Kommissar Bäckström (TV Series 2020– )

Kommissar Bäckström: With Kjell Bergqvist, Agnes Lindström Bolmgren, Livia Millhagen, Pekka Strang. Unscrupulous and arrogant murder detective Evert Bäckström finds himself with the hardest case he ever had when a skull pierced with bullet holes is found on an uninhabited island in the archipelago.

“I have not read Leif GWs books that Bäckström is based on but I can imagine it translates way better on paper than via visual representation. The acting is cheesy and straight up cringeworthy at times, and clearly aimed to a simpler, wider audience. Most swedish actors are completely incapable of playing surprised, sad, drunk or scared, and you see in their eyes that they are fully aware of the camera. They simply donu0026#39;t speak as people speak, more like literally reading the page. Add a few santa hats to the cast and it could be a julkalender.u003cbr/u003eu003cbr/u003eThe script is somewhat solid but keeps holding your hand instead of letting you think – not that you need to think that much anyway. Comedy is very present and sprinkled throughout the show and Iu0026#39;m fine with that, but it also takes away the seriousness of the situation and you find yourself caring less and less about the main characters. The up and coming cops at the station has a good chemistry and by far the best actor is the young boy Edvin who helps Bäckström (realistically a bit too much) in the investigation.u003cbr/u003eu003cbr/u003eThe old, drunk, loud police man at the end of his career is getting pretty old and worn out in Swedish television and I expected something new and fresh this time around, but no. Same old format. Bäckström has a solid script and some memorable shots, but not nearly enough to ever captivate or draw you in fully. Acting leaves a lot to be desired and Iu0026#39;m being very generous giving this a 6/10. Edvin saves it from a loose 5/10. Read the books instead I guess.”