Sorjonen

This crime series delivered exactly what I expect from Scandinavian production. At first, I even wondered if it wasn’t inspired by Bron a little too much, but the Finns decided to go their own way and they did a pretty good job overall. The series did have a few flaws, though. Namely, the second season was unbalanced in quality, and the conclusions to most of the individual cases seemed kind of half-baked and hasty, but I was satisfied on the whole. (26.09.2021)

I enjoyed the first season, but I just wasn’t particularly impressed. What annoyed me were the rushed endings to each miniseries, plus I couldn't help noticing that the Finns really liked The Bridge, and since they couldn't find a suitable one, they settled for the Karelian Isthmus instead. But enough nitpicking, I had a good time with the first season, and I’ll definitely watch the next one. (14.09.2021)

After watching the pilot episode, I'm left with mixed feelings. The main character's deductive skills during the investigation would make even Sherlock Holmes proud, but his personal life seems to be a bit of a struggle at times. It's a well-established model among Scandinavians, and coupled with the traditional gloomy atmosphere, it signaled to me not to expect any groundbreaking surprises. However, I must admit, the plot did manage to intrigue me. So, despite my initial grumbles, I'm giving it a solid three stars. (06.09.2021)

All the familiar tropes of Scandinavian crime stories made their appearance, but strangely, I found myself not minding at all. The writers seemed to make a conscious effort (and succeeded) to avoid the usual pitfalls of generic plotlines. As a result, I was treated to an episode where everything just clicked. There was tension, and engaging interactions between the main hero and his colleagues and family, and if this momentum continues, I could end up being thoroughly satisfied with the series. (07.09.2021)

Episode three was like a Kinder Surprise egg, being the grand finale of a miniseries cleverly hidden within the first season. Sneaky, sneaky Finns! Curious, I peeked at the titles of the upcoming episodes and lo and behold, they did the same with the entire first season. Just when I thought I had it all figured out! Sure, there were a couple of hiccups along the way, but hey, what's the point in nitpicking when I'm satisfied overall? (08.09.2021)

The fourth episode felt like chaos - the time jumping had my brain doing somersaults. But you know what? It all started to come together, like pieces of a puzzle falling into place. Suddenly, I wasn't lost in the maze of timelines anymore, and my analytical brain cells seemed to wake up from their slumber. 4*- (10.09.2021)

Sorjonen's second case didn't quite hit the mark compared to the previous investigation. The main theme felt notably weaker, and as a result, the tension decreased - it just couldn't hold up to the high standard set by The Doll's House. Boredom wasn't an issue, but it was definitely a step down. 3*+ (10.09.2021)

I am still watching the first season, and for the third time, I find myself at the beginning - talk about paradoxes! It's hard to say definitively, but it looks like the third miniseries brought a stronger story than the last one. I was really into the plot of this episode, so I'm hoping the creators keep it up. (11.09.2021)

They absolutely nailed it with the seventh episode! It had everything you'd want in a good crime show: a gripping atmosphere, top-notch tension, and it left a much better impression on me than the previous case. The creators really brought their A-game this time. But let's talk about Katia. If she needed a psychologist before, now it looks like she's heading straight for a psychiatrist. At this rate, she'll be ready for a padded cell in no time. (11.09.2021)

Sorjonen's fourth case kicked off with a damn good opener, reminiscent of the suddenly revived corpse under the Little Tree air fresheners in Fincher's Se7en. I'm all about this kind of craziness, which probably says something about me. Well, it takes all kinds, Sorjonen including. I'd rate this episode as a success; it smoothly drew me into the story and kept me entertained. 4*+ (12.09.2021)

It seems like the creators really need to work on their endings. I'm thoroughly enjoying the whole miniseries, getting engrossed in the plot, and then suddenly, the finale hits like someone I trust stealing my wallet. It's always this rush to wrap things up, leaving me feeling a bit shortchanged. As a viewer invested in the show, I feel like we deserve a more fleshed-out finale. Despite this, the lack of tension didn't bother me much in this episode. I was so engrossed in the investigation's progress that it made up for the missing suspense. (12.09.2021)

The tenth episode didn't have a frantic pace, yet it managed to pack in a huge amount of events. People and pigs vanished, met their demise, got dissected - all with an almost nonchalant attitude towards bloodshed. Hats off. The only hiccup for me was the focus on the main character's daughter, a character I found hard to like. But then again, it seems to be a common theme with investigators' films and series, so I'll chalk that up to personal taste. 4*- (14.09.2021)

In the end, we were treated to a classic battle of wits between investigator and suspect. I found myself yearning for more tension in this episode. It was all a bit too predictable for my taste; I could see the resolution coming from a mile away, leaving me without much to fret about. Overall, this round felt noticeably weaker for me. (14.09.2021)

The second season was weirdly unbalanced. The opening miniseries was quite disappointing. The following three excellent cases managed to make up for that, but then the two final episodes weren’t exactly impressive either. Still, the decent middle part convinced me that the creators still have it in them, and I'll definitely check out season three. 4*- (19.09.2021)

I'd dub the first miniseries as 'Caught up by the Past.' I must admit, this episode left me a bit conflicted. While some parts of the plot were intriguing, others didn't quite catch my interest. I found myself wishing for more investigative elements and less focus on the family drama, especially since I have a rather negative relationship with Katia (as well as both the Sorjonen women), leaving me fairly indifferent towards their storylines. (15.09.2021)

What a letdown. The direction of the previous episode already hinted at where the story might go, but even so, I didn't anticipate the logical missteps that occurred here, especially given the strong storytelling in the first season. This was the first time I found myself truly dissatisfied with the series And as for Katia... How can I root for a character who repeatedly demonstrates the intelligence of an oak plank? (15.09.2021)

The second case had me hooked right from the start. This episode maintained a mysterious atmosphere throughout, and it looks like the owls aren't what they seem once again. The creators really redeemed themselves with this one, making up for the tarnished reputation from the previous family drama. I have faith they'll manage to keep up the momentum! (16.09.2021)

What a tricky case! I'm still puzzling over who was really the victim and who was the culprit in the end. When the show creators can get me into that state of mind, they're definitely doing something right. The leap in quality between the first and second miniseries was huge for me; this time, I was thoroughly entertained with no dull moments. 4*+ (16.09.2021)

The first miniseries of the second season truly horrified me, the second one resolved everything, and the third promised to ramp up the excitement even further. Episode five was a highlight for me, despite Sorjonen's personal troubles putting a damper on things. It feels like every time I turn on the news, it's Covid this and Covid that, and in movies and series, it's always cancer. Can't we have someone succumb to gangrene or glanders for a change? It would certainly spice things up! Nonetheless, the new case in this episode intrigued me, and Sorjonen's untypical situation added an extra layer. Overall, I found it quite enjoyable. (17.09.2021)

Episode six of this mini-series continues the streak of quality set by its predecessors. The case presented here was genuinely intriguing and kept me on the edge of my seat from start to finish. I found myself fully immersed in the investigation. That being said, there are still a few characters that get under my skin. I won't call them out individually to avoid sounding repetitive, but they remain a bit of a nuisance. I can't help but hope that the upcoming cases will maintain this level of quality. (17.09.2021)