Borgen Series 2

[Bellebelle]

Anyone else looking forward to this starting tomorrow night (BBC4, 9pm)?

I loved the first series and have been using serious willpower to stop myself buying the second series or looking up spoilers online (Denmark and some other countries are a year ahead of us). Have to confess that I have read some articles which give info of some of the plot lines but I won't put on any spoilers other than to say that it sounds good but a bit hard going at times, a lot darker than series 1.

Seriously don't think I've ever been this excited about a television programme, I actually wish the BBC would just show one episode a week rather than two back to back to draw it out for longer!

[DonkeysDontRideBicycles]

I'd get it, if only to see how things were when she first became PM. It's not vital to see it but some useful back story to the 2nd series. Plus of course husband Philip appears more frequently in Ser 1.

I never thought I'd get hooked after enjoying crime thrillers. Can you tell I'm a fan too.

[Bellebelle]

Minx Welcome!

Definitely recommend getting the first series on DVD purely because its such amazing TV. As Donkeys says I think it will also give you a different perspective on Birgette as you see where she came from and can better appreciate how much her life has changed.

So lucky to still have S1 to watch

[Graceparkhill]

Hi Belle Belle- just wanted to say thanks for info about Edinburgh Filmhouse on 3 rd Feb. The original screening sold out in record time as did a second one so the lovely people have put on a third show and DH and I have tickets!!
Apparently Sidse is doing a q&a at all 3.
Soooo excited.

[Bellebelle]

Grace Yay! So glad you got tickets, they seem to have finally satiated the appetite of all the Borgen fans with that third screening as it hasn't quite sold out yet. Poor Sidse is going to be knackered, maybe I should invite her back to mine afterwards for a cuppa and a real in depth chat about the hair

[thepeanutsparent]

Can't believe you lot sre going to be in the SAME ROOM as Birgitte! Today I spoke to a bloke whose wife is Danish, so obviously I asked him if they watch it in Danish. He said yes and they're already watching series 3! Also told me that 'Borgen' means 'the castle' which is the Danish nickname for parliament.

[AgentProvocateur]

What time's the third screening? I'm swithering between coming along and watching it on the sat night.

[Graceparkhill]

Hi Agent- the extra screening is at 1405. Tickets went on sale at noon yesterday . Box office chap told me original show sold out in 30 minutes.

[Bellebelle]

I'm undecided on whether to watch on Saturday night and then re-watch at the screening or waiting until the Sunday to watch. DH thinks we should definitely wait for the full 'cinematic experience' but I'm not sure, I tend to watch it twice anyway.

[womblingalong]

My favourite thing on the TV by miles. I think Birgitte, and the actress who plays her is excellent.

The last episode was amazing, we finally got to understand Kasper's back story, it was so horrific.

The Brigitte bun that was being asked about is really easy to do. Put your hair in a pony tail, at the centre back of your head IFSWIM, and when you are pulling the tail through the bobble for the last time, don.t pull it all the way, leave your hair looped in the band, the loop should be a couple of inches long. Wrap the tail ends of your hair around the ponytail band to hide it, and pin with a hair grip underneath. Fan out the loop into the bun shape and pin to your headwith a few Kirby grips.

[AgentProvocateur]

Thanks, Graceparkhill. I'll see if DH fancies a trip through...

[janesnowdon1]

Wow - finally caught up on catch up with Saturday's episodes. Poor,poor Kasper-brilliantly done, revealing the full horror bit by bit. Love the actor - he looks so hangdog and in need of TLC

Love. love, love this series - so jealous of the screening in Edinburgh - come south please!
A few queries though-
I didn't understand why it said in the VHS report of the stabbing of his father that kasper/Kenneth was sent to Juvenile detention? (thought if he was under the age of responsibilty he would have been free?) Any ideas? - didn't seem that different then to what would happen in UK and surely he would be in therapy and his dad and "friends" charged with abuse instead?

We also thought that it was a bit rash to prescribe anti - d's to Laura after having 1 panic attck meltdown and being a bit withdrawn etc. Surely you would try relaxation and visualisation techniques first or even some betabockers.

Really felt for Brigitte in the bathroom - been there so many time myself - very real. Agree with everyone about how fantastic Sidse is in the role.

