Okkupert

Added a spoiler warning, even though the scenario is broadly revealed in the first episode. What I love about this series is not realism--the scenario outlined is absurd for many reasons. What I love about this series is the presentation of a conflict of values in which every side (within the sympathetic, Norwegian society) is well understood. Russia and the EU are thrown under the bus in order to carefully examine a serious conflict amongst reasonable positions within Norway. A struggling restaurant can get money from outsiders, who wants to know too much about their intentions? People want to live a reasonable life, is it harmful, ethical to provide such services? Is it OK to extradite someone involved in accident for the good of country? Perhaps, most importantly, when is it appropriate to defend democracy in the face of fascism? And where is the line drawn between human lives and principle? When does police action become suppression of free expression? Don't get hung up on how ridiculous it would be for the USA to withdraw from NATO, or the EU to allow Russia to exert military influence on Norway. That absurd scenario is the bogeyman to allow deeper questions about the conflict of fundamental values in an ethical, democratic society.

If you are interested in global affairs, enjoy great acting, and complex story lines, this is for you. Produced by the same folks that produced The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo, the production values and editing shine through just like in that series. While others find the scenario implausible, I actually found it quite convincing and interesting. Norway, currently Europe's largest producer of oil, and the world's third-largest exporter of natural gas, decides in the near future to stop producing oil in exchange for thorium-based energy (akin to nuclear power, but still fictional). The EU understandably is upset because it directly and quickly negatively effects their infrastructure. Not too surprisingly, they call on the only regional power to help: The Russians. The Russians do a soft invasion to get Norwegian pumps pumping again. Now some have pointed out that this would seem to be against Russian interests because they essentially are empowering a competitor. But that is not the case. Rather, Russia now has carte blanche to ACQUIRE a competitor. So clearly in their interests, making the invasion quite plausible. By the way, love how the actors can switch from Norwegian, to Russian to English without effort. Reminds me of how backwards we are in America with speaking only one language generally. Like cultured Europeans we should embrace a mutli-lingual society. Bottom-line, great drama. Better than just about anything on American TV today. I see this going for many seasons. Would be great if American TV picked it up as is, Norwegian and all (a remake/reboot would ruin the feel/vibe, just like the remake of The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo with non- native cast ruined it).

10 episodes of blissful engagement. Somebody skillful achieved what I'd consider an understated style of the TV series '24', without the body count. A pleasant surprise. Things begin with a middle-aged man walking solo down the center of a snow- covered road, looking bewildered. A quick flashback to who he is and how he got there, then back to the road where the story turns into a snowball itself — entangling more characters and subplots as it rolls along. Every scene counts, and contributes to the quick pacing as the story unfolds. If you're watching these on Netflix, don't go past episode six unless you have time to finish. Don't bother trying to stop after that, it's not possible — I tried… ;-) Worth it's weight in subtitles, 'Occupied' is a great show.

I have watched this series till the 4th episode so I can't comment on the whole storyline. The start on the other hand is very promising: it shows a low level form of 'occupation' of Norway by a foreign nation on bequest of the EU (this is not a very likely situation, given the state of the EU, but okay ....). What makes it very much believable are the dilemma's that are increasing facing the main characters of this series. It is very well filmed and the actors are very well chosen and all act to their hearts content. Although I don't understand a word of Norwegian (I'm Dutch) and had to do with very poor subtitles I thought the story was very well written as well. So try to get a version with good subtitles and enjoy this series!!

I could not stop watching Occupied once I started - in fact, I binge watched it because I was so enthralled. It is a quality series - great writing, fantastic main character, and a plot that evokes a range of unsettling emotions. The premise is plausible as democracy is often at risk or takes second place to wealth and power. While Russia plays the typical role of evil super power, this show also exposes the self serving agenda of the U.S. whose politicians choose to strategically turn a blind eye to the occupation of Norway. I highly recommend Occupied to anyone who wants to be enthralled by a thought provoking political thriller. Hoping for a season two!

Horrible piece of hate propaganda. Russia freed Norway from Nazi rule under ww2. where thousands of Russian's people and other east European's died. and now Norway "thank" with hateful and misleading propaganda. Norway has invited US troops.. to occupy. Norway payback for a Russian good deed in ww2 -- hatred and falsehood to Russia and east European's.... Norway are the worst people in the world. Never not help them because it will turn against you!! Norway has one of the highest debt in the private and the corporate sector. Who would have just attacking indebted people... and such other illogical elements there is more.

