26 reviews
- filmtvandlife
- Mar 24, 2015
- Permalink
This is a pretty good series. The first 5 episodes were great - I was quite hooked and binge- watched them. Interesting characters, beautiful dark scenery fantastically shot, nice editing, good acting and a wonderfully mysterious suspenseful atmosphere. I have watched foreign shows for a while now and subtitles never bother me unless they are really bad - in this case they were spot on and flowed well with the visuals so I was unaware I was reading them.
Unfortunately something went wrong later in the show. I can't really say what it was, too many stupid decisions by the lead female (who is supposed to be a top negotiator/cop but acts like a complete idiot), the "villain" was so obviously off their rocker it beggars belief that no-one noticed, the behaviour of the board of the corporation was unrealistic & there were just a few too many plot holes etc starting to appear. It didn't stop me wanting to find out what happened/happens and sticking with the series but it did lessen my enjoyment to an extent. One scene that stands out as not credible involved someone signing away rights to something - you'll know it when you see it and quite frankly it made no sense. There were so many other options - especially in context of the person's supposed expertise & career... anyway. Frustrations & nitpicking aside I recommend this series to anyone who likes atmospheric suspenseful mysteries that involves folklore & mythical creatures not just real life evil doers.
As for the review slamming it for being "nothing but environmentalist propaganda" - I predicted some lame reviewer would trot that out just because it does, in fact, deal with issues about the environment. But you know what, movies and TV shows have - since they first began - proudly dealt with issues that effect people at the time. The environment is a pressing issue for our world today so I see no reason for anyone to dismiss art of any kind just because it brings that issue into it's purview. The fact that the reviewer bases their entire opinion of the series on their objection to it's environmental focus, tells me a lot about the reviewer and very little about the series. I imagine that's why nobody has said their review was helpful. The series incorporates a message about environmental issues, yes that's true. But it also incorporates issues around disability, autism, the parent/child relationship/bond, mental health care, youth issues & so on..... it's got many layers and is telling an adult fairy tale to get across a variety of thoughts , concepts & ideas. That is part of what makes it so interesting.
Unfortunately something went wrong later in the show. I can't really say what it was, too many stupid decisions by the lead female (who is supposed to be a top negotiator/cop but acts like a complete idiot), the "villain" was so obviously off their rocker it beggars belief that no-one noticed, the behaviour of the board of the corporation was unrealistic & there were just a few too many plot holes etc starting to appear. It didn't stop me wanting to find out what happened/happens and sticking with the series but it did lessen my enjoyment to an extent. One scene that stands out as not credible involved someone signing away rights to something - you'll know it when you see it and quite frankly it made no sense. There were so many other options - especially in context of the person's supposed expertise & career... anyway. Frustrations & nitpicking aside I recommend this series to anyone who likes atmospheric suspenseful mysteries that involves folklore & mythical creatures not just real life evil doers.
As for the review slamming it for being "nothing but environmentalist propaganda" - I predicted some lame reviewer would trot that out just because it does, in fact, deal with issues about the environment. But you know what, movies and TV shows have - since they first began - proudly dealt with issues that effect people at the time. The environment is a pressing issue for our world today so I see no reason for anyone to dismiss art of any kind just because it brings that issue into it's purview. The fact that the reviewer bases their entire opinion of the series on their objection to it's environmental focus, tells me a lot about the reviewer and very little about the series. I imagine that's why nobody has said their review was helpful. The series incorporates a message about environmental issues, yes that's true. But it also incorporates issues around disability, autism, the parent/child relationship/bond, mental health care, youth issues & so on..... it's got many layers and is telling an adult fairy tale to get across a variety of thoughts , concepts & ideas. That is part of what makes it so interesting.
