Arne Dahl – The Complete First Season.
Starring Malin Arvidsson, Irene Lindh, Claes Ljungmark, Shanti Roney, Magnus Samuelsson, Matias Varela and Niklas Åkerfelt.
SYNOPSIS:
An elite team of detectives are assembled to solve a series of high-priority, violent crimes.
The reputation and allure of Scandinavian crime and mystery television (or ‘nordic noir’) has been steadily growing since the break-out success of 2007’s Forbrydelsen. This was the Danish and cross Scandinavian production that made it over the waters renamed – and eventually remade in America – as The Killing.
Since Sarah Lund’s grim and gripping adventures, there have been a number of followers. Usually shown in the UK on BBC4, the quality of the Nordic imports remains remarkably high. The Bridge and earlier work such as Unit One and The Protectors have shown that addictive TV can appear in partnership with near cinematic artistry.
This is even true when production teams move away from the darker territory into other waters; such as the political intrigue of the class act of Danish show Borgen.
Into this elaborate and animated cross country dynamic comes the 10 episode first series of Arne Dahl.
Based on the crime stories of Jan Arnald (the title comes from his pseudonymous and near anagrammed pen name), the show is based on a core A-team of troubled yet talented specialised police members assembled from across Scandinavia.
Brought together in Stockholm, under the imperious gaze of inspector Jenny Hultin (Irene Lindh), the team are tasked with the unusual and the international crimes beyond the scope of regular law enforcement.
The six members are all wildly different in capabilities, character and personal problems; yet they somehow manage to work together in a (usually) successful and believable fashion.
The tension and drama is kept up to the max throughout each story, which at 2 x 90 minutes per story could be seen as something of a commitment. It is one that is well worth it however, with details, links and themes emerging into the web-like ongoing plots that are masterly formulated.
As yet another example of the quality televisual work going on in this part of northern Europe, Arne Dahl can stand toe to toe with the best of the bunch.
Robert W Monk is a freelance journalist and film writer.
Originally published June 10, 2013. Updated April 11, 2018.