This is one of the best political dramas I have ever watched. It is not Shakespearean like "House of Cards". It is about real politics based in the reality of our times and our probable future. The writing here is thematic, not lyrical. The story is engrossing. The acting, understated and well staged, is impressive. What I enjoyed most is the way this story avoids harsh stereotypes of villains and heroes. The environmental and geopolitical issues remain central, even within the spotlit lives of central characters. The scripts avoid sentimentality beautifully. Russia, U.S.A. and E.U., in the thrall of petrochemical capitalism, are portrayed justly as untrustworthy in the eyes of a responsible social democracy with one of the highest standards of living and high citizen satisfaction with their lives under government. This view into Norwegian society, under attack by barbarian E.U., Russia and U.S.A.in league with one another, is totally believable and also abhorrent, but the show does not overtly state this...it just lets the viewer figure it out. Brilliant, addictive TV from Netflix here in the U.S.A..

Wow! I am amazed at how many reviewers cited this as insightful, realistic and a vision of our future? I am not sure what version of reality they are living but the entire premise for this series is unbelievable in the extreme. Russia takes over Norway with the consent of the EU? Seriously?? If, as many said, this is a vision of our future then this series makes a strong case for ending the EU. The U.S. is energy independent and no longer relies on fossil fuels. While I will admit that may be possible someday and certainly a worthwhile goal, the idea that it occurs in the time frame depicted here is obscenely absurd. I can say acting was good. Writing terrible. Not my cup of tea at all and really not much more than a propaganda piece for the EU elites and far left progressives.

How on earth $11 million came to be spent on this ludicrous rubbish is something only the Norwegians can explain. Apparently an original idea dreamt up by a leading Norwegian fiction writer, 'Occupied' is about how Norway is led by a half-wit Prime Minister who struggles almost single-handedly against "the EU" which, it seems, has decided that Norway should be taken over by, er, Russia. Words. . . fail. Fail so much that it's probably a waste of breath to even point out that back on April 4, 1949, Norway was one of the founding partners of NATO, along with the USA, the UK, Canada, France, Denmark, Italy, Portugal, The Netherlands, Luxembourg and (bizarrely) Iceland. As a NATO partner, pledged to the defence of the sovereignty of its fellow partners -- of whom there are now considerably more than the original founders -- Norway is an active member whose participation in the organisation has consistently marked it out as a lead nation. According to 'Occupied', however. . . it isn't. It's a chunk of land Somewhere Up North whose fortunes are to be decided by something called 'the EU', an organisation which has no power in international defense and strategic alliances. Even its Prime Minister doesn't know about NATO. That anyone could even embark on a TV series 100% devoid of credibility beggars belief, the sheer witlessness of the concept mitigating against just about every word of dialog and every episode plot line. Evidently, the awful reality of just how profound a mess 'Occupied' truly is dawned on one of the original financial backers of the project; it ran for the hills and left the budget with a large hole that couldn't be filled until some new investors came along who've evidently never heard of NATO either. The embarrassment of it all also led one of the show's principal producers to issue a rambling statement to the effect that ah, well, no, it's not meant to be realistic, it's just, er, stuff about Norway and Norwegians. It's absolutely not about Russia invading anyone or about international politics or even about. . . reality. Russia rightly complained about the show when it first aired but has since ceased to bother, as aware as everyone else is of how utterly fatuous 'Occupied' truly is. Significantly, neither the BBC nor any commercial company in the UK picked up 'Occupied', leaving it instead to satellite TV to so ill-advisedly fork out for the rights. I look forward to the next 'original idea' from the creators of this daft folly, perhaps a story of how the USA is re-claimed by the UK and the Pentagon can do nothing against the arrival in Boston Harbor of 300 tea drinking British Redcoats armed with muskets and a couple of cannons. Now, there's plausibility for you -- Norwegian-style, of course. Verdict: unwatchable.

Occupied is a faced paced political thriller. Occupied covers political issues currently facing our modern world. Set in Norway, the film takes advantage of the modern architecture and vast wilderness landscapes to present a stylish modern setting. In this setting, the plot explores the political questions surrounding global warming, cooperation, isolationism and peak oil demand. The film moves quickly through a well written plot. The series has solid acting and excellent character development. With a diverse line-up of actors, Yellow Bird Productions gets it right again. Viewers may recognize Yellow Bird as the company behind the Wallander series. Occupied viewers must enjoy subtitles. Two Thumbs Way Up!