I am bereft...

Posted by: Kevin-W on 14 December 2013

Well, that's it.

 

No more Borgen. Ever. Sigh. [starts weeping].

 

Still, 30 hours of supremely good telly.

 

And despite the mini-backlash from the  fusspots and moaning minnies, this last was a good series, despite the presence of the divine Birgitte's black-hole-of-hugely-irritating-blandness boyfriend, and Bent not being given enough to do. Not enough Kasper or Laugeson either, but I liked that Torben and Hanne were given bigger roles.

 

At least BBC4 Scandi-lovers can look forward to the second (and last) series of The Bridge on 4th January, with Spiral 5 to follow in the Spring.

 

So, fellow Forum Borgenites, what did you make of it all?

Posted on: 14 December 2013 by Mike-B

There there,  never mind, it'll all be better soon,  it'll be repeated 4 times a day on Yesterday in a 5 years time. Then you can change your avatar of the divine Birgitt to ...........  

 

Posted on: 15 December 2013 by Kevin-W
Originally Posted by Mike-B:

There there,  never mind, it'll all be better soon,  it'll be repeated 4 times a day on Yesterday in a 5 years time. Then you can change your avatar of the divine Birgitt to ...........  

 

God - LOTSW, the least funny, most-repeated "comedy" of all time. Thanks forreminding me of that. Not.

 

Still, BBC4 has just bought 1864 (pictured below), an eight-part Danish historical drama starring SBK (Birgitte), Pilou Asbæk (Kasper) and Søren Malling (Torben) from Borgen, as well as six 90-minute episodes of the Swedish hit Crimes of Passion.

 

 

Posted on: 15 December 2013 by Mike-B

I will keep an eye out for both - thanks for the tip off.  

 

I know Last of the Summer Wine is a bit of a marmite for subject & humour.  I do not consider it a "comedy", I don't think it was ever intended to be such.  

Personally I "get" it whereas Mrs-B does not. I agree its been flogged to death with so many 3 times daily repeats,  but some selected episodes do need to be appreciated as classics (of the series)  

It does remind me very much of some characters where I grew up,  Compo is so like one of my uncles, albeit he did dress a little better, full of mischief & could keep a crowd amused for at least 4 pints,  but don't invite him to a wedding or funeral.   

I am fussy over the best series & characters,  the later ones went well past their sell by dates IMO,  it should have been bought to a dignified conclusion after Bill Owen passed.

Posted on: 15 December 2013 by Kevin-W

Mike, best of the bunch is apparently Arvingerne (The Legacy), which BBC4 is showing in the autumn of 2014. It's (another) Danish 10-part series about an artist's family - it is supposed to be stunning.

 

 

 

 

 

Posted on: 15 December 2013 by Mike-B

Thanks  must remember to watch the schedules. 

Problem is I am overseas for a far bit of late 2014 so the PVR will earn its keep

Posted on: 15 December 2013 by ChrisH

KevinW, yes, I'm really sorry to see Borgen go, thought this series was better than Series II, not quite as good as Series I.

Though as I write this, MrsH and I have still to watch the last 2 episodes from last night.

We might save them so we can avoid some of the rubbish that is sure to be on over Christmas!

 

great news that The Bridge and Spiral are coming in early 2014 though, didn't know that.

And your other tips sound inspired, will definitely look out for them.

 

Pray tell, how come you know so much about these Scandi Series?

Im curious!

Posted on: 15 December 2013 by Kevin-W

Chris, I have always loved Scandinavia and Scandi culture. I even had a Danish girlfriend once! I like the way things are done in Scandinavia and I admire the political system and way/quality of life.

 

I also have a number of friends and acquaintances in Denmark, Sweden and Finland. Consequently I try to keep up with what's going on, especially in TV, which I think is very good.

Posted on: 15 December 2013 by Steve J

Danish girls are gorgeous. Many happy memories of one in particular when I was on a windsurfing holiday in the '80s. 

Posted on: 15 December 2013 by Kevin-W

1864 is apparently the most expensive drama in the history of Danish TV.

 

Some stills here. Looks spectacular - and with BBC4 in HD now, it should be a must-watch.

Posted on: 15 December 2013 by JamieWednesday

More quality drama from Denmark...

 

Posted on: 15 December 2013 by Kevin-W
Originally Posted by JamieWednesday:

More quality drama from Denmark...

 

No subtitles. Not interested.

Posted on: 15 December 2013 by fatcat

Don't know any Swedes myself, but apparently they're boring.

Posted on: 15 December 2013 by fatcat
Originally Posted by Kevin-W:

Mike, best of the bunch is apparently Arvingerne (The Legacy), which BBC4 is showing in the autumn of 2014. It's (another) Danish 10-part series about an artist's family - it is supposed to be stunning.

 

 

 

 

 

Doesn't look stunning to me, that woman is definitely not in focus.

Posted on: 15 December 2013 by JamieWednesday

Yeah, schoolboy error I reckon. Much like the portraits on the wall behind...

Posted on: 15 December 2013 by GraemeH

Just finished the last episode and it will leave a gap but I can't help feeling it is the time to stop.  The whiff of 'soap opera' started to descend on this series.

 

Looking forward to 'The Bridge' in the New Year.

 

G

 

PS Told you the pneumatic red head was going to be a duplicitous character!

Posted on: 16 December 2013 by Blueknowz

Kev,

 

Film 4  tonight     Day of Wrath     Danish with subtitles

In a 17th-century Danish village, an old woman is accused of witchcraft. In the shadow of her flight, capture, confession, and burning at the stake, the young wife of the town's aging pastor falls in love with the pastor's son. Her confession of this illicit affair to her husband brings on her husband's death. At the funeral the pastor's mother denounces the young widow as a witch. Will the widow's lover come to her defense, or has the day of wrath returned. supposed to be a masterpiece.

Posted on: 16 December 2013 by Kevin-W
Originally Posted by Blueknowz:

Kev,

 

Film 4  tonight     Day of Wrath     Danish with subtitles

In a 17th-century Danish village, an old woman is accused of witchcraft. In the shadow of her flight, capture, confession, and burning at the stake, the young wife of the town's aging pastor falls in love with the pastor's son. Her confession of this illicit affair to her husband brings on her husband's death. At the funeral the pastor's mother denounces the young widow as a witch. Will the widow's lover come to her defense, or has the day of wrath returned. supposed to be a masterpiece.

Jim

 

I know it well - Vredens Dag - the second sound film by Carl Dreyer who is, IMNSHO, the greatest film director who has ever lived, after Jean Renoir of course. It is, like most of his films, an unimpeachable masterpiece.