27 reviews
Below the Surface
What lies hidden . . .
Another solid Danish drama series
As an admirer of various thrilling series, Denmark is definitely one of the countries which related production I follow as much as possible. So I was glad again when I heard about Gidseltagningen - and again, I can say I am contented.
True, it is no Bron/Broen, but its realistic plot (suitable for modern world with its hostage dramas), depiction of decision-making in a democratic country (when comprehensiveness brings about tardiness in harsh situations), not strained characters and performances (particularly supporting ones, e.g. Paprika Steen, Alba August, Dar Salim) make this series interesting to watch. Well, the real reasons behind could have been different, more sophisticated, but then it could have diminished its plausibility perhaps. We have to bear in mind that Gidseltagningen is no American or Asian series, after all, and anti-war mentality and topical mood were so maintained.
All in all, 8 strong points from me, and you are welcome to watch, unless you dislike strong military presence and prefer works with good and bad distinctively marked.
PS Season 2, with events on and around a ferry, is not weaker, and Season 3 is not excluded - with reference to the ending scenes... The only issue is that as the Danes tend to benefit from same film actors, one can easily guess who might die in the middle and who definitely not :)
True, it is no Bron/Broen, but its realistic plot (suitable for modern world with its hostage dramas), depiction of decision-making in a democratic country (when comprehensiveness brings about tardiness in harsh situations), not strained characters and performances (particularly supporting ones, e.g. Paprika Steen, Alba August, Dar Salim) make this series interesting to watch. Well, the real reasons behind could have been different, more sophisticated, but then it could have diminished its plausibility perhaps. We have to bear in mind that Gidseltagningen is no American or Asian series, after all, and anti-war mentality and topical mood were so maintained.
All in all, 8 strong points from me, and you are welcome to watch, unless you dislike strong military presence and prefer works with good and bad distinctively marked.
PS Season 2, with events on and around a ferry, is not weaker, and Season 3 is not excluded - with reference to the ending scenes... The only issue is that as the Danes tend to benefit from same film actors, one can easily guess who might die in the middle and who definitely not :)
plot holes galore
- myriamlenys
- May 13, 2018
- Permalink
Could not stop watching
- Peter-1480
- Jul 26, 2017
- Permalink
thriller - 15 people held hostage in a metro tunnel in Copenhagen
- scaifegibson
- Sep 1, 2017
- Permalink
Striking
Great micro-environment setting. Jumps into the action quickly and draws out well over the episodes to an intense conclusion. Takes time to personalize the hostages viewpoints. Closes with a moral issue.
Too long and bad script
Average Thriller
- wentworthstreet
- Apr 14, 2018
- Permalink
Season one good season two brilliant
Whilst I enjoyed season one of "Beneath the surface". But it was a bit slow and predictable. Season two on the other hand feels like a Danish version of Die Hard! It,s pretty much non stop action from the word go when a group of Syrian terrorists overtake a Danish car ferry. With our hero from season one just making it on board. Yes I know totally implausible but if you can put that aside and forget the plot holes, you have a really entertaining edge of the seat thriller. Not so much beneath the surface but drama on water! 9/10
- peterrichboy
- Aug 11, 2019
- Permalink
The Truth Will Come Out
ON THE SURFACE S2 AS GOOD AS S1
This is a great series. S1 was excellent and S2 even better IMHO.
Action aplenty, solid acting and an intriguing plot full of twists. Always nice to have fallible heroes.
The only annoyance are the love struck flashbacks. 🙄
Definitely worth binging!!
Action aplenty, solid acting and an intriguing plot full of twists. Always nice to have fallible heroes.
The only annoyance are the love struck flashbacks. 🙄
Definitely worth binging!!
- MadamWarden
- May 3, 2020
- Permalink
Bit long winded & silly but OK
I liked the first couple of episodes, looked like it was going to be a great taut suspense thriller but after about episode 5 I was starting to yell at the screen over some of the actions/behaviour/decisions being made by the characters . And the Police seem to do nothing but sit around having dramatic moments, arguing & eating pizza. I mean, surely Denmark has better cops than this? They are excruciatingly useless. I'll stick with it for now but honestly they better do something POLICE-like soon or I will give up on the show completely. Nothing much makes sense at this stage either. I'm hoping there's a point to all this somewhere coz the ransom is way too small to be their main aim. Anyway - watch it, you might enjoy it and it's not terrible but there are some niggling issues here.
