The Swingers - TV Review

Eva

Last night Channel 4 screened ‘The Swingers’ a Dutch drama with English subtitles and described as “Fatal Attraction meets Murder in Suburbia”. Ever since shows like ‘The Bridge’ made an impact on UK TV, we have seen a steady stream of Scandi drama and Nordic dramas airing here.

The show centres on a young couple, a teacher named Eva and her music journalist boyfriend, Peter, who just bought their dream house in a pretty Amsterdam suburb and their new neighbours are a sleazy, corrupt police officer Steef and personal trainer Rebecca. The other neighbours we are introduced to are a nosy older couple named Lilly and Jasper who as a bit of a crush on Rebecca but detests her husband. He managers to get a copy of their house key and a telescope and not for star gazing.

It opens with a clown walking hand in hand with a child. Knowing there is a murder I jumped the gun thinking it was the child but no, they reach his home and tells the clown his parents were arguing with their new neighbours. We then see blood smeared on the window. After the opening, we are transported back 22 weeks.

Soon Peter eyes Rebecca in her garden maybe eyeing her a tad too long. They commit to buy the house looking forward to their future. At school Eva waters break and his taken to hospital by her sister where her baby, a girl named Lieve, is born 10 weeks premature. There is a suggestion that Peter was not the father of Lieve but it is not explained why. Is he infertile? Was it an affair?

There also seems to be some friction between Eva and her parents and while awhile from the hospital to sign the papers for their new house tragedy strikes — Lieve dies from complications.

Strangely, after the premiere of episode one on Channel 4, the full series will be immediately available, free to view or download. Will I be rushing to watch the next episode? Maybe not. It was a slow start with no swinging or sex yet but I am sure to pick up the next episode eventually.