❮ Wallander
Season 1
Season Premiere:
Nov 23, 2008
Metascore
Generally Favorable
71
User score
Generally Favorable
7.2
My Score
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Season Episodes
Top Cast
Metascore
Generally Favorable
71
91% Positive
10 Reviews
10 Reviews
9% Mixed
1 Review
1 Review
0% Negative
0 Reviews
0 Reviews
80
It’s an atmospheric, pinned-to-your-seat winner.
80
The pacing is occasionally so slow and deliberate that it may test some viewers’ patience, but the series takes its time because the real mystery is Wallander and his uneasy inner life.
User score
Generally Favorable
7.2
70% Positive
14 Ratings
14 Ratings
10% Mixed
2 Ratings
2 Ratings
20% Negative
4 Ratings
4 Ratings
Mar 25, 2014
10
This is one of the best TV shows I've ever seen. It has a lot of character and is very well thought out and produced. I know it lacks the sex, action and flash of other shows (hey that's what gets good ratings) but the stories and the delivery of each episode is top-notch. The acting is better than Sherlock, the plot twists are better than... well, any show. Pick one. The writing is some of the best if not THE best to hit the small screen in forever. Yes, it lacks the aesthetics that make a hit show. There are only four reasons to not love the hell out of this show. One, it lacks sex and general appeal. Two, it is actually quite realistic and does not involve aliens, people with super powers or magic. Three, you've never actually seen a full episode. Or four, you've seen it but you are too stupid to understand it.
Jan 23, 2012
10
This is a great series. Wallander is obsessed with work and although he is a great detective, his personal life is often tragic/pathetic. The bleak atmosphere created by the cinematography and soundtrack is truly beautiful and help exhibit how lonely Wallander is. I highly recommend this show.
75
The cases he tackles are intriguing, if wildly complicated and too often sustained by that peculiar TV mystery mix of intuitive leaps and bad basic police work....Yet as with all such shows, it's the main character who provides the main reason for watching, as the long-suffering Wallander struggles to solve the crimes and put his life back in order.
70
Kenneth Branagh is perfect as one of its broken-down men. His face telegraphs defeat even as he relentlessly answers the call to duty, on a cell phone that never stops ringing with news of another crime.
70
As wonderfully played by Kenneth Branagh, Wallander is a fine addition to the tradition of PBS' "Mystery!"
70
I recommend the series, though Sunday's opening film, "Sidetracked," does present a bit of a stumbling block.
50
Branagh is pretty good at being mopey and jowly, and the rest of the cast is fine as well. It's just that none of this really adds up to anything very compelling.
Jun 23, 2014
9
A terrific series. Branagh's Wallander is a fine portrayal of a pitiful character which lends itself to the general grey dull atmosphere throughout. However, drawing the observer into Wallander's morass only serves to lead the viewer to an uplifted state at the conclusion of each series. In discovering that he is a brilliant detective and an around good egg, you just can't help feeling for the guy - if the central character doesn't spark your emotion then a story is dead - Branagh and the storyline achieves this in bucket loads.
Sep 26, 2012
6
This could have been excellent, but is let down by lacklustre writing. In every single episode, clues the audience sees, and would be seen by the police EASILY, are let slide, thus insulting the show's characters (and audience). Scenery is fine, production values good, editing good, but pacing sometimes shouts "must fill 90 minutues". Ugh. I hope he actual police of Sweden are not so thick.
Mar 28, 2016
0
What an insult to viewers: There are so many implausible actions and ridiculous omissions it becomes laughable. A detective story ought to show some awareness of the importance of credibility.
Nov 25, 2012
0
I think the writers really got the Wallander character wrong. The original series from Sweden, Wallander is a decent, internal optimist not a selfish, depressive character that people don't respect. Yes, bad things happen but his internal strength of character, love of classical music , his dog, and good scotch help him get through. Richardd's comment was exactly right, the character is as depressing as Inspector Morse! What's the moral message coming from this character?
