Åreakuten

Filmed in bright, summery colours in a beautiful setting this series needs no brainpower to watch. Nordic noir it ain't. Plot lines are simple, sometimes with gaping holes in them. People fall in love at a glance to the extent of considering a move to another country. Baddies are caught and the sick are (nearly) all healed. Incorrect suspicions about people that could have been resolved by a simple question to one character are spun out over an episode or two.

It's fine to while away a few hours watching this as escapism.

There were cliffhangers at the end; a second season is coming!

I got quite absorbed by this show. A read change from the usual hospital/medical drama. I am now an expert on how the effects of hypothermia and how to fix it. I find the involved lovelives a bit of a challenge to follow but overall, I hope they make more of this.

I am confused as to the reasons for this series? In America, we have had decades long traditions of featuring the difficult job of first responders. It's amazing to see some of the life-saving techniques, and the advances taking place in rescue equipment. And I would be amiss not to mention the compassion the responders can show to victims and fellow responders. Basically, we get the message that no matter the crisis, you can take comfort that there are people out there who can save you.

In this series there is infighting among team members, and we see some of the most inexplicable decisions made as they border on stupid. What I learn here is to never visit Are, Sweden. And if I find myself there, then stay safe and don't go anywhere near the water, or the woods, or ski trails, and to consider staying out of restaurants.

Walter Presents calls this Mountain Rescue, which is why we watched it.

IMDB has it as First Responders, which it somewhat different.

After 3 episodes there is only one mountain rescue, at the beginning of episode 1, the rest of it is just medical drama with the usual uninteresting relationships being featured between the characters.

Now, I don't watch or like medical dramas and episode 3 is a good example as to why.

Simply put, it is just gross!!!!

What is shown is not entertainment in any shape or form, and I ditched the series after this.

The production values are those of a TV drama-cum-soap opera rather than full-on Nordic Noir. So you give yourself permission not to take it too seriously... but then find it curiously addictive anyway. Edgy and atmospheric it is not. This is rather wholesome and straightforward tv, but that is definitely part of its appeal. It's a beautiful place! There is a lot of teamwork going on! The characters are very likeable! And whether they are facing up to life or death challenges or dealing with affairs of the heart, you find yourself rooting for them every time. All the action in Series 1 happens in the Summer season. Will we get a Series 2, set in the Winter? Fingers crossed.