Borgen: The Complete Series

Borgen is fantastic!NOTE: Borgen is in Danish with English subtitles.Simply put Borgen is the best political drama I have ever seen. The acting, dialogue, storyline, cinematography are all superb. I have recently viewed all three seasons (30 episodes) and am in awe of what I saw. (NOTE: Denmark is a multi-party Parliamentary government. On the political right (as we in the USA would see it) are the Liberals (in power when the series begins), the New Right Party and the Freedom Party, which is, among other things, rabidly anti-immigrant. On the left are Labor, Solidarity (Socialist/Communist) and the Greens. In the middle are the Moderates.)(Mild Spoiler alert)The three leading characters (there are many supporting players) in Seasons one and two are Brigitte Nyborg, leader of the Moderate Party; Kasper Juul, her media advisor (“spin doctor”); and Katrina Fornsberg, a television reporter.Season one begins with Brigitte Nyborg, leader of a small centrist party – the “Moderates”- approaching an upcoming election in Denmark just hoping that her party will do well enough that one of the major parties will include her in a new government. Through a series of unforeseen events (which I’ll not describe) both the ruling Liberal Prime Minister and the opposition Labor Party leader are publicly embarrassed the night before the election during a debate. Brigitte Nyborg gives an impressive debate performance which receives very positive press reviews.Though the election results in no party winning a clear majority, Nyborg’s Moderates make significant gains. Neither major party is able to form a government. After much maneuvering Nyborg emerges as Denmark’s first female Prime Minister. (Historical note: during season two of Borgen Denmark did elect its first female Prime Minister. She is now out of office.)Season one then focuses on the intricacies of governing Denmark, how being Prime Minister takes a huge toll on Nyborg’s family, and significant character development. Most of the characters have back stories which are revealed over the course of the ten episodes that make up season one. Borgen is very fast paced. Crises develop quickly and unexpectedly, often derailing carefully laid plans. It is riveting TV.Season two begins a year after season one ends. Nyborg is now in her second year as PM. Her husband has left her and one of her children suffers a serious illness. On the political front the war in Afghanistan takes center stage, as do Greenland (a Danish colony), piracy at sea, an education bill, and political intrigue. Nyborg’s leadership is put to the test many times as she is forced to make difficult choices. Old alliances wither; new ones are formed.Season three begins two and a half years after season two ends. Nyborg has been out of office for two years and is now a high-priced international corporate consultant. Dismayed by the direction she sees both Denmark and her old party taking, she decides to return to public life. Season three follows that return.I think Borgen is a tremendous series. All of the production qualities are superb. The subtitles are very easy to read, i.e. they don’t blend into the background. All of the characters are believable, and most are sympathetic. Naturally, when dealing with politics there are always a few slimy characters. They make things interesting.If you liked “The West Wing,” or “House of Cards,” you will love Borgen.

I honestly believe that, had at least half of the U.S. electorate viewed this entire series starring Sidse Babett as Birgitte Nyborg who becomes Prime Minister of Denmark through a political fluke, and all the seasons and episodes of "The Newsroom" starring Jeff Daniels as Will McAvoy as the prime time news anchor on a cable news network and Emily Mortimer as MacKenzie McHale as the program's producer prior to the 2016 general election, the result would have been decidedly different. In my opinion, the two series complement each other.But this is a review of Borgen, a program series from Denmark in Danish with English subtitles. If you happen to be fortunate enough, as I am, to speak a little German, then you may be good to go without the benefit of the subtitling. If not, it's pretty easy to fall into the routine of reading as the stellar acting performances play out on the screen. I first saw this series televised by LINK TV, repeated several times, though the sequence got truncated for reasons that elude me and became a bit disjointed and confusing. This CD set puts it all into proper order with a dramatic beginning and a tidy ending. If you've lost hope of ever seeing politicians performing in the best interests of their constituents, this set will provide you with a model of what to demand of them. Well done and still entertaining with many subplots demonstrating not only the competence and ethical standards we deserve and should demand of our public servants but also showcases the reality that they (and we) are all human with frailties and moments of poignant vulnerability demonstrating our humanity. A must see if you're interested in government, politics and compassion, as well as simply wanting to be entertained.

