I'm 1.5 seasons in. I gave it a shot since it seemed to sound like Inspector Morse / Endeavor, which I liked.

He seems weak. Physically. Mentally. As a critical thinker / detective. As a man. As a friend. As a colleague. He utterly fails when it counts.

Is this how the Swedes want their detectives to be? Or is he just supposed to be a tragic hero? Or what?

I find him unlikeable and a poor excuse for a detective. Seems like he should have been fired for cause long ago. Unless that's the writer's intention - utterly flawed and inept yet still closes the cases / better than nothing?

ETA: clarify that I'm referring to the BBC remake with Branaugh as the lead actor. I wasn't aware of the original Swedish versions. I wish I could watch them but they are unavailable or not free (at least to the services I have).

This message has been edited. Last edited by: konata88,

Well...At least he carried a Sig.

Yea. Looks well used for something never fired.

It would be nice if he carried rounds as well. Ran out after 3 rounds one time. Then failed to fire second time - either unloaded or empty chamber. Buffoon.

He is broken, and failing, but still doing his job, because it is all he is.

I liked the series

Branagh does a great job playing the character the way it's written.

Sarah Smart does a nice job in her supporting role.

Agree. The acting is good. Still watching S3 but he’s getting weaker and increasingly unlikable. Why a character like this is popular is beyond me. I can’t name one redeeming quality as a cop or as a man.

watched it years ago, and may again (the wife is showing interest in it)

I thought it was a good show, but a bit slow,

kinda reminded me of Hinterlands in that respect

just finishing S4E1. With each passing episode, I'm increasingly wondering how this guy made it in life to this point. Let alone how he managed to make detective. Seriously, wtf - could this guy be any more inept and incompetent and weak? He's literally stumbling over things. It's like 3 stooges except this is supposed to be serious.

I'm done. I can't take anymore. I was hoping for something redeeming but can't wait anymore. What a dumb fuck. I mean - the car scene in the middle of fucking nowhere. He's locked out of his car w/ a bunch of kids inside? Seriously?

I've not watched the new version with Branaugh, but the Swedish original was pretty good. Wallander's backstory is fairly harsh (for a Swedish cop anyway). The Swedish Wallander is by no means incompetent though.

quote:

I've not watched the new version with Branaugh, but the Swedish original was pretty good. Wallander's backstory is fairly harsh (for a Swedish cop anyway). The Swedish Wallander is by no means incompetent though.

Interesting - I'll try to find the original Swedish version. I stopped watching the one with Branaugh. I kept hoping he would grow a pair eventually but got tired of waiting.

The remake Wallander was a pussy. They turned Scandinavian angst into weak-willed whining. It was shot prettily though.

The actual Swedish series is significantly better,as the cultural aspects are more genuine and consistent. With themselves that is, certain things seem odd as an American but if you’ve had any contact with Scandinavians it makes sense.

I never bothered with the the “prequel” series on Netflix, it’s in English and only the lead actor is Swedish. Plus it’s woke trash from everything I’ve heard.

Edit-also the remake does a not great job of portraying what happens to him at the end of the series. There’s a reason he’s all fucked up near the end, but the way it’s played is a caricature vs jumbled decay and other indicators that it should have been.