I can’t remember exactly how I came across the Danish TV series Rejseholdet, called Unit One in the UK, but I am quite hooked on it, although it was first released in 2002. It ran for four series until 2004, and was extremely popular. Apart from the large mobile phones and the old-fashioned computers, it has really not dated at all, considering it was first made nearly fifteen years ago.
Rejseholdet actually means Travel Team, but I guess Unit One sounded more snappy; it features as you might guess a team of police officers with different skills and qualities and expertise who are called in by other police forces to help with difficult or unusual crimes. What i didn’t realise was that many of the story lines are based on actual events which Danish police had to investigate; it covers every sort of crime you could imagine. Because the unit moves from place to place, as a viewer who doesn’t know Denmark very well it is really interesting to see the different towns and places where the incidents happen; the fact that they are good stories, well acted makes it a really gripping series!
The main character is a female police officer who is promoted over male candidates for the job; she is supported by an older and more experienced officer who has insights into the various mysteries they have to solve. As with all such team movies and series, there is a younger rather wild and active sergeant, and his partner, a quiet, intuitive man. The team is completed by an administrative officer,and the truck driver who takes the unit from place to place.
I’m not surprised it won so many awards… I am halfway through the second series… two more to go!
Lois Elsden 