Bordertown (2016–2020) User Reviews

Let the story unfold

[inuvik6 · 9/10 · 28 May 2017]

A juggernaut of unfolding story lines, relationships and cinematography. Excellent script with a series of independent stories that the main characters develop their ongoing stories and provide their back stories with every subsequent episode. This series is appropriately rated MA with full female and male nudity so if that offends you look elsewhere. If reading subtitles are a issue then this isn't the series for you either.

But if you enjoy a suspense building drama crime series with excellent cinematography and excellent use of music to build tension and horror then don't pass this series up. 9 out of 10 for me.

Amazing cinematography, great characters and good story!

[jasperkwint · 8/10 · 10 May 2017]

I just finished the first case (first 3 episodes) and I just had to write a review for this show! Its amazing and I'm so happy Netflix decided to buy it. I live in The Netherlands so foreign TV shows rarely air here. It's mostly the Swedish crime dramas that air. It's refreshing to see Finland join in on the fun.

This show looks and sounds amazing, great music as well! The characters are great and the acting is on point. A very professional presentation here that makes American shows look like a kids game. If you haven't given this show a thought or a try, please do! I'm completely hooked and pray they make a season 2!

Bordertown

[Tweekums · 8/10 · 17 February 2021]

Kari Sorjonen is one of Finland's best detectives and had been working in Helsinki but now he transfers to Lappeenranta, a town on the border with Russia. Here he lives with his wife, who is recovering from cancer, and his teenage daughter. He is part of a special unit investigating serious crime. Inevitably most of these involve murder.

Each case typically lasts two episodes, a couple last three, there are also plot lines that run throughout the series. These ongoing plot lines involve the possibility of corruption in the town's administration as well as family issues for Kari. Kari has something of Sherlock Holmes about the way he solves cases so it isn't surprising there is also a 'Moriarty'; a killer who appears in several stories.

I really enjoyed this Finnish series. Each story provides a good mystery and the main characters are a lot of fun to watch. Ville Virtanen does a great job as Sorjonen; I loved how he constantly moves his hands as he thinks through problems. He contrasts impressively with Anu Sinisalo, who does a fine job as his tough-as-nails, ex-FSB partner Lena. The rest of the cast impress as well. It might be argued that family members of the two protagonists get caught up in the crimes a little too often but it didn't spoil my enjoyment of the series. The series has a great look, especially in episodes where the already impressive landscapes are blanketed in winter snow. Overall I'd certainly recommend this to fans of the genre looking for a new location and interesting characters.

These comments are based on watching the series in Finnish with English subtitles.

Season 1 - Excellent, Season 2 - Annoying Plot Lines

[tira-a-w · 9 July 2020]

Watching Season 1 of this Finnish detective series was a wonderful breath of fresh air. Intelligent and progressive characters, story lines, cinematography and script; what a pleasure.

Season 2 however is quite disappointing, the teenage daughters of two of the main detectives are involved in far too many hectic violent cases, even though they had had already been involved in traumatic violent cases in the first series. This is far too unrealistic, unlikely and unnecessary. In addition, although the two detectives move heaven and earth to save their children, the teenage daughters demonstrate no gratitude or love, only anger, and become extremely frustrating to watch. Is this a crime/police series or a teen drama. I can only wonder what happened to the intelligent and thoughtful story lines of the previous series.

TO CHANGE TO ORIGINAL AUDIO

[sombudavari · 9/10 · 4 February 2019]

I started watching season two and was IMMEDIATELY disappointed in your horribly dubbed English audio. Luckily I came to the reviews. You can go to your options to change the audio to the Finnish (original) language! Keep the subtitles in whatever language you need. Do yourself a favor and don't watch the series the "Netflix" way. It loses the quality. You need the original actor's voices. Something gets lost without their tone. This is such a great show. Now I haven't watched the second season yet, but I loved the first

Top marks to the Finns for this show; more please!

