The series "Fortitude": reviews, plot, ensemble cast

2024 Author: Leah Sherlock | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 05:25

In 2015, thanks to the television crew of the British-Irish TV channel "Sky Atlantic", the television project "Fortitude" was released. The original idea of creation belongs to the famous screenwriter and producer S. Donald, the developer of such TV shows as "Murphy's Law", "Wallander", "Abyss". Events unfold in the town of Fortitude, lost in the vast expanses of Arctic Norway. Season 1 consists of solid mysteries, in which allusions to "The Bridge", "Murder" and "Twin Peaks" slip through every now and then. The second season, which aired in 2017, held its own for the first 12 episodes, with all 10 episodes watched in the same breath. The final third season, consisting of three episodes, was shown in 2018. The Fortitude project has purely laudatory reviews, its IMDb rating: 7.40.

In comparison

At the center of the storythe show is a twisted detective story that takes the viewer to an isolated community in a Norwegian town. In this regard, many reviewers in reviews of "Fortitude" compare the series with the cult "Twin Peaks". However, the brainchild of Simon Donald does not carry any mystical shades, it has much more in common with such famous TV masterpieces as Chris Chibnell's "Murder on the Beach" and Ethan and Joel Coen's "Fargo". From the first, "Fortitude" has the darkest atmosphere of a town lurking mysteries, from the second - impressive snowy landscapes, a worthy plot and non-banal characters.

Storyline

Only 700 people live in the northern settlement of the Svalbard archipelago. It arose thanks to mines and mining, when the subsoil dried up, the municipal authorities began to look for new ways to support the financial system. The idea of building a futuristic hotel inside the glacier seems very promising to everyone. However, the conclusion of environmentalists does not allow construction to begin. Almost before the presentation of the project, the head of the environmental service is attacked. Law enforcement officials are at a loss, because crimes have never been committed in Fortitude before. An investigator from London arrives to help them.

Gloomy sketch

From the first season, the series "Fortitude" begins to escalate the atmosphere: a murder, a mysterious fossil find, a mysterious epidemic that affects only children, visits from extremely suspicious individuals and a dozenother non-trivial events. In the second season, it turns out that the inhabitants are completely promiscuous in sexual relationships, many suffer from marital infidelity. Throughout all three seasons, a chain of seemingly unrelated events enlivens the plot, promptly including the viewer in the unfolding action.

Acting Ensemble

The TV movie casting looks good. The first violin is played by Stanley Tucci ("Terminal"), who is convincing in the role of a British investigator. The Governor is played by Sophie Groebel, who starred in the Danish version of The Killing. The image of the sheriff was embodied by Richard Dormer, who appeared in the Game of Thrones. The party of the local guard went to Michael Gambon, who played Dumbledore in the final parts of the Potter. Also, critics in reviews of "Fortitude" noted little-known performers who reincarnated as less significant, but no less striking characters. The action is played out unusually sensually, with the heat of passion and intensity of emotions.

Criticism

Most of the reviews on "Fortitude" are positive. For example, regulars on Rotten Tomatoes gave the show an 88% rating with an average score of 7.7 out of 10. Reviewers were unanimous in their assessment of the amazing cast, slow-paced storytelling, and dark atmosphere. Metacritic visitors recognized the highest level of production, giving the series 75 points out of 100.

Many authors have focused on the fact that "Fortitude" scares openspaces no less than claustrophobic closed tapes of the horror genre. Of course, "Fortitude" is not "Twin Peaks", but at times cooler than "Whiteout". A successful combination of Norwegian flavor and British solidity is the guarantor of an intriguing development of events. Well, it is better to watch the riot of nature of the fierce north through the TV screen - it is bewitchingly beautiful, but only one picture makes it to the bone. The detachment of the grandiose northern landscapes, filled with sinister hostility towards people, is undoubtedly a winning backdrop for a brutal series on the verge of mixing thriller and horror.