Review and Rant: Deadwind / Karppi NORDIC NOIR

A lot of people think of Finland and think immediately of their Scandinavian neighbours, Sweden and Denmark, and when it comes to crime thrillers, that's a good thing. But does the Finnish Karppi (Deadwind) measure up to the same standards as shows like The Bridge, Trapped, Nobel and Occupied?

I argue that Deadwind is nought but a shadow of it's Swedish, Danish, Norwegian and Icelandic mates' offerings.
This channel is dedicated to reviewing foreign films and TV shows, because there is a lot of good stuff out there, that’s why I started making these reviews but I think that a lot of English speakers and English speaking YouTube channels try to shortcut their way to sounding clever by doing just that: Deadwind… it’s Finnish, Finland is kind of Scandinavia… the show must be like Denmark's Forbrydelsen, The Bridge, Iceland's Trapped. Unfortunately, no.
Yes, it has some of the elements. There are a few tense moments, I liked the protaginist, she’s a good actress and she’s interesting enough to have kept me watching. Then there’s the cinematography, a lot of the Nordic shows have a certain look to their shots and that’s the case here as well, also the editing and music is extremely competent, they love a good looking title sequence and in my opinion where this show in particular shines, is the theme music – not necessarily the score itself, rather the theme of the show that is heard over the titles. Bordertown also had excellent music so the Finnish shows are really smashing this element, though I’m sure that the Danish composers of that Bordertown score would like me to mention that they are in fact, Danish.

Rebecca Patton from the the website Bustle says: It's becoming somewhat of a tradition for Netflix to bring Scandinavian TV shows to its streaming platform. OK then.
Yes, it is technically Nordic Noir, yes, it does even belong in that category – but no, it is nowhere near the level of Trapped, The Bridge, Nobel…it’s a bit better than Borderliner and Bordertown. Everything else is just riding on the coat tails of better shows. In my top 10 foreign TV series, which you can watch here - Finland is the only one of the 5 Nordic countries that did not get a spot… I think we can see something really good from them soon, they’ve got everything already covered except the right script – so, hopefully we’ll see one that hits it out of the park soon.

[pamfuller]

I have really enjoyed Deadwind! It's episodes don't give anything away. Karrpi & Nurmi work together well. They compliment one another.
They show will a great addition to a detective thriller that always gets their criminal.
I admire Karrpi's motivation & how Nurmi protects her. Good show.

[ณภัทรสุขแสง]

To anyone who has
not yet seen this series, you will not be disappointed .

[Magspiper]

Love this show but can’t remember plot and characters while I prep for season 2. Then again, I’ve watched over 30 foreign shows on Netflix that year. This show is great

[writingnjazz]

why did you stop? i need some more recommendations. just finished deadwind s1 and it was good enough, but i am as critical as you are and only want to invest time in the nest or great. will you come back? you really stirred me in the right direction and i miss your thoughts and insights. #American who loves real nordic noir

[causeway]

A couple of comments on a couple series you reviewed. I felt you were a bit harsh on Deadwind. I really enjoyed it and found the acting top notch. The plots were a bit of a reach. Getting a bit tired of corporate corruption in too many plots and the rebellious step-daughter angle is getting a bit tired as well, but overall despite the plot falling down a few rabbit holes the 3 seasons worked for me. Also I felt Fauda deserved higher in your top 10 than 6. I really thought the acting was excellent and did not have a problem with the relationships or the sex. Given the stress not unlike soldiers in any war, booze and a quick roll in the hay (or in this case, the sand) helps to mitigate the stress. I would have put Fauda at 5 and dropped A Very Secret Service to 9 or 10. I found that one pretty average. But to each his own. Keep em coming. My Netflix viewing would be hit or miss without your reviews.

[MarciaDoerr]

Season 2 of Deadwind just became available in the U.S. I enjoyed Season 1 but Season 2 did not engage me. Bordertown was amazing but the third season was very difficult to watch.

[robertdalessandro]

Absolutely loved Deadwind, lead characters have great chemistry!

[gladysconcepcion]

Love the show. Looking forward for season 4.

[NotaRichPerfumeClub]

Stupid idea to compare everything with Bridge... Don't put labels on the TV Series because of its origin, language, etc. This series is interesting by itself, aside of Bridge and Scandinavian noir stereotype... This series are deep, constantly changing and evolving tale about two detectives from Helsinki, two unhappy human beings who has no one to count on to, except themselves and each other. It is good, complicated in a way. People's relationship is described there in a very distingue manner without the Hollywood stamps. It is just not for everybody to notice though.

[sushidashi]

I think you came into this series expecting a lot and compared it to other shows often. I went into the show with zero expectations, just wanted to learn more about the language and ended up loving the series. Of course it wasn’t astounding as other Nordic Noir shows but for what it is, it’s still very entertaining. Also, half your video was just ranting on other people’s journalism. I wish you could’ve just actually reviewed the show as it is without mentioning other shows.

[seagull]

Im deciding on a foreign mystery show to sink my teeth into on these winter nights. Just started the Polish show the Mire on netflix, two episodes in and enjoying it. Might take a look at Deadwind next.