[TweetyonIMDB · 9/10 · 15 September 2017]

Firstly, I don't write reviews unless I've watched the whole show or series. I watch a lot of foreign content and loved this series. Whilst I agree with one reviewer who criticised the show for wrapping up episodes a little too quickly, thus making the conclusion a tad hard to understand, this really affected only 1 or 2 episodes. Overall, the stories are well thought out, the acting is good and the scenery superb.

I liked the way the characters were developed and found myself invested in their personalities and lives. It's not just a cop show - you experience both the professional and private relationships of Kari, his family members and his work alliances. And whilst the stories do stand alone, it's best to watch the series in sequence to fully appreciate and understand the interrelationships that develop.

I believe a lot of thought went into the casting of the series. Ville Virtanen as the lead character Kari Sorjonen is superb - as well as being a nice bit of eye candy for we ladies. Matleena Kuusniemi, who plays Kari's wife Paulina, is just delightful and I cannot imagine anyone better for that role. Olivia Ainali, who plays their daughter Janina, looks like she could be their offspring and plays her role as a young adolescent, coping with all the complexities of that age group and peer pressures, very convincingly.

I'm hoping for a second series. Nine out of ten from me.

Would b 8+ but main detectives own kids are overly involved (Cheezy)

[tim_s_wiley · 6/10 · 7 April 2020]

What's working? The cast Kari, Lena, the supporting officers and story lines are great especially in the earlier episodes of season 1. This show has the capacity to really really go deep if it adjusts its trajectory. Kari is an incredibly unique character and Lena is equally incredible and intriguing yet different and the complementing case/family members are great. The one psychotic bad guy on season 1 was awesome too.

What's not working? They are overly involving the 2 main detectives kids too many times as victims in the plot lines... This just isn't realistic. I mean both kids have been separately involved twice in life threatening plot lines in the first season alone spanning half the 1st season episodes. If 50% of the season 1 crimes their trying to solve involve both lead detectives kids it just doesn't hold up... This is supposed to be a serious investigative crime drama. I have a hard time believing someone on the writing team didn't feel this as incredibly cheezy.

I really love the show and think it has serious potential but they need to keep it more realistic... and less forcing the teen angle into the story lines where it just doesn't fit.

[9.3] Deep-thinking Finnish series

[cjonesas · 9/10 · 19 May 2020]

Sorjonen (Bordertown) is an original and interesting Finnish Crime Drama series where accentuation is put more on the viewers' thinking and deductive skills than developing depictions of Police Procedural Crime Action Thrillers.

• (+) It has a strong penchant towards showing the main detective inspector's interactions with his family and vice-versa
• (+) It relies deep on events' psychological factors and how Kari Sorjonen manages to see the truth and solve the case step by step using his awesome memory
• (+) It has interesting, though a bit rushed, 2-3 episodes cases
• (+) It has a nice opening sequence complemented with beautiful cinematography and Finnish sceneries, shown in right moments
• (+) It has a good cast, all playing well, especially believable are the smartly eccentric Kari, Pauliina, Lena and their daughters
• (-) It is a bit slow, action & pace-wise
• (-) It mainly lacks the Nordic Noir vibe and the sense of urgency relational to the mentioned
• (-) It really shouldn't leave a case halfway!

A refreshing Finnish series where intuitions and psychological factors play a stronger role than bloody action thrilling dramas. Looking forward to its seasons 2 and 3.

It's really Finnish Sherlock in action with a soft side. _______________________________________ Had the pleasure to watch seasons 2 and 3_

They are both very good and share the same high standard as season 1; IMO though, season 3 is brighter and I really felt the need for it to have more than 10 episodes._ The relationship between father, mother and daughter is very well shown, played beautifully and ultra believably by the actors, making viewers believe that they are in fact a family._ Olivia Ainali is a very talented actress, beautiful and full of emotions, naturally shown on the screen. Would love to see her in US series. She really deserves to be recognized internationally.

The third season ended on some notes of sadness, but, nevertheless I truly hope that the series would continue on its bright path and bring us more exciting episodes on a possible season 4 and more...

Crazy kids

[danvaderman-19300 · 7/10 · 10 July 2020]

Season 1 was very good but once they let those 2 spoiled brats to do their thing the show was over. Do you realize that you ruined a very good tv show by just allowing those brats to take over the film and irritate the audience? In season 3 i was already F-forward those characters.