- daggersineyes
- Jul 29, 2017
- Permalink
Brilliant
I can only think of one word to describe this show. Intense.
The show was believable. There were errors made on both sides. It wasn't the perfect solution to a bad situation. There was no pushing of political agenda. No single hero. Just pure entertainment. So refreshing. Highly recommend it.
Just one area of real weakness, otherwise a GREAT drama
15.Jan, 2020: Fantastic, gripping 8 episodes series, 45 minutes each, Totally Binge-Worthy, currently available with a HULU basic subscription. Especially if you LOVE dramas with deep, complex character development, and twists you never would have guessed. Excellent Acting by all of the cast, but especially by Paprika Steen, as an investigative journalist. No Tenth Star due to 'muddy' editing and storyline flow with the past and present scenes of so many of the actors; a Tenth star would have been given if Dates Text boxes had been inserted with the jumping back and forth.
Amazing!!
Watched it on BBC iPlayer, saw the whole season in two days. Love Danish tv shows but this is an exception, full of curiosity & compassion! Well done to all the actors.
- amanchdhry
- Apr 8, 2018
- Permalink
Very exciting!! And realistic!!
I just watch the 1st season. And I am certainly going to watch the 2nd as well.
Very real story, good written and good acting. Once u start you can't stop it!!!
Don't understand the negative revieuws.
Not plausible
- paul2001sw-1
- Apr 23, 2018
- Permalink
Amazing, Couldn't Stop Watching
I started watching this out of curiosity and after the first episode i binge watched the following 7 on BBC I Player. I think that from a technical point of view the producer has captured this perfectly, and i think the actors portray the roles they play as if it was real life.
I wasn't expecting the ending but never the less it captured my heart and in the end i cried at the ending.
Cant wait for season 2 (if there is one)
- rachaelcollinson
- Apr 10, 2018
- Permalink
Danish Drama
Gets better and better. Thoroughly enjoyed season 1 and season 2 is even more exciting. This show reminds me of 24, with the Danish version of Kiefer Sutherland in the lead role. Well done!
A top quality TV show
- searchanddestroy-1
- May 15, 2018
- Permalink
exceptionally good!
- robvanzwieten
- Dec 28, 2019
- Permalink
Poor script and an unbelievable plot.
Well, what a waste of time that series was. Absolutely incredible plot lines and totally unbelievable characterisations. I tried to hang onto the plot, but it just didn't work. For example, a small group of terrorists (a noun that the BBC would never allowed to be used) get holed up in an underground space that has a lift shaft providing direct access. Yet none of bumbling police ever consider using gas to subdue the protagonists and thus facilitate a rescue - oh no, that would never do. The ending was the true low point of this disappointing drama with the only winners being the other distant terrorists.
BBC4 has subjected us to some real stinkers in the Saturday evening drama slot recently and I'm not sure there is any light at the end of this particular tunnel. By complete contrast, I confidently predict that the upcoming fourth series of Michael Connelly's Bosch on Amazon will make up these Scandinavian deficiencies.
BBC4 has subjected us to some real stinkers in the Saturday evening drama slot recently and I'm not sure there is any light at the end of this particular tunnel. By complete contrast, I confidently predict that the upcoming fourth series of Michael Connelly's Bosch on Amazon will make up these Scandinavian deficiencies.
Captivating, however...
- ienjoyent3rtainmnt
- Jun 21, 2020
- Permalink
Fast paced thriller!
The pace is so fast that one doesn't have time to let the brain catch up on suspending disbelief. The only problem is that in a movie it works better than in a series. Still it throws in so many curves and fastballs that I just said "Heck, I'll relax and enjoy." The main problem is that when the bad guys speak it's in English and they provide no captions for the hard of hearing.