- daggersineyes
- Jul 22, 2016
- Permalink
I gotta say this little Swedish gem worked for me on so many levels. The acting was really good as well as the directing. The show had a really cool creepy vibe to it (especially on season 1) that really built on top of the uniquely intriguing plot. The mystery surrounding the town and its inhabitants is expertly delivered throughout the first season. The twists and reveals blew my mind, there's no way you can get 3 episodes in and give up. This show makes true blood and Grim look like garbage. Jordskott's modern take on fairy tales is like nothing I've ever seen... It's dark and mysterious and I was as hooked on this show as some of the characters in jordskott are on their black sludge they drink to survive.
- phillipbrowning
- Aug 23, 2018
- Permalink
Anyone who has walked in Swedish forests get the feeling of the raw power of nature. Wild wolves, Moose (bigger than horses), Bears, but also the sheer dimensions. You can find forests where there is no road for 40km.... deadly, mysterious and beautiful... seas of trees.
In other words, walk though a fores in the brecon beacons or Scotland, and you know you can find your way out. Try that in Sweden and you will probably die. Swedish forests can be scarily big; and mysterious.
I was told about this show by the gf, to keep my Swedish going. I am so glad I started watching this. Starts off as a police drama, but pretty soon, things get strange. You have to pay attention to it.
Clues are littered from the start pointing at the dark under-plot.
Excellent work. och tack att jag kunde ova min svenska!
In other words, walk though a fores in the brecon beacons or Scotland, and you know you can find your way out. Try that in Sweden and you will probably die. Swedish forests can be scarily big; and mysterious.
I was told about this show by the gf, to keep my Swedish going. I am so glad I started watching this. Starts off as a police drama, but pretty soon, things get strange. You have to pay attention to it.
Clues are littered from the start pointing at the dark under-plot.
Excellent work. och tack att jag kunde ova min svenska!
It seems like most "professional" reviewers are trying to hype Jordskott as being the next Bron, particularly in Swedish newspapers. I started watching it with a very positive mindset with these opinions in mind. However I don't feel that the quality of the plot even comes close to it. Jordskott feels like a thinly veiled environmental propaganda piece about the dangers of corporate greed and the exploitation of natural resources. This would be fine if the writers had bothered to create a more immersive experience. There are too many loose threads that are never resolved, and on the contrary from Bron where you're kept guessing and wondering where the story will take you next the reveals of this story are mediocre and illogical. The police aren't clever, their reactions as events unfold aren't credible, the protagonist takes way longer than the audience to understand what's happening and the corporate greed angle is crude and illogical for anyone with even a tangential understanding of how a company works and how people think. It attempts to be a modern take on Äppelkriget without the humour. I'll watch it to the end to see how they manage to tie everything together as I've already reached episode 8, but I don't feel particularly optimistic. Such a wasted opportunity to do something really cool with the deep, mysterious forests of Sweden.
- pump-the-base
- Apr 22, 2015
- Permalink
This is the kind of show I've been waiting for! It mixes suspense, physiological drama and the occult in a way that never has been done before in Swedish television. I must admit that I was a little bit skeptical during the first episode, like " oh let's see where this is going", but soon I realized that I was about to binge watch the whole series in one night!! The writers have managed to create a story that never slacks and characters that are really fascinating, while at the same time following a plot that keeps the audience in a firm grip with new twists and turns in every episode. It's like "Oh my gosh, i didn't see that one coming!!" I have always been a little bit vary about dialogue in Swedish film and television. There has been a tendency to write "on the nose" dialogue, " sometimes unbearable to listen to like in many cop series, but in "Jordskott" the writers have had great success in writing lines that lift the characters AND drive the plot forward. The cast is excellent. If Moa Gammel won't be our next export to Hollywood I would be really surprised. And Happy Jankell is truly a rising star! Last, when it comes to the work of the camera crew: Never before has the dark forests, the small deep lakes and the inherent mystery of the Swedish countryside been better shown. If I worked for Swedish tourism I would very pleased right now. Maybe we will see "Jordskott" tourism in the near future.
