spokanegolfer There are several things that jump out at me. Wallander is a simple, basic, police inspector, with morals! The show makes his department seem unorganized and random. Directives aren't properly given out & he doesn't share the load. Instead, he takes over and handles most functions himself. He has a wonderful relationship with his daughter. Most people like Wallander, or have respect for him. The sad part is that he is a workaholic. His marriage falls apart, and then his health takes a turn. He doesn't regularly sleep, eat, etc, and time catches up with him. Somehow, serendipity steps in and he is able to solve every case. However, the hardship of the job catches up with him and he takes an extended absence. I am very surprised that it is scripted to favor Muslims and the refugees in Sweden. People have spent their life growing up and living in Sweden. It just doesn't add up, however! The refugees haven't been in the country as long as is shown in the series. Also, Wallander's daughter starts dating a Syrian Muslim, and apparently he doesn't practice his religion. With all of the crime associated with Muslims, I would rather that the show portray a more realistic view instead of the one in this show. Very sad to see Sweden as the rape capital of Europe!

bopdog Hard to rate! Season 1 is a huge "10." Season 2 is a bit of a let-down, maybe a 7? Season 3 starts so dreadfully mediocre and tedious it is easily a 3, but the last few epis bounce back up to an 8 or 9. I gave it a generous 5, because despite the first season's excellence, the subsequent uneven quality is, let's face it, a "fault" and shortcoming of the production team.2 or 3 so years ago I watched the first 7 episodes of season one ("series" one for British readers). I absolutely loved them, and was hooked. So I bought the entire 13-episodes of that first season, and it seemed as if each episode I saw was better than the last one. I waited impatiently for 2 years for the Swedish folks to get season two subtitled, and snapped that up as well, the day that second set became available.I am watching the 3rd episode of season two right now - and am torn between wanting to gobble them all up and watch them all in a row, immediately (!), and hoarding the treasure and stretching them out, watching them as slowly as I can manage, making them last, to extend the pleasure. The third season is in the mail to me as I write. Knowing I'll have 16 more episodes to see after the current episode I am viewing gives me the comfort one only gets from contemplating a secret stash of joy. My only wish is that they were high definition Blu Ray, and not just DVD - but the Swedish Wallander is so good I can overlook that.One word about the BBC version. I admire Kenneth Branagh a LOT, but do NOT like the series he stars in. I don't intend that to be any disrespect of Branagh at all; but it is important and needs pointing out. If you've seen the BBC version and found it dull and depressing - don't give up! Try the "real" version, the one from Sweden. You'll notice it stars Krister Henriksson - an unusual name for English speakers that will easily stand out for you.The BBC take is completely different from the Krister Henriksson Swedish version. The BBC shows feel as if they missed the point - or at least got such a radically different point from the Wallander stories that it well could be from a different literature.For me the great joy of Wallander is not the plots or the "exciting" police action, although they are interesting enough. Rather it's the tone. The shows have a "meditative" quality - at times even existential. They are very evocative. Certainly seeing these more personal views of Sweden and the people delight me, and engage me in a way few TV series can.

Steve B I have to rate this show highly! We have a hard time finding episodes here in the US. 2 different streaming sources have it here in the US. I found this show after watching the BBC Wallander, starring Kenneth B. The BBC version is really pretty good, but the 2005 version is better in my opinion. Krister's portrayal is really good. Season 2 is the best, but season 1 is good too. The stories start out subtly and grow from there. The day to day goings on in the department add to it quite a bit. Wallander is kind of like a Columbo type, but certainly not the same. It is interesting to note that even this series is a remake. I found the original Wallander, Swedish version too which is certainly worth watching but the stories were redone over the 3 versions out there. The original series which I think was done in the 90's stars a guy who is definitely like a flawed Columbo. I still like the Krister portrayal best. I am very much looking forward to the movie release in 2013 and the followup series if we can get them. If you don't like subtitles, then this is not for you. I found it funny watching the Swedes go to IKEA in Sweden, not sure why since that's where that firm is based. However, my interest is probably the view into Swedish culture too.

gtbarker The original Wallander series is a complete triumph. As others here I caught it on the off chance on BBC4 and full expected to be left a little cold by it. But I can't tell you how happy I am to tell you I couldn't have been more wrong. The first thing that grabbed me was the complete lack of silly old hat jerky camera that was always naff anyway (and which the British for some reason still persist with). Then I began to notice other things, very little shouting, no dumb music played over the dialogue. By now I was starting to sit up as it dawned on me I was watching a very rare thing these days: intelligent drama written for grown ups and blatantly not pandering to the fickleness of the under-25s. Once this realisation had dawned the real strength of this series suddenly grabbed me: the characterisation. First of all it was the wonderful portrayal of the passionate, but lost and vulnerable Linda Wallander by the beautiful and much lamented Johanna Sällström. Then it was Kurt himself and his flimsy grip on reality and finally and sadly not until the final brilliant episode that I got to grips with the hot head character of Stefan. Dysfunctional, deeply flawed and very human characters brilliantly written and superbly executed to breathtaking effect by the excellent cast. I honestly cannot think of a TV series that could be beat this. Can we please have some TV for grown ups again made in Britain? No? I didn't think so.