Outlier: A Norwegian Serial Killer is on the Loose!

Outlier is an 8-episode Norwegian crime series.  Maja Angell is a Norwegian psychologist who is finishing her training as a criminal psychologist in London. She hears about a murder in her hometown in the northern part of Norway which arouses her interest in connection with her thesis. A young nineteen-year-old girl has been murdered at a campground.

Maja returns to her old neighborhood to look at the murder and during her investigation several things indicate to her that a serial killer is on the loose. But Maja is met with great suspicion and resistance and is most unwelcome by the local police. The chief police officer does not want any unnecessary attention, interference, or extra work. The police have already arrested a young local guy who has previously been involved in petty crime but when Maja digs deeper into the case the police very reluctantly have to release him due to lack of evidence.

Maja’s return to her hometown brings up old demons from her subconsciousness which she has so far been unable to deal with. Her work with the murder case, yet another killing, her own mental problems plus her bad relationship with her parents all do that Maja has to cope with many problems simultaneously.

We know from the beginning who the serial killer is, and we follow him through the different episodes as a father and husband, and in his job.

Outlier is a series which I have mixed feelings about. On one hand I find several of the characters in the series too caricatured. Why must Maja for instance wear a sweater almost similar to the one Sarah Lund wore in the series the Killing and have some of the same odd characteristics as Sarah Lund? I also find the local police chief way over caricatured as the epitome of a stupid, stubborn, and moody bureaucrat. On the other hand, I thoroughly enjoyed the fantastic nature that surrounds Outlier. It is the nature that takes the series from average to special. Sort of like what the nature did to Twin Peaks years ago.

You can watch Outlier on HBO.

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