Before We Die - General Discussion

[Door County Cherry]

Quote

Detective Hannah Laing becomes deeply conflicted when she discovers her son is playing a crucial role as an undercover informant in the investigation of a brutal murder.

 

[sugarbaker design]

I was very excited when I heard my PBS station was picking up this UK version of the original Swedish police drama of the same name.  I confess I've already seen and loved the two seasons of the Swedish version.  I have high hopes based on the casting, mainly the awesome Lesley Sharp of Scott & Bailey fame.  I'm one episode in and I'm quite pleased, the acting is top notch, and this production is staying true to the original - so far.

[12catcrazy]

Watched the first episode this weekend.  My God, why do these shows have to overdo the torture/violence porn?   My other half really enjoys British crime dramas but I'm finding that although I love  Endeavour, Midsommer Murders and Father Brown are more my speed because I can't take the violence and gore.    

That being said, I give this show props for having actors who look like average people (especially Lesley Sharp and her "lived in" face) and who are all really good actors.   I'll watch a few more episodes and see how much I can take it.  

[AZChristian]

Made it halfway through the second episode.  Too many illogical situations for me.

[zoey1996]

I'm very intrigued by this series. I liked having an older DCI who had a lover. Far too often, women "of a certain age" are considered sexless, if they're considered at all. So far, a couple of twists have kept my interest. Sean's torture/murder was a bit much, but just underlines how amoral the crime family is.

I'm wondering what year it was filmed and what years it's set in. The flip phones take me back a bit.

[sugarbaker design]

9 hours ago, zoey1996 said:

I'm wondering what year it was filmed and what years it's set in. The flip phones take me back a bit.

I believe it's set in present day.  The flip phones are burner phones.

9 hours ago, zoey1996 said:

I liked having an older DCI who had a lover. Far too often, women "of a certain age" are considered sexless, if they're considered at all.

And Lesley Sharp is bringing so much to this role.

 

[Joe Bacigaloop]

Lesley Sharpe is great in this series. She really brings a sense of ambiguity to her role as a cop and a mother.

Very well done.

Edited April 14, 2022 by Joe Bacigaloop

[One4Sorrow2TooBad]

I watched and loved  the original Swedish series , this one just doesn't compare . Maybe it's just me, maybe others can bring more opinions who have seen both. 

[sugarbaker design]

10 hours ago, One4Sorrow2TooBad said:

I watched and loved  the original Swedish series , this one just doesn't compare . Maybe it's just me, maybe others can bring more opinions who have seen both. 

While I appreciate the Brit version, there are huge differences.  The Swedish version had 10 episodes, the Brit has 6.  There is so much room for characterization  and plot development in 10 episodes.  By the time Christian executes Stefan in the Swedish version, it's already been established Christian and Stefan have become fast friends, and that Christian has definitely fallen for Blanca.  It's not entirely clear that Christian is wholly innocent in Stefan's death.  There have been entire subplots that have been wiped out of the Brit version.  Firstly, the Swedish version had an excellent subplot about this evil cop who murders an informant he has impregnated.  Secondly, the subplot of a mole being in the police department has hardly been mentioned in the British version.

Probably the biggest problem in the Brit version is the casting of Davor and his mother Dubravka.  In the Swedish version Davor is darkly handsome, and quite menacing.  His mother is gorgeous and deeply sensual.  So sensual in fact, that I thought they were husband and wife in the first episode.  The Brit Davor, while cute, doesn't carry the same menacing dread the original did.  The Brit Dubravka is more of a matriarch than a ruthless gangster.

The one thing the Brit version has going for it is the wonderful Lesley Sharpe, she's marvelous.

[One4Sorrow2TooBad]

There's also something so__ depressingly real about the music and cinematography in the Swedish version. Nobody does depression better than the Scandinavians.  I do appreciate no subtitles in the English version though...