Annika Bengtzon, Crime Reporter: Epsiodes 1-3

She Doesn't Report The News, She Makes It: The First Three Entries Of A Stylish Swedish Crime Series
To be frank, I was nearly put off watching "Annika Bengtzon: Crime Reporter" for the title alone. I was afraid the series would feel too young, too on the nose, because the name made me anticipate a sort of Nancy Drew vibe. I'm pleased to say that this set of stories from Sweden is, indeed, a stylish entertainment for adults. As witnessed by the slate of popular procedural programs on network television, we can't get enough of solving crime! I really enjoy having the opportunity to sample International programs, and the handsomely produced mystery series "Annika Bengtzon: Crime Reporter" deserves to be discovered by a larger worldwide audience. The series has a great cast, interesting location shooting, and a strong central character. It looks and feels expensive, and it held my interest as I watched all of the episodes over a two day period. The series currently consists of six self-contained adventures of about 90 minutes each (some a bit more plausible than others) and is being...

CRIME REPORTER Evokes As Much Nostalgia As It Does Mystery
If American television is any arbiter of modern crime, then it stands to reason that science has become the new Sherlock Holmes. Any number of CSI programs reminds us to "follow the evidence," reducing the art of deductive reasoning to matching fingerprints, analyzing DNA, and identifying the requisite fibers. Long gone are the procedurals wherein a smart and savvy detective underwent sessions of multiple questions with one subject after another, and this has had the singular effect - in my humble of opinion - of removing any real emphasis of `character' on the various players of any mystery while, instead, ratcheting up the quirks and idiosyncrasies of the chief detective. Sure, there are several hybrids on the air - TNT's stellar program THE CLOSER and its spin-off MAJOR CRIMES immediately come to mind - but, for the most part, the lion's share of any hour-long investigation focusing squarely on the science being used to still conclude that "the butler did it" without the butler...

Great Series
I purchased both of the Annika Bengtzon sets (episodes 1-3, and 4-6). Of the two, I enjoyed the first set better.

Each episode has a unique story line & they are all interesting & kept my interest. Most mystery shows are based on the lead characters being in the police force, I liked that this series took a different take & had the lead character be a journalist.

However, I disliked how Annika's marriage was portrayed in the 2nd set. In the first set, they've been together 10 years & while things aren't perfect, they are making it work (ending up engaged & married). Then, in the 4th episode, the marriage falls apart & her husband cheats on her & falls in love with another woman. It would have been better if episode 1 had started off with them having the falling out, because having it done in episode 4 is just not believable.

I'd recommend this to anyone who enjoys a good mystery show & I know I'll definitely watch it again.

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