Knit to This
Dept. Q
Netflix’s Dept. Q—based on a book by Danish writer Jussi Adler-Olsen, re-set from Copenhagen to Edinburgh (because why? is it even cloudier and grayer there?)—kicks off with a shooting that haunts the main detective/chief gloomy Gus (Carl Morck, played by Matthew Goode, a long long way from Downton Abbey and The Crown) and never really lets up after that, piling twists on turns until the close nine hours later (there’s also a Danish movie version of the same book that’s only two hours long; it’s hard to imagine which of the five thousand subplots might have been excised to accommodate the shorter run time).
And look: I could tell you about the main plot if I wanted to. Well, no. No I could not.
Trying to map it all out for you would send me into therapy—which, based on the detective’s work-mandated therapy situation here, is a casual sort of vibe that you can just pop in and out of at will, without ever really raising the eyebrows of Human Resources (actually, Morck should have been fired about fifty times over the nine hours, but I guess they cut you a break if you take a bullet in the neck. I’ll have to fact-check that in the official “So You’re a Policeman in Scotland” manual). But they keep him around because this show is basically House but murder-ier and if they fired him, the case would never get solved.
Over the course of the show, you’ll learn way more than you might ever need to know about hyperbaric chambers (bad!), cormorants (also bad, at least symbolically!), rock climbing (sort of bad), ferries (don’t get on one) and—in one case—a police-person’s puzzling, unpolice-y hairstyle (I checked her Instagram; she says it’s not a wig but in any event, it’s like having Detective Thompson Twin on the case). Some of these mysteries get solved; some do not (hyperbaric chamber, cormorant: yes. Hairstyle: no).
Dept. Q is actually pretty compelling, though you do feel the s-t-r-e-t-c-h of it at about the halfway mark, when they’re still introducing characters. There’s some genuinely frightening stuff in it (especially if you are at all claustrophobic) and the case itself works out satisfyingly—but it is one of those kinds of stories where the villains all turn out to be 100% nuts and live in a 100% authentic Murder Trailer surrounded by twenty thousand dead birds just strewn around on the ground, which—if I happened to be a policeman—might TIP ME OFF.
One thing: Morck is English, but all the other characters are Scottish and the subtitles are a must, unless you yourself are also Scottish. So don’t Knit to This if you’re working on anything super complicated. It’s a good stockinette project. Which, surely, is the next installment in this series: The Stockinette Project Murders. Sign me up!
I’m not much of a movie watcher (ok, none) but I love DG’s posts here on MDK. This one is extra fine, and extra funny. Thanks, DG!
I was wondering where you were!
Glad to hear your voice and recommendations again.
Agree! Great thriller mystery. Love the three main characters. Stockinette stitch for sure.
Looking forward to, hopefully, season 2.
May have to read, or listen to, one of the books. Might be fun to see what the differences are.
Also good: Shetland.
Agreed!!! Love love love this show and DG’s posts. I hope the show gets renewed for a second season and DG continues to share his thoughts.
Matthew Goode was similarly dark and brooding in A Discovery of Witches, where he played a vampire.
I lived in the UK as a child and am pretty darn good at deciphering accents, but Scots is challenge. A friend of mine, a Welshman, was working on a ship and a guy in the mess line said something to him he didn’t understand. Welshman said “Sorry mate, I don’t speak German.” Other guy responded “I’m Scottish!”
Reading a DG post on a Sunday morning is always a gift. Thank you.
I have started the show and appreciate knowing I am not the only one who finds the plot (and so many subplots) intriguing. Definitely stockinette knitting!
I really enjoyed Dept Q but I enjoy DG’s posts even more!!! Grateful for his return.
Welcome back DG Strong. I haven’t seen a post from you for a while and was wondering where you went. But, then, maybe I missed them? I always enjoy reading your posts. I watched Dept Q and really enjoyed it.
Loved the show and the return of DG. Loved the show so much decided to listen to the first book – couldn’t finish it even though I made it more than halfway. Just too disturbing and lacked the charm (?) of the show – missing the slight wink. Hope so much they do a second season.
Good to see this! I have considered snagging the book but will probably not as the TBR list long enough!
Great to read a DG post! And yes, Dept. Q is a twisty must!!
The hair/wig choices can be a little distracting on a lot of characters. Give it a go if you like procedurals. And it isn’t as gory as some can be.
Perfectly said DG! Yep, there are some flaws. None kept me from bingeing and completely enjoying Dept Q.
Welcome back, DG. I have missed your posts!
Will definitely give this series a try!
I always enjoy DG’s posts and have missed them.
