Nothing seems quite right in the Norwegian town of Edda, and a young man seems to have a part to play in the reawakening of an ancient struggle.

When teenage boys, along with their widowed mother, return to their former home they encounter a town seemingly in decay. The tap water is undrinkable, the glaciers are melting, fish are dying, and an implausibly youthful family seem to own and control every aspect of the town.

For anyone with a knowledge of Norse mythology, it’s probably clear from the start where this new Netflix show might be taking us. The town is called Edda, named for the pair of primary texts on the subject. This clearly isn’t just a knowing wink for those in the know, it’s setting the tone and setting us up for what is to come. For those without a working knowledge (and I include myself in that group) an early hint is supplied seemingly by accident, when the English subtitles reveal the name of an elderly one-eyed man. That was the moment I realised the series’ title should probably be taken literally.

The very first thing that struck me about this episode is just how gorgeous it is to look at. Scande-wegian drama has a reputation for this of course, but from the breathtaking mountains, to the impossibly beautiful people, to the very specific use of the colour blue, it is a treat to look at. But that’s not why we’re here, we have a mystery to unravel. Central to the plot is Magne, elder of the two brothers. He’s a charmingly quiet and somewhat awkward dyslexic with, we are told, a history of anger management problems. As he settles into his new school he strikes up a friendship with Isolde, an earnest but charming eco-activist with a YouTube channel and a slightly hypocritical snus habit (a sort of snuff variant banned in the EU). I appreciate how a show made, presumably, with an international audience in mind doesn’t hide its intrinsic Norwegianness. Little unfamiliar details like that add to the overall sense of otherness, even if unintentionally.

I can’t reveal much more without ruining the plot, a lot happens here. I can say that early on one character undergoes a mysterious transformation, and that there’s a shocking twist near the end. I’m looking forward to seeing where this takes us, it’s certainly one of the most unique pieces of TV I’ve seen in a good while.

Brooding, beautiful and intriguing, this could be a rewarding binge watch. Those of us not well-versed in the Nordic culture may want to keep Wikipedia to hand though. 8/10

Andy Smith