Occupied

BanzaiCat · January 28, 2016, 12:03:27 PM

Late last night I noticed a new show on Netflix called "Occupied." It's about Norway being occupied by the Russians.

The premise is completely implausible, to the point of ridiculousness, but I watched the first show and found it highly intriguing.

mirth · January 28, 2016, 12:09:18 PM

Cool. Will have to check it out.

Silent Disapproval Robot · January 28, 2016, 01:24:33 PM

Do they have Wolverines in Norway?

What does a Norwegian Swayze look like anyway?

BanzaiCat · January 28, 2016, 01:33:18 PM

"WOLVERINES" was my first thought, too, but it's nothing like that. At least, not that I've seen thus far.

The story seems to be centered on a few key characters - the Prime Minster of Oslo, the PM's bodyguard, and the bodyguard's wife (whom is a newly-minted judge and cute to boot). Various cabinet members are introduced too, as is a journalist.

I don't want to give too much of the plot away if you want to check it out, but the basic premise is in the future, Norway decides to stop all oil production to help protect the environment (I can hear Windy's pants getting tight from all the way down here), and also because they've apparently created a clean source of energy using the element Thorium. The PM announces his decision to cut off all oil and gas production, which the EU doesn't take kindly to at all as they are in the middle of an energy crisis. Somehow, the U.S. has become independent when it comes to energy production and no longer needs outside sources, so the Middle East is going tits up, not helping matters in Europe. Russia is apparently supported by the EU when they swoop in and occupy Norway's North Seas oil platforms. Russian commandos also kidnap the Norwegian PM, and give him an ultimatum that he apparently agrees to, and he's then released. His bodyguard finds him, takes him back to civilization, and in so many words the PM says he's now fully cooperating with the Russians. The Russians' ambassador is hawt, too. That's about where the first episode left off. And by the way, the US is no longer part of NATO.

I thought it was a full-scale invasion, but we don't see anything like that on screen. The intriguing part (to me, anyway) is how the entire story isn't being told. Most of it comes from the point of view of the PM's bodyguard. It's also that there appears to be a LOT of things going on just outside of the perception of the camera...at least, I'm hoping that's the case.

This is a Norwegian series, so it's all in Norwegian, though there are several instances of English in it as well. The Norwegian is subtitled in Netflix.

Airborne Rifles · January 28, 2016, 01:50:03 PM

Intriguing. I may need to find time to watch this one.

Gusington · January 28, 2016, 02:53:20 PM

This takes place in the present?

mirth · January 28, 2016, 04:20:01 PM

Quote from: Gusington on January 28, 2016, 02:53:20 PM
This takes place in the present?

Near future.

mirth · January 28, 2016, 04:27:08 PM

JasonPratt · January 28, 2016, 04:31:42 PM

Do the trolls begin striking back unexpectedly?

Because Trollhunter instructs us that Norway still has some trolls ranging up to Godzilla sized.

:D

Personally, I'd rather see a series about Nazi occupation of Norway.

Nefaro · January 28, 2016, 07:42:56 PM

Quote from: Silent Disapproval Robot on January 28, 2016, 01:24:33 PM

What does a Norwegian Swayze look like anyway?

A "Norwegian Swayze"?

I'm gonna have to use that when describing something intimately filthy & specific. >:D

- "Roundhouse Lick to the 'head'"?

BanzaiCat · February 05, 2016, 08:59:40 PM

There's 10 episodes in the first season on Netflix (and it's the only season, currently). I just watched about four of them in a row in the background as I finished up work and am working on a board game.

Wow. Just, :o

It's an outstanding series. The pacing might feel a bit slow but in the end it feels as if it were perfect. Everything ramps up with dramatic timing. The dialogue is excellent as are the actors. And the end of Season 1 is...well, I won't give it away if you're watching it. But you'll definitely have buy-in for Season 2. :)

Since it was just released on Netflix, I have no idea if a Season 2 exists or not. I can't find anything substantial on the Web alluding to this. Hopefully it will pop up sometime.

And of course, the Russians got their red panties in a wad over this series...

http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/russia-criticizes-war-themed-norwegian-818394

This bit is especially hilarious:

Quote"It is certainly regretful that in the year when the 70th anniversary of the victory in the second world war is celebrated, the series' creators decided to scare Norwegian viewers with a non-existing threat from the East in the worst Cold War traditions, as if they had forgotten about the Soviet Army's heroic contribution to liberation of Northern Norway from Nazi occupants..."

I don't even know where to begin. I guess 45 years of the Soviet Army's "heroic" liberation of Eastern and Central Europe kind of weighed on their minds, too. O:-)

mirth · February 07, 2016, 10:27:40 AM

Just watched episode 1. It is very well done. The premise is less implausible than I expected.

mirth · February 07, 2016, 05:58:09 PM

This show is remarkably well done. I'll be binge watching the first season over the next couple days.

BanzaiCat · April 09, 2018, 07:29:53 PM

Season Two just came out on Netflix. I caught the first episode Saturday and it's pretty good. Anyone still watching this one?

Gusington · April 09, 2018, 08:09:01 PM

Just added to my queue along with a New (?) series about ancient Troy.