How do you solve a problem like Janina?

[grizzlydblair · 8/10 · 29 May 2020]

OK. As a practiced viewer of crime dramas and devotee of subtitles I fully acknowledge that these days, any cop worth his or her firearm in whatever country or continent they are employed has to have a troubled teen in the background. Usually, daughter; sometimes (as in The Killing) a son. I get that. It often bores me, but it comes with the territory.

I have just rewatched season 1 of Bordertown after watching season 3, and I love so much about this show, but has there ever been a more annoying troubled teen than Janina? Katia (here you get two troubled teenage daughters for the price of one) I can deal with - she is better acted and has more to be troubled about - but Janina is just completely and utterly annoying. While she was going through her prison scenes in the last 2 episodes of season 1, when she was involved with the revolting Elias throughout that season, and then during her emotional meltdown after Pauliina's death in season 3 I found myself fast-forwarding though her scenes, which, for me, ruined several good crime narratives. Maybe some viewers value these 'soapy' family, overarching narrative arcs in shows such as these, but please just give me the crimes and spare me the family dramas. They just, for me, take the edge off a show that is brilliant and absorbing for all the reasons given by the other positive reviewers on this site.

Watchable...But Uneven And Unrealistic

[redrobin62-321-207311 · 7/10 · 17 August 2021]

I enjoyed "Sorjonen," but then again, I'm a sucker for Scandi/Nordic Noir, so sue me. This series lacks the bluish-greyish moody tinge of many other noirs, opting instead for full technicolor hues; nevertheless, it had its heart in the right place. "Bordertown" is so well-filmed that the series felt almost like a Rick Steves travelogue - you can practically smell the scents of their local dishes like.ruisleipä (rye bread) or.lihapullat (Finnish meatballs). As detective fiction goes, "Sorjonen" most hit the mark. Mostly. My two peeves? 1. Kari Sorjonen's character. It's obvious that he's autistic. As a child and adult, his organizational traits are strong. Even as a bullied child, his psychologist noted he'd be unable to connect to people. Yet, there he is, an emotional feeling adult complete with a wife and kid. That part is non believable. Autistic people don't grow out of their traits, at least not to the point where they're living a wholesome family life. There's a reason why the suicide rate is extremely high with this population, and i should know. I'm one of them. 2. I get that, as a series, they opt to have happy endings always, maybe as a way to lure American viewers. What happened, though, is that many endings had forced positive outcomes that were rushed (crammed) into the last five minutes or so. That was an annoying and unrealistic concept, but I suppose from a monetary point of view, necessary. Overlooking these two missteps, "Bordertown" is still valuable entertainment.

Sorjonen - A Finnish Taste of Noir

[MatnvannPlatn · 8/10 · 23 June 2018]

Taking his leave from hectic Helsinki to find more peace of mind and time for his family, Finnish detective Sorjonen finds himself and his loved ones more and more intertwined with the intrigues of Lappeenranta, a small town near the border with Russia.

The show is subdivided into several 'cases' covering three or four episodes each, giving you a quick and steady build-up of suspense that keeps you at the edge of your seat and hungry for answers. The characters develop naturally, and their interactions are natural and witty. Cinematography-wise, the film makers went out their way to contrast the beauty of the Finnish landscape with the dull greyness of a small industrial town.

Sorjonen/Bordertown's reserved characters may be a typical and accurate representation of the overall Finnish disposition, but it's the rough edges, quirky little details and the snarky responses from the somewhat stubborn Sorjonen that give this show a very authentic feel. Sorjonen having to move an inevitable pile of paper clutter from Taina's passenger seat before he can sit down, for instance, is a very natural thing to happen, and would surely be polished out in Hollywood shows. Another refreshing example is Lena, a stocky blonde in her late 40s. As the actual unscrupulous ex-FSB Russian muscle of the show, she won't shy away from a few unconventional methods to get answers. At the same time, she is having a hard time being a mother to troubled Katia.