Your reviews are excellent and great observation about some of the lazy journalism and attitudes to foreign language drama.

[huseyinatay]

There are inconsistencies regarding Nurmi's character in the parts of the Deadwind script. but before diving into the mine in the lake where the nuclear waste is located, he got out of his car under the rain, rubbed some drugs into his mouth and spit out. This is an inconsistency. In the 3rd season, while he was offended with Karppi for 1.5 years and he was still working as a police officer, he confessed to Karppi again that he and 17-year-old Nea messed with his head in a nightclub and that Nea had stolen drugs from him. Why was Nurmi depressed at that time? Why did he distract himself in the nightclub in the swamp of alcohol and drugs? Nerve pain can't be the cause. The person who should be in the main depression is Karppi, but he never lost himself, he did nothing wrong. He did not seek solace in alcohol, drugs or men. He acted very mature and with character. While he was on good terms with Nurmi, his stepdaughter Henna was imprisoned with intrigue. His son was given to his grandfather. She was alone and Nurmi never spoke to her, she did not support her in this process. Therefore, the behavior of Nurmi's character is full of

[lylegorch]

I remember watching this one, but I don't recall any specifics of the plot. Interestingly, my reaction at the time was pretty much identical to the other post's (below).

[rjward]

Watched both seasons. It's quite good, esp. it's maintenance of tone and atmosphere. Yes, the theme is terrific. As for Nobel, I'm having trouble with the reiteration of Muslim stereotypes. Lead actor is quite good, but I'm not sure I can stomach the politics. Also, not a noir. Thanks for recs on Bordertown, Tabula Rasa, etc.

[sherryharrell]

I love this freaking
Anyone who says different is plainly STUPID! I’m very picky!
I know what I’m talking about,
Love the lead female, sidekick, plot, characters! STOP putting your personal expectations on it, and just effing enjoy it!

[larrymoran_THE_CODGER]

First off Sir.. Bravo Bravo. Your rant was spot on in every possible way. I am so glad that I found the link to your review here. I am very cosmopolitan in my interests, and enjoy good cinema and TV series from a good number of Western countries. I am an American, Anglophile, and dabble in learning German. I found the Finish language interesting enough to research its origin and language family. I did so because I thought Finnish sounded like one of the "Romantic" languages in some ways. I definitely look forward to more of your reviews. One other thing. I find that some "professional reviewers" of a certain age, and many of the viewing public. Are not very sophisticated in their viewing tastes. They give five stars to some of the most mundane, and ridiculous garbage. Lastly, the Entertainment industry is guilty of employing subpar script writers, at the behest of production companies that have no problem producing garbage that the undiscerning, usual young, audiences lap up with glee.🙄😒 I am going to add my own review.. (rant🤣) of seasons one and two of Deadwind here in the comments. I understand if you delete it from the comments here. Again, I do look forward to your future reviews, because you do champion quality viewing entertainment. I wish you continued success.. and "Live long and prosper"🖖😉

[tapaustesti]

Karppi is a good show, I enjoyed. Quite bad review to be honest. You don't review the show at all here, just rant about some other reviewers and their wrong words. I'm waiting for third season! :) And you compare it to masterpiece like the killing, the bridge, both are really master pieces. Karppi ain't a master piece, but its still enjoyable. I like how it has all the time new investigation going on. Bit plot and problems in family side. The main character for sure is huge part of the show. Filming, music, feeling all good. There are much worse crime series than karppi and would recommend it for someone who liked the bridge for example. Please next time compare at least compare to something new. Everyone has seen master pieces you are talking which are quite old already.

[larrymoran_THE_CODGER]

This is a fairly entertaining police drama. The acting is good, and the main plots in the two first seasons are involving. Also, where so many "police procedural" dramas feature a small team of ace detectives, with no support from other officers or services. Have to take on dangerous and complicated crimes completely on their own. Probably because of budgetary restraints on the production companies. This series does have a bigger budget feel with more extras playing the part of SWAT teams, and uniformed officers. The downside of the series is its use of the wayward, recalcitrant teenage daughter, and other old melodrama tropes. Every time one of the main characters goes off to investigate a clue or a location. You know that they will be placed in dire jeopardy. But this simplistic drama device is continually used, to my personal annoyance. So this is a decent police drama with stale 1980's tropes.

[larrymoran_THE_CODGER]

Hi Sir, I have a question for you. Considering that you are obviously a young adult. As an adult who is over the media treasured and targeted age group of the 21 to 49's. I wonder why so many Western society Entertainment production companies. Create countless numbers of films and TV programs, that are directed towards the below 49 year old age groups? Conventional knowledge states that most young people don't watch as much TV as their elders, if at all. It is also said that most of them prefer to watch media on YouTube, and many don't have TV's. While older people do watch TV and have more money to spend on entertainment. Aside from your reviews, it would be interesting to hear your thoughts from time to time. About the Entertainment industry, and current trends in Film and TV productions. I hope you will consider this, and wish you every possible success and good heath in the future. Most sincerely, Larry M.😊

[mootrail]

You're right about Trapped, wrong about Karppi.