. Written after episode #9 Now I've seen episode #10 I'll have to revise my ten stars to eleven. Don't miss this.

I guess reviewer Smockan didn't notice that Sofia Helins odd character had Aspergers Disorder which results in a very asocial behaviour. She don't know how to socialize or communicate in a normal fashion. She knows nothing about being diplomatic or "holding back". She's just barging in like a bulldozer. I've seen the first 9 episodes and was amazed by the exciting storyline, the twists and Kim Bodnias acting. Sofia Helins performance isn't top notch but the character is so amusing and hilarious so you cant do nothing but love her. as long as you don't have to meet her in real life. =) Those of you out there who just watched one episode and thought "this is crap. Cant stand watching this piece of *beeep*. Let's watch Wrestling instead" just don't know what you missed. This is a great crime series and it shows that Sweden and Denmark should co op more often when it comes to made for TV-drama.