- larscopywriter
- May 13, 2015
- Permalink
When i started seeing the film, I expected a crime. Strange things happened in the first episode, that almost made me stop watching. Luckily i continued watching, and realized that this was a fairy tale. We have wonderful fairy tales in Norway, and i hoped that somebody would try to apply the new animation techniques to retell the fairy tales. Jordskott seems to be a modernized fairy tale . I know of a few Norwegian films that also put the fairy tale into modern times. These are Trolljegeren, Thale, and Gåten Ragnarok. Jordskott is the first series i see with this telling technique, and the best try on a modern Nordic fairy tale so far.
Just when you thought Nordic Noir had peaked along comes Jordskott - very dark and very much of its location and the Swedes do it best! Anyone who is vaguely familiar with folk tales (from pretty much anywhere in the world) will appreciate the brooding threat, the universal fears that permeate the early episodes. But this is no outlandish 'TrollHunter', this is a full blown 'who dun it' with the supra / supernatural an integral part. Having watched the first half of the first series, for me, it plays as a cross between The Killing, Fargo and Twin Peak (series 1 obviously). I don't like particularly enjoy 'supernatural' films and I don't have any belief in spiritual worlds but I appreciate the folk lore created by of cultures to explain their natural world. And, this is where Jordskott fits.The production slowly seduces the unbeliever into a realm where you not only accept the conceits you end an episode wanting more. Level headed I may be but Jordskott has made me think twice about my impending visit to the Swedish interior. This is very much box set binge materials but I must control the urge to splurge. Watch - believe - enjoy.
- robert-downing1-1
- Oct 25, 2015
- Permalink
As I am fond of Scandinavian suspense thrillers, I try to watch them as much as possible, preferably in sequence. True, as the "aces are high", it is natural that in a search of a new angle or background, the result can be less interesting to certain viewers.
I, for example, have to admit that I am not much into fabulous creatures or supernatural forces penetrating into "trivial" human world, so the last episodes did not bear the same value for me as primary events and tensions, but luckily there was no "deus ex machina" or superhero present, and gradually appearing non-real elements did not make me cancel the watching. At times, tense just faded away and made me ponder that less duration or number of episodes could have been becoming.
Unlike in most of Swedish series with alternating actors-actresses, almost all performers here were unknown to me (apart from Ann Petrén), but I cannot say I was particularly impressed by anyone whose career should be followed in the future. So, a decent series, but similar with the ones like Maria Wern and Arne Dahl rather than with Bron/Broen or Millennium. For those, however, fond of additional mysticism and gloomy mood, Jordskott can be recommended with bigger enthusiasm.
I, for example, have to admit that I am not much into fabulous creatures or supernatural forces penetrating into "trivial" human world, so the last episodes did not bear the same value for me as primary events and tensions, but luckily there was no "deus ex machina" or superhero present, and gradually appearing non-real elements did not make me cancel the watching. At times, tense just faded away and made me ponder that less duration or number of episodes could have been becoming.
Unlike in most of Swedish series with alternating actors-actresses, almost all performers here were unknown to me (apart from Ann Petrén), but I cannot say I was particularly impressed by anyone whose career should be followed in the future. So, a decent series, but similar with the ones like Maria Wern and Arne Dahl rather than with Bron/Broen or Millennium. For those, however, fond of additional mysticism and gloomy mood, Jordskott can be recommended with bigger enthusiasm.
Disclaimer - I bailed after 4 episodes. Why did I grow to dislike Jordskott (Swedish for George Scott, famous American actor of yesteryear) after investing 4 hours? Two things really,,,,First the series comes across as a missing person detective show but by episode 3 it becomes a fantasy, or introduces a supernatural element, so I feel a little duped, not that I wouldn't have started it anyway had I known.
