Trapped – Season Two (S2/Ófærð) series focuses on a town with many secrets. So, this mysterious crime drama is set in a small and remote city located in Northern Iceland.
We reviewed the first season of the “Trapped (Ófærð)” Nordic-Noir show earlier. Keeping our promises, we have reviewed the second season of the Trapped (Ófærð)” show.
Focus:- brief note on the Nordic/Scandi/Scandinavian – Noir
Before we delve any further into the details of the “Trapped” (S2) show, allow us to explain the Nordic Noir briefly.
Well according to the Nordics: “The Nordic Noir is most often considered to be a specific genre of TV series. However, it also includes literature, film productions, and video games. Besides, it has even been extended to style, design, and music. Its key elements include a murky atmosphere, dark narratives, and flawed protagonists. Its popularity may lie in the fact that it usually undercuts the dominant narrative of the Nordics as thriving states with happy people and successful economies, but there is a dark underbelly here, too.”
The Nordic Noir genre is also known as Scandinavian Noir or Scandi Noir.
As it is set in the Nordic or Scandinavian countries of Europe. Denmark, Norway, Sweden, Finland, Iceland, Faroe Islands, Greenland, and Åland Islands are part of the Nordic Region.
Trailer of the Trapped – Season Two (S2/2018-2019) Series
Synopsis of the Trapped – Season Two (S2/2018-2019) Series
When a man immolates himself and a government Minister outside Parliament in Reykjavik, Police Chief Andri Ólafsson (Ólafur Darri Ólafsson) is in charge of the case. This takes him back to the town he left behind, where darker secrets than he knew lurk in the mountains and valleys around the fjord. Then the brutal murder of the foreman at a geothermal power plant raises questions.
Rating of the Trapped – Season Two (S2/2018-2019) Series
| FM Rating | 3.90/5 |
| FM Short Comments | We liked the way the second season (S2) of the “Trapped” show uses social and political issues to weave a complex tale of crime. It smartly incorporates the environmental versus developmental debate too. Once again, its actors Ólafur Darri Ólafsson (Andri), Ilmur Kristjánsdóttir (Hinrika), Ingvar Eggert Sigurðsson (Ásgeir) and others kept us entertained with their performances. |
Spoiler Free Review of the Trapped – Season Two (S2/2018-2019) Series
The introduction
Andri Ólafsson (Ólafur Darri Ólafsson), currently living in Reykjavik, the capital of Iceland, must now reconstruct his family after the chaos of the first season. While dealing with one problem, he faces another when a lethal assassin sets their sights on a politician. Upon realizing that the attacker had ties to the MP, Andri is forced to return to his previous role, reuniting with his former coworkers Hinrika (Ilmur Kristjánsdóttir) and Ásgeir (Ingvar Eggert Sigurðsson) in this second season. So, again, the story moves back to this remote town.
Baltasar Kormákur's television series Trapped (Ófærð) was predominantly filmed in Siglufjörður town, with only a handful of outdoor scenes being shot in the Eastfjords and Reykjavík.
The storyline
Andri Ólafsson (Ólafur Darri Ólafsson) has embarked on a fresh chapter in Reykjavik. While striving to mend his broken family ties, an assassination attempt on a politician by self-immolation plunges him back into the dangerous world of cat-and-mouse games he had hoped to leave behind. Discovering that the assailant was the politician’s twin brother, his investigation leads him back to the very same small town he had fled, and to his former partner Hinrika Kristjánsdóttir (Ilmur Kristjánsdóttir). Collaborating with Hinrika, now the Sheriff of the town, they uncover a web of crime that reaches higher than they had ever imagined, posing a grave threat to themselves and their loved ones.
Despite its complexity and few questions, we loved the script
The story of the second season has complex layers added to it. So, there are two distinct storylines – the first one focuses on complicated family issues and the second one is about complex social/political matters. However, some of the viewers may not like its direct and indirect references to right-wing politics or developmental versus environmental issues. During Ten (10) Episodes, we also get a peek into the rise of right-wing politics (the combination of white nationalism and corporate greed in causing environmental destruction) in Iceland. Interestingly, these issues are becoming global concerns.
In addition, this crime drama delves into psychological entrapment rather than physical confinement. Andri discovers that, despite facing the chilling depths of human nature in the first season, he has only just begun to scratch the surface. However, we humbly think that, compared to its first season, the script is slightly loose, especially in terms of tension and mystery. This time, we did not feel as trapped as the first one. Still, we liked the intricate script of the second season, as it has realistic contemporary subjects, which are universal.
What else did we like in the second season?
And once again, we loved the acting of Ólafur Darri Ólafsson (Andri), Ilmur Kristjánsdóttir (Hinrika) and Ingvar Eggert Sigurðsson (Ásgeir). the acting by its ensemble cast is good. The depths of the characters are insightful indeed. We loved the haunting music (check the YouTube links shared below) in the show, as it sets the mood. Then, what can we say about the captivating cinematography? It captured Iceland’s natural beauty perfectly.
