During my first week in Denmark over one of the typical long dinner conversations me and my Host Dad engaged in with wine, pork, and potatoes, we discussed the idea that I should watch a typical Danish movie. His response went above an beyond, the next day he shows up with a 3 part CD set called "Matador" (Monopoly), the most legendary Danish TV series ever produced. With the dry Danish humor, confusing words, and cute societal dynamics, I never thought I would signing myself up for a lovely ride through danish history, television and drama. Every week me and my host dad would set aside time to eat dinner over the couch watching one episode of the series. I was hooked right from the start. Now, if there is one thing I am not a foreigner to is the idea of dramatic TV series being watched for dinner with your family members. In Latin America we call them Novelas and I grew up with them as much as I grew up with my family members. At 8 PM you better had been doing anything else but bothering my mom during her Novela. And if so, you better be joining her to watch it, gasping at the turn of events every time the commercials would run around, and feeling your heart racing when it left you cliff hanged at the end! (What, Betty reveals the fake romance to everyone making Marcela cancel the wedding with Armando, who gets disowned by everyone, including his family!!! oh boy) (See: Betty la Fea). The point is, Hispanic Novelas are highly dramatic, overly twisted in themes of love lost, family feuds, long-lost relatives, love found, cheating husbands, the rich, the poor, scandals..... In Latin America Novelas are powerful.
Here are some snaps of the show. Take note in the cuteness of characters, the historical undertones and the overall Danishness:
It's now one of my last weeks here; me and my host dad have finally watched the last episode of the series, which only makes it more relevant to me at how engaged I had become with it. When listening to the Danes I would recognize some phrases from the show. Every time there was an awkward pause on a date or with someone I had just met I would bring up the show and they would light up in response. Everyone vaguely remembers it with excitement the same way I might remember the old Cartoon Network shows. Then, when me and Jakob saw one of the actresses now old and really famous, on the overpass of a bridge I fan-girl'ed like no other.
But besides being highly entertained and being responsible for some of the most valuable moments between me and my host dad, the series also taught me a lot about Denmark. And as every night passed by I fell in love a little bit more with the series, had more quality time with my host dad, and wanted to live in Denmark forever. Sometimes we would wait until the next dinner to discuss how the episode had turned out, laughing and wondering just how they were going to deal with abortion or the war or getting a dog. I think the reason I found it most charming was because of my Host Dad's cute ability to keep me engaged with the show even though being one who has hosted 20 students has probably watched the show millions of times. I really admire him, my Host Dad. Here are the main things we discussed as the series unfolded:
1. One night I remember discussing with my host dad how the whole entirety of the series can be read as a tale of women rights and feminism. Almost every single women by the end of the show has been empowered to become something or reach for a higher goal. Agnes, for example, who started off as a maid in the beginning was in the end the owner of her own booming business and house. Elizabeth, my favorite character ever, was always so appropriate on everything she said. She was strong and beautiful. The other maid was encouraged to work at the store, Ula was top in her economics class, Aunt Mohge was one really strong old lady, And even her daughter who was at first at the will of her mom's care rose from the ashes and killed her husband when he tried to abuse her. Woah. The most level-headed and decisive characters from the show come from (surprise) women. And despite the fact men do hold high positions as head of their household, politicians, or business men, almost entirely in every difficult situation that the characters have to deal with is the women who come forth tackling it. A big hurray for that.
2. Money is evil, even in Denmark. The story is pretty much of a guy who comes to this town to start his clothing business and then gets rejected so he decided to use his savings and open his own store. The rest is a weekly showcase on how as you become more powerful you become more selfish, money-hungry, and insensible.
3. The WWII was a strange period in Denmark. That one is naturally an obvious one – the war brought havoc and destruction to most European countries. But having grown up illusions about Denmark a happiest place on Earth I was trained to believe all Danes were saints, especially during that period because of what they did for the Jews. It was interesting to see a more realistic portrayal of that time, which also helps explain the complexity of the relations between Denmark and Germany today.
4. Ugh poor Daniel. I wish I could just learn Danish and just help him out, especially when he brings a real handsome officer back home..... (you gotta watch it now cause you have to know but also cause it's a good show)