Fortitude: Season 1 [DVD] [2015]

This was a surprise. I came across it by chance on Amazon and bought it on the strength of other reviews. Much better than I was expecting and now I'm looking forward to getting hold of season 2.

Take three parts Twin Peaks, two parts The Killing and one part The Thing, and you end up with this incredibly good crime thriller.The isolated, crime free community of Fortitude - a joint UK/Norwegian governance and the most northerly town inhabited by man in the show - is rocked by the horrific murder of a British Arctic scientist. The UK sends an inspector to independently investigate the killing, much to the anger of the four members of the local police department, and much to the suspicion of one constable who realises that the inspector must have left the UK before the crime was even reported in order to have arrived when he did. The town's sheriff is also perturbed by the fact the inspector is on loan to the Metropolitan Police from the FBI and has a background in counter-terrorism and forensics.Elsewhere, the discovery of a Mammoth's corpse - uncovered by retreating permafrost - puts the town's plans for the construction of the tourist attracting Glacier Hotel in jeopardy if the find is marked as scientifically significant, and the town's well respected nature photographer has begun drinking himself into a constant stupor after accidentally shooting a man - although the sheriff has been mysteriously quick to cover up that event for unknown reasons.As the newly arrived inspector investigates the killing, he starts to uncover a web of illicit and illegal activities in the small town and as the death toll continues to rise, he starts to realise his original reason for coming may not be his most important reason for staying.It's a great show, and the only reason I don't give it five stars is that it's spoiled by the last two episodes in which the programme takes a leaf out of The Walking Dead's playbook and starts introducing "death by stupidity" and characters that have been pretty sensible start doing this show's equivalent of a slasher movie character merrily quipping "I'll be right back" and then popping down to that dark cellar all alone. Ah well, hopefully they'll correct that now that it's been renewed for a second season.

After a few jars in The Staunton, Matt, Alison, Hannah and I used to go round to Nobby’s house and watch this when it was first on telly.We all really enjoyed it – especially Matt who really loves anything based around snow and ice. You only need to mention Hoth to him and he starts giggling, clapping his hands and rocking from side to side like an excited monkey.Anyway when season two started we all thought we’d start up the tradition again but Matt can’t remember a lot about season one, so I figured I’d better buy the dvd for a catch up. It’s the least I could do after the accident.I know we could watch it on a Now box or Prime but Nobby doesn’t have internet – he doesn’t even have a phone so it’s DVD or nothing.Anyway from the outset it is manifest that they hit a T junction in the production road when making this.Turn one way for the easy route, scraping the bottom of the barrel to pander to the lowest common denominator of audiences, travelling the trail doused by the likes of Davina, Hammond, Grylls and Griff Rhys Jones. Go somewhere sunny, easy and trite.I believe the film industry call it the ‘Will Smith Method’.The other option required a bit of effort and they did not shy away from it – and they, thankfully, do expect the audience to put some effort in too.This is very convenient, as it means you will never be in a situation where you have to explain what is going on to a cretin, as no Ben Shephard or Dermot apostle would ever end up watching this.This is all evident from the casting – you will not find the likes of Ben Wishaw, Ewan McGregor or Danny Dyer here. These actors actually work for a living.Gambonbonbonbon (named after a corner of a racetrack for some reason) puts in a fantastic turn, as does Stanley Tucci who also graces the sets with his presence. Many actors may be more successful but that is like comparing a band like Elbow or Doves with a band like Boyzone.Sales may be a measure of success, but are no indication of depth or talent.Christopher Ecclescake is also signed up, along with the likes of Richard Dormer (who can obviously afford time to make something good after his GoT payout. In fact getting a wage for being in that must be like getting compo after an accident).To be fair he is so much better on stage than on screen but he makes up for that here.It just goes on - Sofie Gråbøl, Nicholas Pinnock, Darren Boyd, Mia Jexen – it’s like all these people decided to fly in the face of convention and make something decent to show off their undoubted talent.If you’ve read any of my other reviews it should tell you how good this is as I’m not taking the pxxs for a change.Anyway it’s about a bloke who digs up a wooly mammoth (Mammuthus primigenius) that has been buried in the ice (C10H15N), and is full of frozen wasps (Vespula Vulgaris) or something that thaw out and come back to life.He tries to flog it but it’s a small town and he can’t get a buyer, the wasps sting people, people murder each other and the local sheriff (who is very grumpy) runs about hitting people who look at him funny.Gambon shoots a polar bear (Ursus Maritimus) that’s eating a bloke (Homo Sapien) who is handcuffed to a pylon, people try to steal the wooly mammoth to sell it, more murders, flame throwers and lots and lots of snow which keeps Matt happy.I enjoyed it so much I’ve bought the DVD for a catch up and might just watch it on my own as I don’t think Nobby gets it, Alison is normally asleep after getting bladdered and Matt will watch anything, but nowadays he seems to really like watching Milkshake on Channel 5. Hannah won’t come as she’s got a new boyfriend and he likes Sons of Anarchy.I think this show is the epitome of that crossroads I mentioned earlier – turn one way if you like Davina (Asperioribus Verbis Stultus Loquentes Stercore), or take the road to Fortitude if you have a brain.And a really warm coat as it doesn’t half look bloody cold up there.I know it's bad form to start a sentence with 'and' but I'm allowed to do it.

I purchased all three of the series, will I watch them again, hmmm.

Great story, well acted. You never knew where the plot would go. Def recommend