If you're looking for points of critique, it would be that some of the characters are surprisingly quick in recovering from rather traumatic experiences, and there's a few loose ends that remain unanswered. Also, there's quite a worrying number of really twisted people in the small town of Lappeenranta.

If you are looking for rapid action and wild shoot-outs, this isn't the show for you. If you're into natural acting and subtle, dark humour, then this is highly recommended.

Too much personal/family drama

[lisastewart75 · 7/10 · 16 February 2021]

Love this show but season 2 and even more so season 3 are bogged down with his sick wife and loopy daughter storylines. Throughout season 3 I would literally groan when the daughter appeared on screen. Frankly I could not care less about the detective's family life and wish they would've devoted more attention to the police team and their cases.

Another Adult Show Ruined by Teenage Drama

[pastafrolla · 4/10 · 7 August 2020]

The annoying petulant teenage offspring of the two lead detectives are insinuated into almost every plot undermining the entire series.This show would have been much more interesting had the focus been kept on the Special Crimes Task Force. The two lead detectives are characters that could have stood on their own without being dragged down with all the family drama. The acting was top notch except for the teens who were out of their league.

Apparently the first true Nordic Noir coming from Finland

[BeneCumb · 9/10 · 3 December 2017]

About a decade has passed when Forbrydelsen, Millennium-stories and others have spread throughout the world with their wittiness and approach. Until now, all other Nordic countries, even small Iceland, have had their own successful series - except Finland. But with Sorjonen/Bordertown, this shortcoming was rectified. And so vigorously!

Indeed, Sorjonen is no sneaking in, it is a versatile and well created story, with interesting characters and powerful performances (particularly Ville Virtanen as Detective Inspector Kari Sorjonen; somehow I have missed to follow this character actor before), where all members of the cast have their important contribution, there are hardly no excessive characters or events; even some story lines and scenes you might think lead to clichés, they have not (until now), but something has to be expected or understandable, otherwise all the plot would plunge into tedious mysticism and supernatural conclusion of cases. True, there is one case per 2(3) episodes, but there are strong links among them and new stuff from the past is explained, thus it is advisable to watch all them in succession.

Well done, guys! And beautiful Finnish nature provides additional value the whole concept. Looking forward to Season 2 already.

PS Season 2 is meaty as well, although Sorjonen himself is a bit less main character there. I hope they create more seasons.

PS Season 3 is even more psychological, emanating from a certain sad family event... The cases are more discursive, but still - it is a good series.

The Poor Daughter she needs to change her name to 'Lucky'

[iGlad · 8/10 · 22 February 2019]

I do like this series but the daughter Janina well she's not really has a great time which might explain her mood.

1.She been drugged and kidnapped 2. Arrested for murder. 3. Her boyfriend gets shot in front of her. 4. She's held hostage in her own home. 5. She worked at the same place as the cannibal killer and knew him.

Let's hope she has a much less eventful life in series 3

Top-Notch Show (with one issue)

[smashcut · 22 August 2020]

Bordertown features Ville Virtanen as Det. Kari Sorjonen in an engaging performance along with his underlings Niko and Lena (in a compelling role as well). Original and unpredictable plots keep the show riveting from one episode to the next. What doesn't work so well is Kari and Lena's annoying teenage daughters who create one problem after another with their stubborn idiocy. Kari's wife Paulina's subplots are not that interesting (though they eventually pay off), while both her and her daughter Janina inexplicably gripe constantly about Kari's dedication to his work (i.e. saving lives). You begin to dread every time he comes home because you know they're going to give him a load of attitude. As with the other great Finnish Noir series, Deadwind (aka Karppi), you wish the detectives were single and childless. Maybe there's a common perception in Finland that teenage daughters are unbearably full of crap, but it's esp. distracting in Bordertown which is otherwise excellent.

Good first season

[Calicodreamin · 6/10 · 10 August 2021]

Loved the first season, interesting main character and the murder cases/investigations were clever. However, the second and third season lost the plot and spent too much time on weird subplots and an overrated villain.

change the language

[tgroth2000-586-645261 · 8/10 · 10 February 2019]

Another review noted that Netflix has dubbed season two. Change the language back to finnish with english subtitles. Much better. Very good show.

