Face to Face

Included in the wave of Nordic crime, which has become a global phenomenon, were works of various qualities, and from many of them I had the feeling that it was just milking a cow. However, Face to Face is a hit. Björn is an intelligent, analytically-thinking, and methodical investigator in the Danish police, who has somewhat stagnated in his career due to a lack of empathy and a closed nature - actually, he's just surviving at the police out of routine. When he arrives to examine the corpse in a new case, a short look at the body lying on the autopsy table is enough to make him immerse himself in the case with full determination regardless of the consequences. Someone who was extremely close to him has died, and he will uncover the circumstances of her death and deliver the culprit to justice, even if he has to pay the highest price. The series is devoid of any fluff. Each episode presents one encounter with a witness or suspect and subsequent dialogue, which quickly turns into a hard interrogation. At the end of each episode, we are always a little further in uncovering Björn's and his family's unflattering past and a little closer to his bitter end. It is original, dynamic, and furthermore supported by the participation of the Danish acting elite. Overall impression: 90%. (06/07/2021)

I understand the need to continue a successful series with another season, but in my opinion, the continuation did not succeed, and what's more, it to some extent negates the excellent script of the first season with a new perspective on an old case that led the detective to jail in the first season. It is less believable, even though the series copies the format and style of the previous season, it simply lacks that drive and charismatic supporting characters. Moreover, no offense to Trine Dyrholm, but she is not the attraction like Ulrich Thomsen's bulldog-like, uncompromisingly rough style as an angry father who crushes suspects without regard for consequences. Even the three stars I give it are not very convincing. Overall impression: 55%. (01/04/2022)