Hello DG – definitely pleased to read this post, agree with others who wondered as to your whereabouts – sending good wishes your way. Your ability to bring levity to serious material makes your introductions and engaging and refreshing, no matter how heavy the subject matter. Thanks for that!
I will attest to the “stockinette only” warning on this one.
Clicked on Thw Psychopedia – loved it too
Thanks!
Seems like a long time since you had something to say, DG. I’ve missed you.
Murder-ier than House? Really?
So happy to “hear” DG’s voice!
Agree this was a roller-coaster of a show and had to re do a bit of lace, well, twice, so definitely agree it’s a stockinette kind of piece. Really liked the quirk and tone of the relationships which balanced out the dark Scandi weirdness of it. For countries with high happiness indexes they seem to turn out some, um, interesting fiction. Thanks DG!
Yes!
Lovely to have you back. More please.
DG! I have missed your contributions! They have always been first rate, I’m glad to see you are writing for us again. Thanks for the review today. Well done, Friend!
Oh boy. Being a big fan of English/Scottish/Australian/South African murder mysteries, I jumped on this series, and dutifully knitted through it. I found it much more brutal than most of the series I’ve enjoyed over the years. What I did like was the cast: a who’s who of actors who have previously appeared in English and Scottish television mysteries. Would I watch a season 2? Yes. Will I enjoy it? Probably not.
A good time to get caught up on your temperature blanket; going to need a lot of red or whatever color you choose for scorching hot.
Very glad to read your column again DG Strong!
Tried to watch Dept Q. Felt like I was viewing scenes of torture with Merrit in the tank and decided that the show was not for me. Doesn’t matter how ingenious the puzzle and how well and sympathetically the show portrays difficult choices people are forced to make. Really wondered about the cumulative effect of viewing this type of material.
And if you thought the show was confusing, the book (and subsequent books in the series) actually allowed me to stop, think, and then reread to try to see where the lead character was going/what the mystery was/why he responded as he did.
Definitely not something to read while knitting!
Loved Dept Q but couldn’t knit even the simplest project as I worried my tension might be off .
This series is right up my alley, and I love Scotland. As well as shows set in Scotland! Thanks DG!
Good to see your writings DG. Friends with Marta Randall. Diane
This was a great show. I hope it is renewed. The subtitles helped a lot. I found the twists and turns to be surprising and I did not anticipate some of them. And I am happy to see DG Strong on the byline! Welcome back to writing!
I started that show. I thought, what could be better than a Scottish tv show? But I have left her, for now, stuck wherever she is. I don’t know if I can take it. Maybe I’m more claustrophobic than I thought.
Great recommendation thank you DG!!
I think I want to watch this but it might be too frightening for me. But I so love DG’s critiques.
Definitely will watch after DG’s comments. Haven’t heard from DG in a while and was getting concerned. Everything is back to normal now and looking forward to future commentaries.
What a wonderful way to start the day … a review by DG!
As to the show … meh.
As to the review … sheer perfection.
I have missed reading your thoughts about anything and everything, welcome back!
We really enjoyed this series also, Morck was very compelling in his role. And how about his “assistant” Akram, what did he ever do in Syria, no doubt something very sinister as was inferred but never revealed. Kelly McDonald as the therapist/love interest did as good a job as she always does too.
We’re enjoying a Danish mystery series now, called Fatal Crossing on MHZ, highly recommend this one too.
Great show!@
DG we missed you! I love your posts and am so glad to see another of your “knit to this” as reading your description is part of the enjoyment of your recommendation.
Just finished watching Dept Q this past week. Found it intriguing and well-done. Loved it!
Welcome back DG! Have missed your posts.
I tried watching Dept Q when it first released but never got past the first episode. Maybe I’d OD’d on murder mysteries and needed find something lighter? I’ll give it another go.
Hope to see your posts again soon, DG!
I, too, wondered what had become of you and am very glad you’re back.
Welcome back DC, I, too have missed your posts and wondered where you’ve been.
Great series, I have been enjoying it.
Check out Patience, if you haven’t already, also good.
I’m in the group wondering where you have been. Hope all is well. The last article I recall from you was about a house reno. Hope it worked out well!
Just started this last night!
But love your recommendations… and WELCOME BACK!
You and your wit were missed.
Thank you!
… missed your wit, presence and contributions.
May you be well.
I too have missed your sarcasm and wit.
Today’s is spot on. We got hooked on the show and literally had to get is watched. Wasn’t sure after the first episode, but after the second, we just had to get to the end.
I do hope there is another season.