Worthy watching

[flaviarsfreire · 7/10 · 5 August 2018]

The 1st episode seems too much, a bit exaggerated the whole mnemonic thing, but from the 2nd episode on the plot finds its way and it's really worthy watching.

Change the audio to Finnish (Original)

[BingeWatcher-49305 · 8/10 · 24 May 2020]

It's a compelling crime drama that I found quickly addictive. The character development is well done, and there's a nice mix of suspense and twists. My only critique is the dubbing is awful. Luckily I saw the advice of another reviewer to change the audio to FInnish and turn on English subtitles. This allows you hear the proper tone of the actors.

overplayed characters

[hacheaime · 6/10 · 20 February 2020]

Good series altogether, I have just watched season 2 and I feel that the show is relying too much on the special mental abilities of Kari. As for his daughter Janina, she is simply dreadful as a spoiled brat who has endless claims to her rights without much less to make her friendly.

Great acting and story lines

[rikbruinsma · 10/10 · 10 June 2017]

The stories and build up of this series is amazing. The way the characters match and are not overdone (like us series) is really good.

Ville put down an excellent role where you follow his pattern of evolving, not only work wise but also as the family man that he is.

I really recommend people to watch this great series, i've watched in one breathe.

Waiting for season 2 ;-)

Irritating chudina sorry janina

[drumeshfeb · 6/10 · 4 September 2020]

I would have given 8/10 stars if it wasn't most irritating character chudina sorry janina in the series..whenever I see her I have to forward the scene..

Annoying Scandinavian Noir

[emmapeel-2 · 2/10 · 20 May 2020]

The premise is that Sorjonen is this genius detective with Asperger's Syndrome, although that diagnosis is never actually given. I watched all 3 seasons, and I enjoyed the first season, but by the time I'd watched 2 or 3 episodes of the second season, I was thoroughly sick of Ville Virtanen attempting to play the genius detective, and by the time I'd finished Season 3 I was so sick of his bratty, out of control daughter, Janina, that I was ready for the series to be over. As Sorjonen, Ville Virtanen does a lot of geeky, awkward moves with his hands when he's "thinking" (e.g., waves his hands above his head, from the back to the front, without actually touching his head 'to shut out negative thoughts'). Watching him make these moves, I remembered when I got my first computer and thought it would be cool to attach different sounds to different actions, only to realize within a few minutes that what had seemed like a good idea in theory was just incredibly annoying in practice. My guess is a writer or director thought these moves would enhance the character's weirdness, but they just become super annoying mannerisms in very short order. But the annoying mannerisms are just the tip of the iceberg. In one of the early episodes in the second season, Sorjonen is interviewing a female witness and they're seated on opposite sides of a table in an interview room (of course) and mid interview, he puts one of his feet on the table and proceeds to not only remove his boot and sock, but then begins cutting his toenails, with bits of nail flying everywhere, and everyone pretends that's normal and perfectly OK because he's supposed to be such an effing genius. All I could think was, what's next? Will he take a dump on the table while interviewing a witness? The character is a narcissistic pig who expects everyone to put up with his crap, but I didn't find him attractive enough to pull off being so obnoxious. I liked Olivia Ainali as Janina in Seasons 1 and 2, but in Season 3, she turns into a narcissitic sociopath who goes from bludgeoning an injured dog to death to bullying the boy, Jarkko (Johannes Brotherus) who expresses an interest in her to the point that I wondered if the storyline would have him suicidal. That didn't happen, but if any viewer thinks for a minute that what Janina does in Season 3 to Jarkko is OK, imagine if she was a male doing the same thing to a female, and you'll see how not OK her actions are. Also, I don't know if this is poor direction or poor acting or a combination of both, but whenever anyone talks to her, she juts out her lower jaw and sits there with her mouth hanging open and a "Duh" expression on her big moon face, and that just doesn't work. Janina regresses as a character, in contrast to Katia Jaakkola, portrayed by Lenita Susi, whose character really grows. By the end of Season 3, I was so tired of the Sorjonens that I was happy for the season to end.