A cold case propels Cilla and Rolf Börjlind’s made-for-Swedish-TV adaptation of their 2012 crime novel. The long-term mystery surrounds the 1990 murder of a still-unidentified woman, who was buried alive on an island beach and left to drown. The case comes to the attention of Olivia Rönning (Julia Ragnarsson), a student at the police academy, who learns that her deceased father was the chief investigator, and she decides to solve the mystery. That requires finding her dad’s partner, Tom Stilton (Kjell Bergqvist), who left the force years ago and is now living on the streets. Stilton, who is among the targets of a group of young toughs who are helping to run underground cage fights and beating up the homeless for amusement, is eventually located by Olivia, and he reluctantly joins her unauthorized investigation. That probe will also come to involve a second murder—of Nils Wendt (Dag Malmberg), who disappeared for more than a quarter-century and then returned, apparently to blackmail Linn Magnussun (Helena Bergström), the CEO of a powerful mining company accused of malfeasance in its African operations. Other continuing characters include a prostitute and her adolescent son; the woman’s pimp, an old snitch for Stilton; Stilton’s various homeless comrades; and a bevy of current cops, at least one of which is corrupt. The narrative is predictably convoluted, but all of the plot threads are tied together by the close, with a sudden twist revelation. Although it often strains credulity, Spring Tide remains intriguing enough to hold one’s interest. Compiling all 10 episodes from 2016, this is a strong optional purchase. (F. Swietek)
Spring Tide
MHz, 3 discs, 430 min., in Swedish w/English subtitles, not rated, DVD: $39.99 Volume 34, Issue 3
Spring Tide
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