Catch Up//Borgen Series 3 Episodes 5 + 6
SPOILERS AHEAD!
5:
“Thou Shalt Not Commit Adultery”/ 6: “Sons of the Past”
The key words for this
double bill were thrilling one’s indeed. Among the many we could muster through
the dense rush of activity and development three emerge victorious but
beautifully disheveled. These are (and, yes, they are hash tagged) #spys #sex
and #secrets. With that, to business in picking the key points of just what
happened in these glorious two hours.
Well, that was a step up
from the last two weeks of episodes. This was Borgen at its political and
personal best, weaving complex threads and developing the characters along the
way. For the first time since series three began this was the goods you expect
from the show at its best. Hash tagged keyword and more than that!
#sex
It was everywhere in many
forms from the subtle to ideological. From the raging debate on the rights of
sex workers to the growing closeness of the usually stoney faced Torben and Ria
to Kasper’s admission to Katrine that he found her transition from lover to
mother a difficult one. Not to mention the revelation that Jeremy has been to a
prostitute – perhaps not the answer Birgitte expected when she asked him out of the
blue.
In typical Borgen style
there is more than meets the eye to these events and they all interconnect into
the narrative with great ease. Both Katrine and Birgitte take their newfound
knowledge very well indeed – as Jeremy says, Denmark is known for it’s
“open minded sexuality” or words to that
effect. But chez Torben (He does seem to live in the office, after all…) we’re
seeing unnatural words come from his mouth as he tells Ria he wants her in the
newsroom while rubbing her thigh quite obviously. Now who wouldn’t have spotted
that?! And when their sexploits in the broadcast suite are walked in on by new
Director, “Man Jewellery” wearer and creative room furniture lover Alex he’s
under even more stress.
But the main debate on sex
workers was the main attraction, asking quite serious questions to the viewer
in a manner that most British drama would be incapable of doing without getting
mired in embarrassment. This was viewing that kept your attention for sure.
Balance, balance and more balance was the key.
#spys
With a very welcome guest
appearance from our-man-from –The-Killing-and-soon-to-be-seen-in-Sherlock Lars
Mikkelsen as a top economist and candidate for the New Democrats we were spoilt
with acting talent this week. With the central performances on key the addition
of Mikkelsen was excellent. Just a pity that it was a guest slot rather a
recurring role!
Torben comments at one
point that things resemble ‘a John Le Carre novel’ and although he’s not saying
it in a good way – it really adds another dimension to the magic formula. When
Katrine starts digging up information on Mikkelson’s economics genius we see a different
side to both; an apology from Katrine for stepping over the line and a tear
from the former supporter of Communist values as he recalls a past lover committing
suicide.
#secrets
We discover much in the
way of secrets this week with the aforementioned spy accusations, Kasper’s
touching confession to Katrine and most dramatically Birgitte going into
hospital. The hand pains seen ever so briefly in previous weeks are now a key
point of drama. As we see Birgitte in a hospital bed, surrounded by nothing
else but white soulless hospital walls we see just what series three is about.
Loneliness in company has been a very subtle theme this year, from the
initially difficult interactions between Kasper and Katrine to the scenes of
Birgitte walking down a corridor alone, telling no-one of her visit to
hospital.
Even the revelation that
Torben has a wife (not seen before, although we could be wrong) comes as a
surprise, especially given his burgeoning relations with Pia. Will his secret
be safe with Alex? Only next week’s double bill will tell…