"Trapped" - Hildur Guðnadóttir, Rutger Hoedemaekers and Jóhann Jóhannsson | YouTube
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"Andri's Theme" - Hildur Guðnadóttir, Rutger Hoedemaekers and Jóhann Jóhannsson | YouTube
More importantly, the identity of the culprits behind the murders remained a perplexing mystery until the very end. The Ten (10) Episodes of the Trapped – Season Two of the series were captivating and atmospheric. It has an astonishing number of themes interwoven seamlessly in its script. A few people might say that it presents a pessimistic portrayal of life in Iceland. But isn’t that what Nordic Noir is all about?
The conclusion
To be honest, we did not like the death of one of the key characters in the show. The conduct of the said police officer seems rather pedestrian one more time. Just like what happened with that person in the first season. Maybe, the death of this simpleton police official was a long time coming. Despite some of the complexity, the intelligent incorporation of familial, social and political issues in the script is praiseworthy. We were thoroughly engrossed and entertained throughout the entire season.
The unhurried pace of the suspense and mystery unfolding itself is wonderful to watch. No doubt, we believe that it is another good Nordic Noir crime drama series to watch.
Key Details about the Trapped – Season Two (S2/2018-2019) Series
| Genre | Crime, Drama, Mystery, Thriller |
| Original language | Icelandic |
| Original title | Ófærð (it means ‘unable to move’) |
| Season | Two (2nd) |
| Episodes | Ten (10) |
| Creator | Baltasar Kormákur |
| Writers | Clive Bradley, Holly Phillips, Margrét Örnólfsdóttir, Sigurjón Kjartansson |
| Directors | Börkur Sigþórsson, Baltasar Kormákur, Ugla Hauksdóttir, Óskar Þór Axelsson |
| Cast | Ólafur Darri Ólafsson (Andri Ólafsson), Ilmur Kristjánsdóttir (Hinrika Kristjánsdóttir), Ingvar Eggert Sigurðsson (Ásgeir Þórarinsson), Björn Hlynur Haraldsson (Trausti Einarsson), Guðjón Pedersen (Bárður), Elva María Birgisdóttir (Þórhildur yngri), Baltasar Breki Samper (Hjörtur Stefánsson), etc. |
| Network | Netflix |
Poster of the Trapped – Season Two (S2/2018-2019) Series
Spoilers Alert – Summary of the Ten (10) Episodes
Summary of the Ten Episodes of Season Two
First Episode (S2, E1) | 49 minutes | December 26, 2018
A man immolates himself sending Police Chief Andri Ólafsson back to the town he left behind. When a foreman at a power plant is found dead, things take a surprising turn.
Second Episode (S2, E2) | 49 minutes | December 30, 2018
When a member of the right-wing extremist group, The Hammer of Thor, is arrested, Andri and Hinrika realize things are not as simple as they thought.
Third Episode (S2, E3) | 50 minutes | January 6, 2019
The Viking Force is called in to help chase a member of The Hammer of Thor, who is on the run from the authorities. But the group turned out to be more organized than expected.
Fourth Episode (S2, E4) | 53 minutes | January 13, 2019
Hafdís Magnúsdóttir, the Mayor of the town, has been kidnapped and the video has gone viral. The police hope that a fugitive in hospital care has come clue to her whereabouts.
Fifth Episode (S2, E5) | 48 minutes | January 20, 2019
Halla Thorisdóttir, the Minister of Industry, garners everyone’s attention when she attends the funeral of her brother, the man who tried to kill her.
Sixth Episode (S2, E6) | 48 minutes | January 27, 2019
Víkingur has to face the consequences from the night before, while threats from the immigrant community have added to the climate of racism and homophobia.
Seventh Episode (S2, E7) | 46 minutes | February 3, 2019
Someone is found murdered at the power plant’s headquarters and Vikingur is suspected of the killing. Halla Thorisdóttir is still in town and continues her political scheming.
Eighth Episode (S2, E8) | 50 minutes | February 9, 2019
A man from the American aluminium company is in town to investigate the power plant after the local tap water is deemed unsafe to drink.
Ninth Episode (S2, E9) | 48 minutes | February 17, 2019
Andri and Hinrika try to find out if there is a link between the murders and the toxic waste that has been found leaking into the water supply.
Tenth Episode (S2, E10) | 56 minutes | February 24, 2019
Andri’s daughter is in grave danger. Now it’s essential for Andri not to give in to desperation, as he finds out every detail about the person who abducted her.
Awards won by the Trapped – Season Two (S2/2018-2019) Series
| Names of the Awards | Winners of the Awards |
|---|---|
| World Soundtrack Awards 2019 | Hildur Guðnadóttir (Composer) – Winner – Television Composer of the Year |
| Edda Award 2020 | Best Visual Effects (Brellur ársins) – Winner – Pétur Karlsson, Eva Sólveig Þórðardóttir, Haukur Karlsson Áslaug Dröfn Sigurdardóttir – Best Make Up (Gerfi ársins) – Winner |
Poster, Featured and Other Images of the Trapped-Second-Season (S2/2018-2019) Show are courtesy of Netflix and RVK.