LILYHAMMER: Netflix's First Original Scripted Series Premieres → On Demand Weekly

LILYHAMMER: Netflix’s First Original Scripted Series PremieresFebruary 17, 2012

Netflix

Demand Weekly provides new movie reviews of hot movies and shows on demand from the POV of watching from the comfort of your home. Today’s review: LILYHAMMER (Netflix).

LILYHAMMER
Netflix's First Original Scripted Series

By Jean Tait

Netflix debuts its inaugural original series with “Lilyhammer,” starring, co-written, and co-executive produced by Steve Van Zandt of “The Sopranos” and Bruce Springsteen’s E Street Band.

As with “The Sopranos,” Steve Van Zandt makes good use of his deadpan, hang-dog, Brooklynesque visage as mobster Frank “the Fixer” Tagliano. When a hit on Frank goes wrong, he decides to turn state’s witness and go into protection. Having been entranced by the images of Lilehammer during the 1994 Winter Olympics in Norway, Frank asks to be relocated to what he calls Lillyhammer. And so it is that “Giovanni (call me Johnny) Henriksen” arrives in the frozen north, new passport in hand.

At this point, one expects hilarious fish out of water high jinks, but “Lillyhammer” is a little more subtle than that. Instead of playing the Ugly American, Johnny (as he will now be known) actually studies Norwegian diligently, and though not prepared for the realities of deep snow, neighborhood sheep, and electric automobiles, he adapts quickly while still holding onto his unique character and his equally unique moral code.

I appreciate the unexpected attitude of this dark comedy. I loved FARGO. However, I have the same problem with this as I had with “The Sopranos.” I really hate when popular culture honors the Mafia. Frank “the Fixer” Tagliano may be a likable guy, but he’s a criminal and, probably, a murderer. That a TV show decides to make him the hero leaves a bad taste in my mouth, whether or not the show is good.

“The Sopranos” had brilliant writing, acting, and directing, but I just couldn’t like it. I know, I know. I love “True Blood,” and it is full of violence and murder. But that is fantasy. Vampires, werewolves, and fairies do not exist. Mobsters do. Romanticizing them feeds their self-rationalization.

End of lecture. Back to reviewing.

It is nice to see a non-sunny locale for a show. I realize it’s easier and less expensive to film in an always bright, So-Cal environment, but aside from the occasional rain-drenched show such as “The Killing” sun is the norm on screen. How I’ve missed Cicely, Alaska! Watching “Lilyhammer,” I can smell the aquavit.

So far, “Lilyhammer” is definitely a one-man show. Steve Van Zandt easily carries the whole show on his broad, slightly doughy, shoulders. After one episode, none of the secondary characters have much distinction yet, but that could change as the show develops.

The exciting news is that you don’t have to wait until next week to see the next episode. All eight episodes of the first season are available on Netflix. Right now. On Demand. This may be the future of TV (or media or multimedia, whatever!).

- Jean Tait

Jean
Jean Tait is a contributing writer to On Demand Weekly. Currently the Director of Programming for the Connecticut Film Festival, Jean has programmed for the Jacksonville Film Festival and Sundance Channel.