Legal Eagles In Designer Raincoats: Aber Bergen ~ TV review ~ Nordic Noir Legal crime drama
Posted by ScandiNordic .Com on
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Bergen, one of the rainiest cities on earth, is home to this dark, serious, fast paced, fascinating legal drama.
The Aber Bergen legal team comprises a sardonic and sassy veteran and well known criminal advocate Erik, who we suspect probably would have preferred to be a ski instructor, his estranged wife aka civil ice queen Elea who pulls no punches with corrupt police or her wayward teenager, visually impaired and very droll constitutional expert Magnus, aloof and judgmental business spinster Diana (played to perfection by a much younger and usually glamorous Line Verndal) and junior associate lawyer Unn Frøynes. In Season 2 and 3 other excellent characters rise. Collectively they cleverly navigate shadowy political and the legal forces that influence clients and cases. 
Make no mistake, this is the Modern Viking landscape drawn with legal lines. The mood is woven through the series: Life at the top end of town is a dangerous game. Think on your feet. Keep moving. Don't waste time looking in the rear view mirror. This is a show for grownups, with storylines around group sex, teenagers smoking too much pot, gangsters, disability, love in the workplace and more.
As with most Scandinavian dramas, Aber Bergen is meticulously edited. No, No, you can't put the kettle on. You'll just have to wait. Fast pace, clever lines and plot intrigue willy keep your interest. After Season One, you will never look at a man dressed head to toe in Zegna the same way again. Who knows what lurks beneath the expensive threads?
Legally trained readers will spot various little 'in jokes' scattered throughout the show. If you can spot one, leave a comment below. We noticed there were more eagles than office staff in most of of the first season, as if the firm ran itself LOL. Near the end of season there were suddenly extras running all over the previously empty offices with stacks of files!
WIN!!! For the legal eagles ... In one scene, junior lawyer Unn uses a pink highlighter on legal documents. What is the industry preferred color and why? We'll send the prize of your choice from this store, to the first correct answer below!