Lilyhammer (2012-2014)

Genre: TV / Comedy

Starring: Steven Van Zant, Trond Fausa Aurvâg, Steinar Sagen

Number of seasons: 3

American mafia underboss Frank Tagliano goes into Witness Protection after testifying against new mob head, Aldo Delucci. Inspired by the Olympics held there in 1994, Tagliano chooses to be relocated to Lillehammer, Norway, where he will make a new life for himself as a club owner. While he will somewhat adapt himself to his new surroundings, Frank’s mobster roots are sure to come back to the surface once in a while.

Lilyhammer was one of the first TV show originally distributed in North America by Netflix, though it was first shown in Norway.

Steven Van Zant, better known as guitarist of the E. Street Band, is absolutely amazing as Frank Tagliano. He played a mobster in The Sopranoes before, and he did it again brilliantly in Lilyhammer. He has the right look for it. I would not cast him as the main love interest in a romantic comedy, but, for the role of Tagliano, he was great. The supporting cast was also very good.

Some things in this show do not make sense, like Frank Tagliano understanding most of what is said to him in Norwegian right upon arrival, simply after listening to some tapes, though he never learns to speak it. I get that this liberty makes storytelling much easier, but it flies in the face of logic. Also, because of the scenery, some of the subtitles were hard to see and read. I still managed to grasp the jist of it all, but I have missed some bits of dialogue.

All things considered, though, Lilyhammer remains a very good show. I popped huge for the many references to The Godfather and The Sopranoes. A cameo by Bruce Springsteen in the last episode was also great.

Rating: ««««