| by Bel | 3.30pm NZ time |
Have you seen The Killing (Forbrydelsen)? You need to. This blog is a spoiler-free taster to the mystery of who killed Nanna Birk Larsen...
- Initial Bemusement
Why is it always raining? Why is it always nighttime? Does Sarah Lund only own one sweater? How does she manage to chew her nicotine gum in such an angry way? Is everyone in Denmark really this moody? Why is it always so dim in their police station? How come no one ever tries to turn on an overhead light at a crime scene and just uses their torchlight in a spooky way instead? Why do they all say 'Nanna Birk Larsen' in full every time? Nanna Birk Larsen. Nanna Birk Larsen. Nanna ... Birk Larsen.
- Captivation
There are 20 episodes in this series, each an hour long. You'll have to at least take a toilet break at some stage. But you won't want to. You will be awash with disproportionate anger when someone asks to pause it so they can put the kettle on or answer the phone or staunch the bleeding from the gaping wound on their leg. You have no time for such petty distractions! Lund is silently gazing into mid-air, face expressionless and yet conveying the thousand thoughts rushing through her mind. What if she blinks and you miss it!! - Brain-melting plot-twisting over-thinking
Although this whole show is about one case, it is far from a simple story. It twists and turns and just as things become clear... it gets murky again. It's testament to the strong writing and impeccable acting performances that this is only frustrating in the sense that you're deeply involved in the solving of this case yourself and want a resolution to your own ruminations and theories. We want peace for Nanna's family, resolution for Lund - and a rest for our own frazzled minds!
- SHOUTING!!
HE LOOKS SUSPICIOUS! SO SUSPICIOUS! OR POSSIBLY JUST GRIEFSTRICKEN
IT'S HIM! NO NO IT'S NOT! YES IT IS HIM! WAIT!
DON'T GO IN THERE IT'S DARK!
TURN ON A OVERHEAD LIGHT FOR PETE'S SAKE!
TROELS! GO GET YOUR BROTHER HE'LL SORT IT OUT!* - The moment you realise you are actually on the edge of your seat.
Like, physically, literally, actually uncomfortably perched on the edge of the couch where previously you were comfortably ensconced with multiple couch cushions, lurching forwards towards the screen and possibly even holding your breath as the music builds to a cresendo and then suddenly the closing credits for the episode appear.
*The role of Troels is played by Lars Mikkelsen. I hadn't noticed his name in the credits but watching I was like "Holy crapballs that guy looks like Cheekbones!" AKA Mads Mikkelsen AKA pretty much my favourite actor. And guess what, you guys, guess what. It's his BROTHER. I know!!
GASP!
And in answer to your question, why would you need another sweater when you had that one? Sweater envy...
(word verification is 'faugosm'. which I shall translate as 'the joy of discovering that your favourite actor has a brother')
I am so desparate to see this - it's this hot property on LoveFilm and one of my LoveFilm-addicted friends has had it on her list for yonks as the only high priority item and it always gutted when she comes home to find they've sent her something different, so now I have it on my list and high priority and really really want to get it first so I can be all smug. But it sounds like the sort of show where getting only one disc at a time could be a health risk...
Not to be too spoilery, but a few episodes in, she does actually wear a different sweater... although it is dark with white patterns, so we were debating whether it was just the same one turned inside out??
We watched two or three episodes a night. I think a marathon would mess with your head a bit, and it's quite fun having it drag out so you can enjoy it all the more!