[Bellebelle]

Janesnowdon1 I think the age of criminal responsibility simply determines how you are tried (a youth court or adult court) and the subsequent sentencing. Someone under the age of criminal responsibility who carries out a serious crime such as attempted murder will still be punished but there are limits on the severity of the punishment i.e. a child under the age of criminal responsibly can't be given a life sentence. That is a very simplistic explanation and is more based on UK law but explains why Kasper was still punished for his crime despite the fact that it might have been classed as self-defence. It's comparative to people who murder an abusive partner but are still sent to prison despite the perceived injustice I guess? I think we might find out a bit more about what happened to him but I can only presume that given that Kasper must have gone to University, went on to be a journalist and then into politics that there must have been some element of counselling/rehab involved as he has managed to hold it together to some extent. He said something about leaving home when he was 15 in the episode in S1 when we first learnt about the abuse so assume that he can't have been in the detention centre for more than 3 years. Maybe he was sent home but then left again and reinvented himself.

I agree on the Laura anti-d's too although quite a few things seem to happen quickly in Borgen for dramatic effect and the 10 episodes are over 1 year so it's sometimes difficult to know how long things have been going on in the background.

They did a screening of the first episode of S2 in London before Christmas and the actress who plays Katrine (real name Birgette - confusing ) did a Q&A. The organisers have said that they'll do more around the country.

[Sugarice]

I'm already looking forward to tomorrow night, we watch the first episode downstairs then race upstairs to watch the second in bed. We have it down to a fine art.

It's great not being able to anticipate where the episodes will lead, it is never predictable is it?

[janesnowdon1]

Thanks Bellebelle that makes a lot of sense.
Sugarice- no it is never predictable and very thought provoking. I watch it with my 2 teen DD's - we just love it. We all had a tear at Bent holding Birgitte's hand in hospital and our faces covered at some of Kasper's story.
The Afghanistan (1st episode) also prompted a lot of discussion in our house.

[teejwood]

Oh this so isn't going to end well. Laura kept that pill, didn't she?

And obviously the whole thing about the Crone (?sp) consultant being involved in war crimes is going to come out and scupper the whole thing. Is she being set up by hesselboe, do you think, given that the Crone guy is one of his buddies?

[teejwood]

Poor Birgitte
I'd love to think that that was the sign of a thaw in the relationship with Philip, but the writers are just so cruel to her.
And the report about being proud of the statsminister when she was feeling anything but that way about herself.

[teejwood]

btw MooMin - am assuming you will have been happy with tonight's eps - the return of Amir!

[Bellebelle]

That last scene in the hospital corridor was heart wrenching.

Quick question, do you think that Birgette being PM/the divorce are purely to blame for Laura's condition. Or is it more likely that she was already predisposed to anxiety (brain chemistry etc) and difficult home life have exacerbated?

[smugmumofboys]

Poor Birgitte. I feel exhausted just watching it. It's just so well written and beautifully acted. I really felt for little Magnus.

[teejwood]

wombling meant to say, thanks for the tips on the Birgitte bun

Now jealous of Belle and Grace [benvy]

[teejwood]

Belle re Laura it's got to be a combination of everything, hasn't it? Predisposition, compounded by pressure of having mum as pm and so not around as much as she normally was - at a really difficult, hormonal time for Laura when she needs that reassurance - then not even having dad around to speak with and hug or confide in. Instead, the divorce meant she was getting even less attention from both of them and having to deal with the emotional upheaval that comes from your whole understanding of the world - of mum and dad being forever, home being home - being turned upside down.
It's mirroring again, isn't it? Birgitte being unable to offload her stress to anyone and Laura the same....

[teejwood]

agree smug about Angus - he so wanted to do the right thing, bless him, and then feels like it's his fault when it all goes wrong..

[louisianablue2000]

Such a good pair of episodes tonight. I was reminded of The Hour when the businessman gave Katrine and Hanne the story about the oil. Giving them a story that appeared attractive to hide something bigger to protect himself. Or his northern allies.

Poor little Magnus having the whole Laura story to deal with.

I watched some of the first series on iplayer but missed some of it, I might have to get the DVD now.

[upinthehills]

Well, I blame Philip for a large part - he left Birgitte her when the whole family needed him the most. She is the State Minister - that has got to be bloody stressful - she goes to Africa for 3 days and then lead negotiations day and night.

Surely any decent Dad steps in surely to fill the gap - where was he? One night on the sofa and then the au pair does not cut it imo!!

Oh and Kasper and Katrine need to have a serious chat about work / life boundaries - if they don't sort that out quick they are doomed again..... but loving the fact they are both happy for once.

Godnat..

[MooMinCow]

Hi Teej! Yes was most pleased Dishy Diwan was back (swoon). Have been laid up in bed with flu all week and it was just what the doctor ordered

yes, KasTrine/KatPer really need to stop taking sensitive documents home with them... They know they can't trust themselves!