Secondly I didn't like the main character at all. She was suppose to be some highly capably police officer/negotiator but she came across as utterly incompetent and didn't seem to know the slightest thing about policing or investigating a crime. I mean who screams shoot me over and over to a deranged hostage taker in a hostage situation. Utter nonsense. There were a few other nitpicky things like the head investigator in the disappearance recruiting a NEGOTIATOR with an emotional connection to help investigate a missing child case. The head guy also irritated. He didn't do anything in 4 episodes except walk around looking smug. The local police investigator was at least likeable and seemed to be actually doing things.
There's too many other (hopefully better) things to watch.
Secondly I didn't like the main character at all. She was suppose to be some highly capably police officer/negotiator but she came across as utterly incompetent and didn't seem to know the slightest thing about policing or investigating a crime. I mean who screams shoot me over and over to a deranged hostage taker in a hostage situation. Utter nonsense. There were a few other nitpicky things like the head investigator in the disappearance recruiting a NEGOTIATOR with an emotional connection to help investigate a missing child case. The head guy also irritated. He didn't do anything in 4 episodes except walk around looking smug. The local police investigator was at least likeable and seemed to be actually doing things.
There's too many other (hopefully better) things to watch.
- semmian-93345
- Mar 30, 2023
- Permalink
I was very pleasantly surprised when I watched this. I was expecting a Swedish crime drama like The Killing, but got so much more. This is a type of science fiction and I love science fiction. In some ways it resembles Pan's Labyrinth (from Spain I think), and if you love Earth Spirit Mythology then this show will please you. It has plenty of characters up to no good, for noble or selfish reasons, is full of surprises that eventually make sense and, though not big on special effects, what is needed is done well. There are tense moments and a beautiful tension throughout that keep the viewer interested. The story is sufficiently plausible to keep this work at an A-plus rather than a B-movie standard. The photography and place is very beautiful and creates atmosphere. This is a work that has done a lot with very little. Other reviewers have called this clever and they are very correct. The acting is easily good enough for mono speakers like me to forget the subtitles. I loved it.
- robertemerald
- Mar 30, 2017
- Permalink
- michael_ruth-551-214909
- Jun 13, 2016
- Permalink
This is by far the best series i've seen. I am praying they give us a season 3! It is a thrilling ride that will keep you guessing and keep you glued to your TV. It is a drama/ thriller with a sprinkle of paranormal
- teenydutton
- Jan 21, 2019
- Permalink
The first couple of episodes I was intrigued but not exicited. By episode nine I was immersed in this series. I love the theme of man being punished for his treatment to the earth and animals. I also love the mix of magic and sci-fi. It has everything I love including a strong female lead who isn't a victim or weak, and dependent on a man. No love story here, except between a woman and her children. I love how we get a glimpse into how different our cultures are. There are no bad guys and good guys. Everyone is a mix of everything and has a back story to comprehend actions now.
Complex and moving.
- airsnob-18715
- Jan 25, 2019
- Permalink
This series feels like a child wrote it while playing "Thieves". Story holes everywhere, continuation mess ups and bad acting. I'm used to great series by Swedish writers, this one is not one of them. Save yourself some time and don't watch this.
The series had great potential considering all the mystical and somewhat paranormal background it's based on but the writing just didn't cut it. Nor did the cast for that matter. I was hoping for something in the quality of the Millennium trilogy but this is not one of the series that can even dream to reach such heights. I hope there's someone that can take this concept and re-write it in a way that makes it possible to watch without laughing all the way through it. Maybe that's the thing, this is a comedy and I didn't understand that.
The series had great potential considering all the mystical and somewhat paranormal background it's based on but the writing just didn't cut it. Nor did the cast for that matter. I was hoping for something in the quality of the Millennium trilogy but this is not one of the series that can even dream to reach such heights. I hope there's someone that can take this concept and re-write it in a way that makes it possible to watch without laughing all the way through it. Maybe that's the thing, this is a comedy and I didn't understand that.
