Catch Up // Borgen Series 3, Episodes 7 and 8
SPOILERS AHEAD!!
Episode 7 “The Fall” / Episode 8 “If You Never Change Your
Mind”
After the whirlwind of action that characterized last week’s
episodes we find a slight change of pace here. We may be approaching the
unthinkable (but very real) end of the series but said pace is not to any bad
end.
Following the revelations of previous weeks concerning all
the key words we covered last week, including the two that figure most
prominently in this double bill (again hash tagged) #health and #sex , we see
worlds crumble and new hope rise from the ashes of failure.
Birgitte is now undergoing radiation therapy when she’s not
busy in the New Democrat HQ and despite her efforts to carry on as normal it’s
soon painfully obvious something is amiss. A disastrous appearance on TV1 shows
a Birgitte we’re not used to seeing. That is, on the spot, without a
convincingly clear statement and mocked. She may try to rationalise it to
Katrine, herself now settling in somewhat difficultly into her Press Officer
role, but it’s not a pretty sight.
Within the walls of the ever more tense TV1 news team’s
studios things are no better. Torben is looking ever more distressed, his
affair with Pia now creating far too much tension than is ever comfortable.
Borgen may be known for its clear cut logic but there’s nowhere to turn here as
Torben is forced to reveal his sexploits to his wife, and Pia’s soon reversed
transfer to Documentaries causing much animosity with the team.
The ever reliable Hanne Holm says it best when she
criticises Torben on more than one occasion with words that imply his integrity
as Editor is seriously in tatters. Perhaps it is – but he himself is in
emotional tatters by the time episode eight concludes, bursting into quite
stunning tears and whimpering like truly hurt person after the rebuke from the
very punch-in-the-faceable Controller Alex concerning his affair with Pia. But
the key question remains as to whether Torben is actually now likable
considering how this arc seems somewhat forced; the answer – not likable, but
his actions thus far don’t say much about his home life.
Birgitte’s temporary lapse from greatness is perhaps less
effective by comparison as we know she will bounce back stronger than before
and refreshed. She does – and it’s a relief for the viewer as she deals with
the leak of her illness to the tabloid press and leaks from the New Democrats
camp from the somewhat unlikely source of Nete. But far more important than the
leak is the return of the much enjoyed fresh air of über economist Søren Ravn
who will hopefully continue to brighten up the New Democrats campaign room with
his presence next week as well.
Overall this double bill tells a lot of story – but will it
all pay off for the FINAL episodes? We hope so – but only time will tell…
Reviewed by Sebastian Gahan.
