Borgen: Season 1

I am so happy that "Borgen" has been released in Region 1 NTSC. I first read about it in in the UK Guardian. Season one of this ten-episode series, which is distributed on four disks, introduces the characters and plot. It therefore might seem a bit slow, and even confusing, if one is not familiar with the dynamics of a coalition government, but do persist. By episode two you ought to be thoroughly hooked (I watched six episodes in one sitting, and the other four the next evening). The series is so good that I want to go back and watch it again and pick up the details that I missed the first time around.Sidse Babett Knudsen plays Birgitte Nyborg, who rises from political obscurity to become head of her political party. When the voters (in an idealistic scenario) recognise her sincerity and reject the political shenanigans of the conservative Prime Minister and the leader of the Labour Party, Birgitte's Moderate party receives a majority of votes. The Queen therefore asks her to form a government. It is fascinating to see the wheeling, dealing and compromises that she has to make in the process in order to achieve her goal.The characters are well developed, particularly those of Prime Minister Birgitte; Katrine, an ambitious young television anchor; and Kasper, Birgitte's slightly dodgy SPAD (special adviser) and spin doctor, who proves to be an unlikely common denominator between the two women. Knudsen's nuanced portrayal of a wife and mother whom circumstances thrust into the political limelight and who must consequently balance her very public life with her private life, is totally convincing, especially as she gradually realises that in order to be successful, she has to make compromises and concessions in both spheres.The series presents parallels to the perilous relationship between politics and the media, the mischief done by tabloid press, political infighting, and what happens when media moguls attempt to influence policy.Recommended for viewers who enjoy an intelligent drama, and who cannot get enough of politics.

First of all this is a rip off of "The Killing". "The Killing" showed very clearly how politicians playing politics affected everyone's lives. This show just removed the murder/police aspect of "The Killing" and zero'd in on the politics portion. However, this show is written to uphold the liberal propaganda machine. But even in so doing it highlights what most of us already know about the failures of liberalism--its hypocrisy--unintentionally. For example, "the first woman prime minister" runs around telling this person or that person they are "not ready for the prime minister role" while she stumbles, fumbles and just about collapses the government before she gets the role and again almost in her first 6 months. If that isn't hypocritical enough she and her "feminist" bureaucrats want to force all companies in Denmark to have 50% of their board of directors as women despite cries about how incompetent people would be put in place just for quota measurements. Yet, her own secretary is a woman put in place by a "union". And in every episode "the first prime minister" wants to get rid of her because the secretary is "inept" and was put there because "no one else would take her". You also have the sickening pro-immigration stance. Episodes on the poor little Innuit of Greenland and how oppressed they have been by the "evil white European". But you hear from the head Innuit's own mouth that their problem with suicide hails from their culture/heritage . . . "ancient times". The conservative party members are old, cranky men "of course", oh except when they are "stuck snob" females of course. The anti-Americanism bit is just too liberal for even liberalism. They site "bush" with a lower case and as if it were an adjective instead of "President Bush". They try and portray America as some rogue war criminal outpost oppressing the rest of the world rendering Denmark an unwilling satellite territory like we are the Soviet Union and they are Romania or something. They don't mention radical Islam. But they do mention how we have "illegal prisoners" of Islam and how their enemy parties in Denmark "want to ban head scarfs". They reference the last part with a gasp, "they wouldn't dare!". It is just rehashed headlines made up by liberals thinking if they repeat it enough it will become history. Sad stuff here.

Once again, the Danes don't disappoint with the brilliant political drama, Borgen. This series is so well written and gives an insight into the behind-closed-doors wheeling, dealing, compromise and backstabbing of democratic politics. In particular it explores parliament's co-dependant relationship with the media and specifically in this case, with the number one news channel, TV1. Suspenseful, witty, thoughtful and thought-provoking, the storylines are current and intelligent.Sidse Babett Knudsen in the lead role finds herself swept to power, an unlikely candidate for Prime Minister, and the first female leader for Denmark. She plays the role with vulnerability and conveys both uncertainty and resolve as her character navigates this new territory. Michael Birkkjaer was compelling in The Killing II and here, his performance as husband of a leading politician is warm, touching and real as both characters naively face unforseen pressures. To be honest, there is no weak cast member and the writing gives each actor an opportunity to really show their range.I don't know what is in the water in Denmark, but their actors are definitely versatile. I'm ordering Season II and looking forward to Season III in 2013.I really hope the Americans don't feel compelled to remake Borgen as they did with The Killing (and as they do with most successful Danish,Swedish and British productions) and then kill it (pardon the pun) by continuing the show past it's planned 3 seasons. It's a remarkable piece of television and a rare topic that is usually only covered in mini-series (State of Play). I'm thinking of gaining dual citizenship and proclaiming myself to be an honorary Dane.  Borgen: Season 1 (Ep. 1-10)

