Borgen (TV Series) The Future Is Female (2022) User Reviews

Dubbing? What dubbing?

[Gulielmus-Princeps · 7/10 · 4 July 2022]

I'm really confused by the reviews here. The show is in Danish with English subtitles as it's always been. I don't know if it has an English dub or not, as I haven't checked. But on Netflix Canada it's clearly available with the original Danish dialogue, as it's always been.

Those of you reviewing the show should take care not to misinform audiences or rate down the show because you don't know how to change the audio (and/or subtitles). The show has not been "dumbed down" at all; agree or disagree with the politics (and there's plenty I disagree with), the writing seems fairly good and engaging thus far.

I give this episode 7/10; hopefully the rest of the season is good too.

Not easy but loved it in the end

[barbarabaker-24022 · 9/10 · 9 June 2022]

I've just finished watching Series 4 on Netflix. I have to admit it's not an 'easy' watch in that it's hardly the height of entertainment and it takes a bit of effort to get into it. Overall I found it compelling, informative, somewhat gripping and was very moved by the last episode. I was truly fascinated by all the stuff I didn't know I didn't know (but am glad I know now) about Denmark's relationship with Greenland. I enjoyed all the political moves and goings on, and was regularly reminded of issues around power struggles, ambition, ruthlessness, democracy, truth and denial in politics and the difficulties and potential threats of getting relationships with other countries wrong. Indeed it was very thought-provoking on that front and a key aspect overall. I thought the side stories were good (but not outstanding) as were the new characters, though Birgitte's assistant had a bit of a wishy washy role and I'd like to have seen a bit more oomph in the 'acting ambassador' character. The scenic shots in Greenland were utterly spectacular. I've seen all the other Borgen series and enjoyed those too. I think the characters (including most of the favourites from the previous series) are very well drawn. I'd maybe have liked a little humour and a bit more oomph but maybe the Danish don't 'do' oomph as they're too busy doing 'higgye' instead! I do hope there will be another series and all the regular characters remain. I'd like to have seen Katrine's husband play a much bigger role in it. And would have been nice to see Kasper back in there - he was mentioned but not seen unless I missed something. I think the Torben character was under-used this time and that was a shame and wasn't keen on Katrine's storyline this time as she'd lost a bit of oomph as well. (I'm not sure what other people mean by it being 'dubbed'. I watch it in Danish with sub titles and it was fine. In general I much prefer to put up with subtitles and hear the characters' original voices as even if you don't understand the language it still adds to interpretation of the characters in my view. Money Heist which I have to mention at least once a week to practically everyone I know or meet is the perfect example of needing to hear it in the original language to get the most out of it.) But all in all it's 9 out of 10 from me and I highly recommend it. Just stick it out to the end and you'll be glad you did. So it's Hi Hi from me.

A Character Study of Two of the Serie's Central Characters

[dctrainer · 9/10 · 18 August 2022]

Birgitte Nyborg and Katrine Fonsmark are the central characters of season 4, set 9 years after season 3. Both characters are tested in their new roles of Party leader and news chief, respectively and it doesn't paint a pretty picture. In the three prior seasons both of them took principled, difficult stands that sometimes came at high personal and professional costs for both of them. They were portrayed more heroically in the 3 previous seasons than the final series.

Now they both face difficult choices while in positions of power and find themselves making the same compromises they once decried and criticized while in more subordinate roles. More than once their supposedly important principles take a back seat to expediency and the desire to retain control and position.

We may not enjoy seeing them portrayed this way, but it is a realistic turn of events and the writers are to be congratulated for providing the framework for this transformation and the actors are to be praised for bringing them to life in a believable fashion.

As an American viewer I enjoy getting insight into 4 specific areas: Denmark's parliamentary system; the relationship between the professional Civil Service and elected politicians; the relationship between Denmark and Greenland; and the relationship between Denmark and the Superpowers. Very refreshing and informative. It has the best attributes of 2 long running US series, "West Wing" and "Madame Secretary".