As someone described it, "Borgen is like The West Wing only better". Through elusive broadcast television I had managed religiously to watch the first two seasons of this three season series but when I could find no way to finish the series I ordered the complete set. For me it was worth it since the political and personal intrigue found in this series is superb. The cast performances are believable and you find yourself easily wrapped up in the story. Although there are episodes with a lot of English dialogue the series is mostly in Danish with sub-titles - no matter. The viewer easily settles into the routine of reading the sub-titles and the excellent script carries you forward without even noticing or remembering that it IS subtitled. In Great Britain, Australia and other English speaking countries the series has been a phenomenal hit and is reportedly being shown in at least 70 countries worldwide. On a recent visit to Copenhagen the Borgen series prompted me to make it a priority to visit the seat of the Danish government - the beautiful Christiansborg Palace nicknamed "Borgen" (the castle) by the Danes and where much of the filming took place. Only because of it's limited broadcast in the United States is "Borgen" largely unknown here which is a pity. If you like political intrigue with a human face "Borgen" sets the standard.

OUTSTANDING!!!!! This is the first political drama we have ever watched and it is awesome!! After the first episode, we decided that it was like a fine book; we just couldn't put it down. We decided to watch it straight through - one episode every week night and 2-3 episodes on the weekend. It was engrossing to see how the Danish political system works. Even though there are several subplots that run concurrently, each contribute to the main political theme and maintain the intensity of the flow. We would not have even heard about it except that one of another Scandanavian series we watch showed a 'clip' of Borgen (that clip was enough to view to decide to get the entire series). Don't know of any way to spread the word about this exemplary work; just word of mouth.

I've watched other Danish shows and they are very good. I've seen some of these actors on other series and movies.Try Mads Mikkelsen 'After the Wedding' with a young Sidse Knudsen. Excellent movie. I thoroughly enjoyed Borgen. For people who have good taste.

An extraordinary series portraying adults doing the serious business of politics and living. Not to be confused with the cardboard cut-outs in attempts by Hollywood or the television networks, including the Canadian, which amount to glorified soap operas with totally unrealistic plots (e.g. "Madam Secretary") and empty stereotypes. This Danish series portrays the rise and fall and resurrection of a woman leading a centre left political movement. It provides a highly authentic portrayal of the machinations of power politics without losing touch with the basic humanity of the players, from the Prime Minister/mother to the gay Justice Minister. All this is set in the context of a parliamentary system of proportional representation, unfamiliar but fascinating to North American political junkies, but its themes are universal. The series also captures the relationship between government and the media in a relatively small, democratic country. For sheer, gritty realism, this is simply the best series I have ever seen. Highly recommended for politically aware viewers.

'Borgen" was a complete surprise to me. A friend had just ordered from Amazon, and I was visiting: we watched an episode or two every evening until it was over. And when it ended, I wanted more. These are characters so well drawn, even the ones merely sketched, that they, in collusion with some of the finest actors I have never heard of before, come to vivid life. Who would have thought a drama revolving around a Danish politician/mother/wife would be so entirely riveting? "Borgen" is the kind of television series that cannot be ignored. Once you meet these people, you want to know more and more about them. Like a good soap-opera, twists and turns arise that can pull the viewer almost out of their chair. The subtitles are quick, well-designed for ease of reading and lucid. I did not often feel I was missing much of a speech (as happens with subtitles) and certainly some of the Danish will seep into the viewer's head pretty quickly. Anything much more I say will be redundant. "Borgen" is about people in extraordinary situations, acting and reacting as people will: sometimes well, sometimes poorly. Give yourself a treat and pick this gem up. At the very least it will open your eyes to the excellence of the better European television productions, if you hadn't seen any before, but had heard rumours...

Danish politics, not exactly the sexiest subject in the world, especially for an audience raised on "The Sopranos", "Homeland," "The Wire," etc. But, boy, was I wrong, "Borgen" does for Danish politics what "The Sopranos", say, does for the Mafia, ie, humanizes it and reveals the life stories behind the headlines. The acting is magnificent and the storylines are cleverly and skillfully interwoven. If you want drama that moves and excites without exploding vehicles, Rambo-like scenes of mayhem and gratuitous sex, than "Borgen" is for you.

This is an excellent series - interesting characters, very good acting, and fascinating story lines that revolve around Danish politics. A female prime minister leads a coalition government, with all the machinations that this entails. We also see the impact of politics on politicians' home lives. One of my favourite things about this series is that we see the intersection of media, reporters and the news game on the political process. The subtitles are excellent, although in series two I am wondering if the characters are not saying more than we see in the subtitles. Oh well. I have begun to pick up one or two Danish words, and that is fun. Buy the whole series if you can afford it, as you won't want to wait between series for the next set to arrive in your mailbox.