The challenge in watching the best TV series is finding the next best. Several years ago Glen and I rued the conclusion of Borgen (the Castle), a nickname for Christiansborg Palace that houses Denmark’s Parliament, the Prime Minister’s Office and the Supreme Court. In three seasons we became well acquainted with Birgitte Nyborg, the (fictional) first female Prime Minister of Denmark. Birgitte dramatizes the conflicts and compromises of a woman, a wife, a mother, a canny politician who heads a coalition government. We not only witness her trials and occasional triumphs but also get an in-depth lesson about coalition politics in a democratic society.
Parallel to Birgitte’s story arc is that of Katrine Fønsmark, a talented news anchor hungry for notoriety. In a review of Borgen Jace Lacob writes: “One hallmark of Nordic television is its use of realistically rendered female characters, and Birgitte and Katrine are no exception: Ambitious, flawed, and driven, they are spiritual kinsmen even while their work often puts them at cross-purposes.”
When a fourth season, Borgen – Power & Glory, appeared unexpectedly on Netflix last spring, we rejoiced. All but one (Birgitte’s spin doctor, Kasper) of our favourite characters returns in this politically relevant season. It opens with the discovery of a huge oil deposit in Greenland, an autonomous territory of the Kingdom of Denmark. As Foreign Minister and in keeping with the green policies of her New Democrats, Birgitte vocalizes her opposition to drilling. Much to her chagrin, she later learns the Prime Minister wants to capitalize on the potential, and substantial, oil revenue. Will Birgitte dial back her criticism or stick to her — and the party’s — principles?
Meanwhile Katrine has advanced to Head of News at TV1 and is taking decisions to boost the station’s ratings. In doing so she alienates much of the staff and her family. We ache witnessing her bumble along.
A pursuit of power influences the decisions of both women who sometimes fail, spectacularly. The show dissects power while tackling big issues: feminism, the role of the media, governance, climate change, geopolitics, Inuit rights and more. In all seasons Borgen is entertaining, engrossing and provocative. It deserves a top rating of ♦♦♦♦♦.
P.S. Viewers also invest in a few strong male characters in ancillary roles. And of course we cannot help but compare Denmark’s governance with the polarized politics of the U.S. and to a lesser extent Canada as well.
Barbara Richardson says
I share your enthusiasm for Borgen! Great characters and plot. I loved the careful development of the story lines of the character’s personal life. I also found it most interesting to see the intrigue, complication and reality of a proportional representation democratic system. The merits of that system are often topic of debate in Canada. Be careful what you wish for I say…
Pam McPhail says
In examining coalitions, the series demonstrated the art — and necessity — of compromise. Does it build a case for minority governments? Although I haven’t given serious thought to proportional representation, I might favour that system if I still voted in Quebec.
Janet Anderson says
Hmmm, Quebec, like no other!
Ken McLean says
I think some hybrid form of proportional representation would be good in any province, indeed in Canada as a whole. Certainly the recent Quebec election does highlight the problems with the current system. The CAQ got 90 of 124 seats, with 41% of the vote (with only 66% voting). Not that I support them, but the Conservatives got around 12 or 13 % and got no seats. A similar situation occurred in Ontario. Ford got 83 seats, on the basis of 41% of the 43 % who voted, while the Liberals and Conservatives each got very few seats though they each got 24% of the vote. On the national level, the Liberals said in their 2015 campaign that they would change this system, then reneged as soon as they won.
Ian Wallace says
Please put me down as another enthusiastic fan of Borgen, and other Nordic series as well, such as State of Happiness, The Killing, The Bridge, and even such light-weight fare as Seaside Hotel. I enjoy them all and cannot wait to see more. Perhaps I will even attempt to learn Danish, Norwegian, and Swedish?
Pam McPhail says
We’ve not seen the Danish version of The Killing but, like Ken and Marie, think the American version is excellent (and enjoyed seeing Vancouver play Seattle in it). I call Seaside Hotel medium-weight fare as its background is the rising power of the Nazis. Serious issues — collaboration with the Nazis, homophobia, the plight of women — are offset by comedy and grace. Another perfect Nordic series! On your recommendation, Ian, we’ll try to find State of Happiness for our viewing pleasure.
Marie McLean says
The fourth season was compelling. Often final seasons of series are disappointing, but this one was not. Sorry to see it end.
Pam McPhail says
Although we were sorry Borgen seemed to conclude in season three, we did think the writers had exhausted Birgitte’s story. Not so. As you say, Marie, the fourth season is compelling! Will we be (pleasantly) surprised in a few years to see a fifth?
Janet Anderson says
Thanks Pam,
I enjoyed the earlier series as well, (and The Bridge Ian).
Pam McPhail says
Glen and I might be ready to rewatch The Bridge, at least the first two seasons when Saga’s partner is Martin Rohde. We didn’t like the American adaptation of this series.
Ken McLean says
I certainly agree that “Borgen” is great show. Nicole Sturgeon, PM of Scotland, agrees: I read in the “New Yorker” that she said that Birgitte is her favourite politician! We rewatched the first three seasons before seeing the fourth.
Ken McLean says
Ian, I also thought “The Bridge” and “The Killing” excellent(surprisingly, the American version is equally good). I’d not heard of “State of Happiness” and “Seaside Hotel” and will check them out if I can find them.
Pam McPhail says
Ken, We saw — and loved — Seaside Hotel on PBS Masterpiece (through Prime): eight wonderful seasons, starting in 1928. Unfortunately, the ninth season, at the end of the war, is not yet available for us even though it has aired.
Ken McLean says
State of Happiness sounds good, but is not on any of the streaming services we have. Where can it be accessed? We too found the US “Bridge” inferior. The UK ” Tunnel” is better, but certainly not up to the Danish/Swedish original.