12 June 2014 | einartorkelsenyt
A tiny piece of philosophical art.
'Dag' is definitely the best drama to come out of Norway. The writing of this superb drama is exceptional, especially by Norwegian standards. As much as it saddens me to say so, most of the television to have come out of Norway has usually been average at best. Once in a while, however, a gem of a show may appear on your screen. 'Dag' is one such case.
I most certainly feel that the comedic elements go hand in hand with the dramatic ones. Were you to look plainly at the story, you would see it is a rather dark and cynical one, yet 'Dag' is told from a very light-hearted perspective.
Dag Refsnes, the protagonist of this story, is a marriage councilor who prefers a life of solitude and anonymity. A life of which he freely recommend to his patients. He genuinely believes that people will be a lot more happy living such a life, and does a damn good job at convincing you it is.
You see, what I love the most about this show isn't the great overall writing, the wonderful acting, the beautiful cinematography or the perfect choice of music to amply just about all of the above. No. What I love the most about this show is the magnificent use of philosophy. Each character goes about their lives following their own philosophies of life. Some are more 'creative' (in terms of writing) and more notable than others. It creates this beautiful and hilarious, yet dark and tragic universe I have never before experienced in a TV-show. And I have to admit, as much as I don't want to, that the overall beauty of this show brings forth a tear in my eye.
If I were to criticize show for anything, it would have to be the length of each episode, and the choice of genre the universe is portrayed in. I rarely ever complain about the genre of any form of entertainment. And it's not that I disagree with the genre itself. I just feel like the universe would come even more alive, and feel even more immersing if the story had been written as a full on character drama, instead of the black, comedy drama that it is.
With that said, however, I would very much recommend this title to anyone even remotely interested in it. 'Dag' gives me a feeling I have never before known, and never since known. I do not know what it is or why it is there, but every time I watch this tiny gem of philosophical art, it is there.
