Any Borgen Watchers out There?

Thoroughly enjoying it too Graeme.

To be honest I dont blame the plumber (chauffeuer) for getting sidetracked, think I would have done the same in his shoes!

Oh yes yes yes.

As you may be able to deduce from my avatar, I am a huge fan. I think it's the best of the very good Scandi-dramas (The Killing, The Bridge, Wallender) we've been getting recently.

Who'd have thought that Danish coalition politics would be so gripping (although it helps I guess that the lead character is such a babe)?

I think a lot of its success is down to the quality of the writing and acting, which is uniformly superb. In Episodes 3 and 4 last weekend, I thought that Flemming Sørensen as ousted Labour leader Bjørn Marrot and Lars Brygmann as the ambitious and doomed Troels Höxenhaven were both magnificent.

And Sidse Babett Knudsen is just wonderful as the Statsminister.(Although I miss Bent Sejrø and Birgitte needs him back - I hope he returns soon).

Apparently Season 3, which is on in Denmark now, is to be the last. A pity, as I can't get enough of these characters - but best to finish on a high I suppose.

Along with "Mad Men" I think this is just about the best TV drama I've seen in the past 20 years.

I don't think she set out to seduce him G - I think it was the impulsive - if extremely foolish - act of a lonely woman who is separated from her beloved husband and kids. That sort of situation is extremely unlikely to happen in the USA or UK, but Denmark is a bit different. If you watch the episode again it's all impulsive, amost accidental, rather than a deliberae seduction.

Also, Borgen is really a human - as opposed to political - drama so I'm not sure that it's that unlikely - lonely woman boss gets it on with an employee then moves him to a different department...

Yes, one of my favourites. BBC4 at 9:00 on a Saturday night is a must watch or it gets recorded if I'm out. Kevin I agree it was impulsive and foolish and I commented to my wife that it will come back to haunt her. It sure did, just when she thought she could get a bit of control of the tabloid owner!

+1 - just sheer quality in every aspect!

Yes, I love Laugeson, he is a real pantomime villain - a bit of a manipulative scumbag, but somehow almost likeable; he's certainly not completely repellent, which is a measure of the quality of writing and acting on show.

My favourite scene so far this series was in Ep 3, between Birgitte and Marrot on the terrace - they really made the most of that beautiful afternoon light.

It was wonderfully and subtly written and played - I loved Knudsen's [what a brilliant, brilliant actress she is] sympathy for Bjorn, and Flemming Sørensen's playing of an ousted leader quietly proud of his - rising from the shipyards to be party leader and Foreign Minister - and his party's achievements was utterly superb.

His parting remark - "Who'd have guessed I'd be the last worker to lead the Labour Party?" - was so poignant; and, given our own politics of the past 20 years - enormously resonant.

Oh, and that light! Fabulous cinematography!

She definitely planned seducing him.....there's a scene where he figures earlier in that episode and I remember feeling that they had used it to prefigure later events.

I think it's a uniformly amazing cast but, this series, Kasper is really maturing as a complex and troubled character and his acting is really much more subtle than earlier.....

Glad that others are getting as much out of it as I am.

G

I must have missed that bit focussing on something else. I wonder if they are going to give us a bit more of Kasper's background.

When this it first came on, I remember reading somewhere that members of our (UK) government watched it to gain insights into a coalition government. It does make you wonder, what with "Pleb gate" etc.

There was a bit in the first series Spart. He was abused by his Dad, which presumably accounts for his secrecy, his unwillingness to let anyone get close and his unnatural dedication to his work. The episode with his father's funeral was very touching.

Yes I remember those parts Kevin. I agree on all your points about the character. I just think they could have done a bit more with it perhaps seeing as how he is one one of the constant and central characters.

I have recodred this series from the beginning, will be watching episode 4   later tonight.

Hope I'm not giving too much away but my curiosity about Kasper has been suitably satisfied in tonights episodes.

You just knew Jytte's days were numbered from the start.....interesting idea to reintroduce the scatty secretary as a symbol of Birgitte's desperate attempts to recapture her earlier innocence in all things politic.  G

I'm just about to watch last nights' episodes - no spoilers please!!

All of the recent, much-hyped scandinavian dramas have turned out to be good - good acting, scripts that don't insult your intelligence etc but most of all in their understanding of human feelings. The  depiction of the bereaved family in The Killing series 1 was heartbreaking.  

Also, there's none of the maker's preachy political agenda that sometimes marred (sic) e.g. The West Wing. Haven't the BBC made some joint investment?

Still think The Wire is the best TV series ever made, though.

More, please.

Sorry Vlad..only minor subtleties but I'll be more circumspect!  G

That (Eps 7 and 8) was fantastically gripping telly.

It had everything: high-level diplomacy involving China and two warring African states, Machiavellian business manouevres, heartbreaking domestic drama with Birgitte's children at the very moment of her triumph, our two female hacks and Torben facing dilemma upon dilemma, and to top it all, the return of Bent!

And Birgitte speaking in a very very sexy English accent.

This series is so freakin' good, I want it to go on forever.

Completely agree with everything you say Kevin. Unfortunately for us this series only has 10 episodes. I'm sure BBC4 will put something else as good in this prime spot, I always end up getting caught up in whatever they put on in this slot on saturday nights, there could be more Spiral or montalbano...

I'll have to wind down with some Old Grey Whistle Test from the 70's now.

Next week cannot be the last....nooooo!

Is another series being filmed?.....

G

Hi Graeme. Series 3, which is to be the last, is currently on in Denmark. We are getting it in January 2014 I believe.

OH MAAAN!!! that's an awful long wait.

At least we have Kevin's avatar!  G

There's a Blu-ray box set of both series of Borgen out next month to keep us all happy.

And there's always Mad Men, Season 6 (the penultimate one) of which is supposed to be airing in March.

I've still got all of Series 1 of The Bridge on my PVR - might start watching that all over again.

'The Good Wife' is back which, although not in Borgen, Mad Men etc. league, is still addictive enough.