- ciro-629-159130
- Apr 21, 2015
- Permalink
- faraday_dark_star
- Feb 9, 2016
- Permalink
JORDSKOTT is a police procedural set in a small Swedish town, with elements of mysticism/folklore and ecology. The very complicated plot is set out at a steady pace that does not provide an explanation until Episode 7, and then is given in such an offhand manner that if you are not paying attention, you might miss it. If remade in English, I'm sure the writers, not trusting the intelligence of the audience, would underline and repeat it, but not here.
The acting is uniformly good. The central character, Eva, looks like Anna Torv. The Crime Department cop reminded me of Jeffrey Cymbler, a lawyer I worked with for several years; his small town cop partner reminded me of Brent Spiner. The important mystic characters are either not seen (Muns, the last of his race) or barely seen (the lake spirit who we see as a small white blob who quickly grows to bathtub size). My favorite character, Elva, starts out looking like an ancient bag lady, but by the last image in the final episode, she somehow looks preternaturally young, her skin unlined. The forest setting is beautiful and eerie. A warning of two bad animal things for people like me who can't bear this.
The acting is uniformly good. The central character, Eva, looks like Anna Torv. The Crime Department cop reminded me of Jeffrey Cymbler, a lawyer I worked with for several years; his small town cop partner reminded me of Brent Spiner. The important mystic characters are either not seen (Muns, the last of his race) or barely seen (the lake spirit who we see as a small white blob who quickly grows to bathtub size). My favorite character, Elva, starts out looking like an ancient bag lady, but by the last image in the final episode, she somehow looks preternaturally young, her skin unlined. The forest setting is beautiful and eerie. A warning of two bad animal things for people like me who can't bear this.
- kristinaysmith
- Dec 6, 2015
- Permalink
It grabbed me from the first until the last minute. However unlikely you still think it could happen somewhere somehow.
- dirkje-42297
- Mar 18, 2021
- Permalink
- pinewizer371
- Feb 16, 2015
- Permalink
Apart from the fact that being a mother according to Jordskott means loosing your mind and act constantly without rationality there is definitely a lack of figures with whom you are able to sympathize. For several seasons the evil murderer it definitely the best figure.
I don't feel motivated to actually think about that thingy, but i feel motivated to warn you: Don't waste that much time, really much to much time, consuming this nerve crushing product. Look instead at the walls of your room and enjoy the silence. Or speak with the plants in your room, that is surely more interesting and less annoying.
Your really want to burn down that forest and the village...
I don't feel motivated to actually think about that thingy, but i feel motivated to warn you: Don't waste that much time, really much to much time, consuming this nerve crushing product. Look instead at the walls of your room and enjoy the silence. Or speak with the plants in your room, that is surely more interesting and less annoying.
Your really want to burn down that forest and the village...
- ddff-38000
- Aug 30, 2016
- Permalink
Thought it would be a crime/thriller but when strange things started to happen, almost stopped watching the 1st season. The 2nd season was even worse, each character was strange!
It's OK using the magic to permit strange sequences but there really is to much disconnection in action. (OK we need to go down endless stairs yet again; but how come we are at the top of a high rise building?) Its almost as if the writers knew the end but didn't care how they got there.
There simply were bits that were silly even allowing for the idea of creating a bleak fairy tale.
Taking it as it was, the second police chief (minor role) was sadly a poor actor for the part; action was fitted round the (never seen) mystery Muns but such a potentially important character just got "left behind". The last episode of the first series had some terrible acting/directing to tidy it up. So, disappointing if you were paying attention.
Lots of potential. Just tidy it up, please.
There simply were bits that were silly even allowing for the idea of creating a bleak fairy tale.
Taking it as it was, the second police chief (minor role) was sadly a poor actor for the part; action was fitted round the (never seen) mystery Muns but such a potentially important character just got "left behind". The last episode of the first series had some terrible acting/directing to tidy it up. So, disappointing if you were paying attention.
Lots of potential. Just tidy it up, please.
- malcolmcochran
- Nov 27, 2023
- Permalink
- kums-80456
- Apr 28, 2020
- Permalink