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Occupied

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Russia’s recent thinly veiled threats against Britain, and its political isolation make the Norwegian television series ‘ Occupied’ particularly pertinent.

Norway’s most expensive television series is set in the near future and deals with a number of contemporary issues in domestic and international politics. It’s main fascination is with the question, of how a small country like Norway can retain its independence when threatened by a world power, Russia. 

In Series 1, Norway, acting out of concern for the environment, stops its oil and gas supplies provoking a global crisis. The EU responds by permitting Russia to take control of the oil fields in order to guarantee supplies. This provokes a political crisis in Norway and an increasingly menacing ‘occupation’ by Russia. Politicians cooperating with the Russians in order to avoid war are branded traitors, while those seeking EU assistance and undertaking acts of sabotage and ‘ terrorism’ against the Russians are accused of provoking war and risking the death of many Norwegians. The United States declines to offer assistance as does the EU. An underground movement is born and begins to resort to force against the Russians.

In Series 2, the crisis further escalates and the story continues, but with a greater emphasis on international relations and the opposition movement. I preferred this series as it moved into territory not addressed in any other series that I know of. 


Of course, as this is a fictional series, we also follow the personal lives of the key figures – politicians, security personnel, military commanders, protesters, collaborators, Russian oligarchs, lovers etc. The Russian ambassador to Norway is a particularly interesting character, being presented as intelligent and friendly, yet also as ruthlessly pragmatic. 

Those with an interest in international relations, appreciative of fine acting and of believable character development, and willing to consider a plausible scenario of how a contemporary occupation need not involve an all out military invasion, are unlikely to be disappointed.

As series two ends with an unexpected major event the outcome of which remains unknown, we can look forward to series three.
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