No longer in the 1990's (just) but still decades ago now, "Beck" enters the 21st century with this second season. 8 more episodes, this time much more standalone than the last lot - though with some background character stories continuing on.
With a new boss, Margareta (Marie Goranzon), Martin Beck (Peter Haber) and his team return to investigate high profile murder cases in and around Stockholm. With Lena having ended her relationship with Beck and left the team, a vacancy is open. Margareta has a choice, Alice Levander (Malin Birgerson) but both her and Beck are concerned about the dynamics of the team, given Gunvald's (Mikael Persbrandt) regressive views.
This second season is certainly an improvement over the first. Though there are still odd moments of performance throughout, some of which might be explained by cultural differences, but the characters feel a lot more settled, especially Gunvald. He's not, as I said above, the model of 21st century policing - as prone to breaking the law and upholding it - but at least, across this run, he's more consistent. It's addressed in the show how strange it is that the woman leaving should automatically be replaced by another woman - but they do also make Alice a different character to Lena, giving her different strengths. The team is also widened by a larger role for Hillman, played by Hans Zischler and for the paring of Robban and Nick (Jimmy Endeley and Marten Klingberg).
The cases are again pretty grim stuff. Lots of mutilation and death and the stories of rape and child abuse might prove a bit much for some. Again, Sweden doesn't come off looking particularly appealing. There is some money spent on some effects though, particularly the large explosion in the final episode.
The 46 episodes looked like a bit of a slog during the first season, but the improvement in this second run have made it a much more appetising prospect.
