Twin

The Norwegian series "Twin" uses the conventions of the crime thriller to explore a family drama of secrets, anxieties, disconnection, and discontent under the pressure cooker of an investigation. Kristofer Hivju, best known to American audiences as the burly, red-bearded Wildling warrior Tormund in "Game of Thrones," plays the titular twins: surf bum drop-out Erik and businessman Adam, a husband and father running a vacation operation. They haven't spoken in 15 years even though they live mere miles from one another until the irresponsible Erik loses everything and comes to Adam for help. In the course of the complicated yet strangely plausible set-up, Adam dies and Erik helps Adam's wife Ingrid (Rebekka Nystabakk) cover it up, including posing as responsible father Adam while everyone (including Adam's children) believes the dead body is Erik. Hivju is superb as the free-living man-child facing the first serious responsibility of his life as an angry, rebellious teenage girl and an anxious young boy look to him for parental support. Nystabakk matches him as Ingrid, who has been enduring an unhappy marriage and now has to take charge of the entire family business. It's shot in the beautiful Lofoten Islands in Northern Norway during the summer, which provides a dynamic backdrop of stormy beaches and dramatic mountains, and the story (developed by Hivju with writer/director Kristoffer Metcalfe) takes some unexpected but satisfying turns right up to the powerful ending… which leaves open the possibility of a second season. 8 episodes on three discs on DVD. Not rated, features drug use, sexuality, and adult themes and language. In Norwegian with brief German, French, and English dialogue with English subtitles. Also includes eight brief "Behind the Episode" featurettes with the actors and creators discussing the episodes in English. Recommended. (S. Axmaker)