Atlantic Crossing Review: Angrepet (Season 1 Episode 1)
Action-packed and drama-filled, Atlantic Crossing Season 1 Episode 1, “Angrepet,” kicks off the 8-part miniseries with exciting, cinematic flair.
Angrepet is Norwegian for “attacked.” It’s a verb, an action word, and very fitting for the first episode of Atlantic Crossing.
I am neither a history buff nor a fan of war films, but I like all things Scandinavian so I am giving this series a shot. PBS Masterpiece has yet to let me down so I figure it’s a fair bet.
Just one episode in, I can already tell you, I am hooked. All aspects are appealing to me, including the history and the focus on World War II.
From beginning to end, this episode is riveting.
The basis of the series is the relationship between Crown Princess Märtha of Norway (Sofia Helin) and President Franklin D. Roosevelt (Kyle MacLachlan), so naturally, it starts with their meeting in 1939. Roosevelt is charmed by the princess and she has “fallen in love with America.”
A year later, Roosevelt is tracking Germany’s advancements and foresees danger for his friends in the North. Keen to control Norwegian ports and iron ore mines essential for steel transportation and production, Hitler orders the invasion of Denmark and Norway.
And thus, the harrowing part of the story begins.
It’s quite stressful to watch but in a good way — an uneasiness sets in and doesn’t abate until the end credits roll. The action is gripping, putting one on the edge of one’s seat for the bulk of the episode. The drama and performances are captivating which helps viewers really feel the threat and sense of danger.
The German attacks are frightening, the Nazis are terrifying; and Norway is a beautiful, winter wonderland in contrast to the cruelty. Dark, snowy, dense forest-lined roads intensify the traveling scenes. At every turn, it feels like a safe escape is impossible.
We follow the Royal Family on this treacherous journey, splitting it when Crown Prince Olav (Tobias Santelmann) sends Märtha and the children to her native Sweden. This familial aspect breaks up the politics and the action to have a more humanistic throughline. And furthermore, time is taken to show the hardships and loss of non-royals.
There’s the devastating attack on a Norwegian passenger ship that is shot and edited so well—it gives me the same feeling I get when I’m sucked into a story on the big screen at the theater. It’s that kind of excitement, that nail-biting, immersive energy.
But, again, it’s tempered with the gentleness of the Court staff that flee with the Royal Family and those that stay behind to hold down Skaugum Estate. The sacrifices they are making in the name of duty are huge.
Husband and wife Nikolai (Lasse Kolsrud) and Ragni (Anneke von der Lippe), are attendants to Olav and Märtha, and they must split up their own family as well. They flee with their youngest child, leaving behind the two oldest. All of this could have been left out, but I’m glad it’s there. There are many small moments that build up the audience’s connection to these minor characters and subplots.
Another notable running theme is the portrayal of strong women. We see so much of the male perspective when it comes to the subject of war — Atlantic Crossing is centering on the women. As fear of an invasion escalates, Märtha asks the American Ambassador about the likelihood of an attack. Florence Harriman (Suzanne Bertish) is the U.S. representative and a fellow woman. She gives Märtha the vague but dire warning, “Prepare for the worst.”
What did you think of this episode of Atlantic Crossing? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
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Atlantic Crossing airs Sundays at 9/8c on PBS.
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Erin Allen
Erin is a former script supervisor for film and television. She's an avid fan of middle aged actresses, dark dramas, and irreverent comedies. She loves to read actual books and X-Files fan fiction. Her other passions include pointing out feminist issues, shipping Mulder and Scully, and collecting pop culture mugs.