This is one of the fundamental series about politics. Far better than House of cards on my opinion, because it doesn't need big actors, shakesperian dialogues and great events to tell the complexity of politics and still make it clear and entertaining.It's not the american kind of entertain, meaning that actor don't have to be beautiful, scenes and settings don't have to be perfect, and photography don't have to distract you from the story. It's a story made of many stories, led by the leader's story (a woman, a mother, a wife, with her problems that never become central in her decision even though the series show how normal this people and therefore how everyday life get usually in the way while they're making big decisions). And it doesn't reduce politics and the story itself to a man vs the world, but it's about compromises, it's about not thinking you own the truth and, even then, you can't just impose it to the rest of the world. All with a very well balanced touch where there is not always drama in big decisions, but heart and brain, sine politics has to be approached like an everyday thing, part of our everyday life, made by normal people. And this is maybe the main lesson and the guideline that inspire the whole series

Series 1 of Borgen, a Danish political drama focusing on the female leader of a centre party, is best summed up as West Wing with subtitles and less optimism. Although West Wing managed the occasional moment of tragedy, it was fundamentally an optimistic series in which nearly everything turns out for the best and nearly every problem is fixable by a combination of soaring oratory and efficient politicking. Borgen, as perhaps befits a program located in a rather smaller country, is much more about politicians buffeted by events - both political and personal - outside of their full control and without the future being simply theirs to make. Great viewing, especially given the UK's recent experience with coalition government, making as it does many of the scenes rather pointed or poignant as a result.

Knocked out by the quality of this series. Very entertaining, wonderful to see scenes of Denmark, great acting and compulsive plots. Each programme deals with a particular political problem, but there is continuity of characterisation and personal stories throughout the series. Indeed, the interplay of the personal and the political is brilliantly done. One small regret: the gap in time and the personal situations of the characters between series 2 & 3 is a bit odd. Series 1 & 2 fit together beautifully, but 3 leaves some major changes from series 2 unexplained. However, I am certain this is one of those series I will watch again and again! As a bonus, the introductory musical theme is totally brilliant .....

Great acting, clever plot and a believable character. A revealing combination of political ambition and the stresses on personal lives originating from the demands of ambition bordering on egocentricity. It shows the positive and negatives of true coalition government and the operation of democracy in a way that is not understood in the UK or USA. The people of UK were reported to have voted for a coalition at the last general election - what nonsense - how can I, as an individual, vote for a coalition with only one party to vote for. Proportional representation gives a working coalition - as the series shows debate and compromise are essential to democratic government. Send a free copy to those with seats in Parliament. Having lived in Denmark I rarely saw voices raised so loud and so often but I guess drama makes demands that exaggerate personality.

YOU HAVE MY COMMENTS FROM LAST YEAR. WHAT MORE CAN i SAY? I'VE BEEN PUSHING THE BBC TO GIVE THIS AND SERIES 2 PRIME TIME, RATHER THAN SHOW IT ON BBC 4. BUT MY FRIENDS - A BROAD SPECTRUM - TELL ME THAT THE NEED FOR SUBTITLES RULES THIS OUT!WHAT, DOES OUR AUDIENCE HAVE TO BE SPOON FED? IN ANY CASE THE SUBTITLES ARE ABSOLUTELY CLEAR, AND IF YOU HAVE THE DVD - FROM AMAZON, OF COURSE! - THEN ALL WILL BECOME CLEAR.THE VERY FIRST EPISODE IS VERY SPECIAL! I MUST ADMIT, THOUGH, THAT THE STORY LINE WAS COMPLEX, AND I NEEDED TO WATCH THE BBC REPEATS BEFORE YOUR DVD ARRIVED, ON SCHEDULE AS ALWAYS!IF YOU LIKE ACTION BORGEN IS NOT FOR YOU, BUT IF YOU CARE ABOUT PUBLIC AFFAIRS - AND VERY PERSONAL MATTERS - THEN THIS IS BEYOND PRAISE!