Borgen is back

[digitalbrian · 10/10 · 14 February 2022]

What was probably the best danish political drama is back with a new season, it is hard to explain just how good this Danish show is, think The West Wing Danish version, it is also amazing how they managed to get the old cast back and jump in almost seemlessly where the show ended many years ago.

Borgen is Back!

[hramsay-27039 · 8/10 · 19 June 2022]

We were thrilled to see that Borgen is back for another season! The same intelligent writing and consummate acting. But the one thing that the producers (Netflix?) really messed up on was the dubbing!!! Why on earth dub it? Because some people can't/won't read sub-titles? And if they had to have dubbing, why on earth did they get random voice actors from the UK? Bent with a Newcastle accent?!?! Others with thick Scottish and Irish accents? Absurd!! Many of those actors can speak English. Why not just get them to dub themselves? But I just want to hear the original Danish, which I have become quite fond of. I hope that they will correct this if there is another series made.

Politics wins

[ikanboy · 8/10 · 9 June 2022]

Our heroine goes off on a " me first" tangent, switching from a green to oil plus position. Tiny Denmark gets to play politics with the big 3 and not very wisely either. In the end she comes to her senses. One major irritant is the murder of a character with zero follow up. Still quite entertaining if shallow look at Danish politics.

Slow Moving, But Well Done

[Hitchcoc · 9/10 · 30 August 2023]

The episode starts out with Birgitte having discovered a lump in one of her breasts. She is at the doctor and it is election day. Once she gets the news, she is overjoyed and litererally jumping. The majority of the show is about the events in the background as the exit polls come out. The New Democrats need thirteen seats to have political relevance. Once they have achieved that, new coalitions begin to form, with one making Brigitte the new Prime Minister. She has to think long and hard about this because she needs to look within herself for her motivations. Anyway, her decision is interesting, to say the least. It will also be interesting to see where the final season takes us now.

Great but ditch the annoying son

[ronaldsonphil · 7/10 · 18 August 2022]

I loved the earlier series and this was very good also but I got tired of Brigittes annoying son and her inability to provide strong parenting. How can someone be a prime minister and foreign minister and he pushed around by a child? And why would a former prime minister live in a house that only had one bedroom and then give up her bedroom to her son ridiculous!

How progressive!

[LCShackley · 4/10 · 19 June 2022]

We've watched the earlier seasons of BORGEN and enjoyed them, but I almost gave up on the new season. We're used to the strong feminist viewpoint, but right away we also got dollops of climate nonsense, animal rights drivel, and the usual uninformed anti-fossil fuel rants. Looks like things change a bit in episode 3, but I'm sure all will be wrapped up in a lovely progressive bow by the end. The self-righteous smugness of the progressive entertainment elite knows no bounds.

Trying to watch this and failing

[robdipb · 2/10 · 5 June 2022]

What have Netflix done?

An amazing show dumbed down by dubbing it.

We have di enjoyed the three previous seasons and were eagerly anticipating this new one.

However the appalling voices have totally spoilt the show. I am not even sure if we can continue to watch it.

We would really prefer to have subtitles.

I also recall (obviously not well enough) about a similar storyline with Greenland as the focus.

Who are the voice over actors?

[wilkpat · 3/10 · 3 June 2022]

My question concerns the robot voices doing the dubbing for this show.

I say robots, as the voices surely can not come from a human?

Before anyone jumps in saying that the dubbing has to match the lipsyncs of the Danish actors I must state here that the English speakers do not distinguish themselves by reading out the dialogue with no emphasis or feeling. For me, this spoiled the intro episode, and it is most unlikely that i will be watching any more of ths Netflix series.

A pity, as the Greenland oil aspect, plus the potential fight between lady politicians has all the makings of a good series - but the dubbing is not for me...probably the worst dubbing on film today.