Bordertown

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  • TV-MA
  • 2016
  • 3 Seasons
  • 7.6  (12,292)

Bordertown is a Finnish crime drama television series that debuted on FOX in 2016. The show is set in a small town near the Finnish-Russian border and follows the investigations of Detective Inspector Kari Sorjonen (played by Ville Virtanen) and his team as they solve murder cases.

The main character, Sorjonen, is a brilliant detective who moves to the town with his wife and daughter from Helsinki. Sorjonen has a unique approach to solving crimes - he sees patterns and connections that others often miss. He is also dealing with personal issues, including his daughter's illness and his wife's traumatic past.

Sorjonen's team includes a diverse and talented group of investigators, including his colleague Lena Jaakkola (played by Anu Sinisalo) and forensic pathologist Katia Jaakkola (played by Laura Malmivaara). The team works tirelessly to solve complex and challenging cases, often with international connections due to the town's location on the border.

The series is known for its striking cinematography, which highlights the beauty and isolation of the town. The show's creators have said that the unique setting was intentionally chosen to create a feeling of tension and unease. The border itself becomes a character in the show, serving as a symbol of the division between countries and cultures.

Despite its serious subject matter, Bordertown is also known for its deep emotional resonance. The show delves into the personal lives of the characters and explores themes of love, loss, and mental health. Sorjonen's relationship with his wife and daughter is a central focus of the show, and the supporting characters all have compelling and complex backstories.

The show's writing has been praised for its intricacy and attention to detail. The crimes are often multi-layered and require the team to use their intelligence and intuition to solve. The investigations themselves are more cerebral than action-packed, as the detectives use their wits to piece together clues and solve puzzles.

Bordertown was a critical and commercial success in Finland, with the first season breaking ratings records. The show has also been a hit with international audiences and was picked up by Netflix for streaming outside of Finland. The series has been praised for its tight pacing, compelling characters, and its ability to keep its audience guessing until the very end.

In addition to its engaging storytelling, Bordertown is also noted for its excellent performances. Ville Virtanen, in particular, has been highly praised for his nuanced portrayal of Sorjonen. His performance has been compared to that of other famous detectives, such as Sherlock Holmes and Inspector Morse.

Overall, Bordertown is a well-crafted and engaging crime drama that combines intriguing mysteries, complex characters, and stunning visuals. The show's blend of cerebral investigations and emotional resonance make it a standout in the crowded landscape of crime dramas. Fans of Nordic noir, as well as those looking for a unique take on the genre, will find much to enjoy in this ambitious and thought-provoking series.

Bordertown is a series that is currently running and has 3 seasons (78 episodes). The series first aired on January 3, 2016.

Bordertown
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Seasons
Under Western Skies
26. Under Western Skies
March 17, 1991
Returning with Marie and Clive from a party in a neighboring town, Jack is critically wounded by a criminal he had arrested while a Texas Ranger. Taking refuge in an abandoned cabin, the three friends are pinned down by the shooter and his cohorts. Realizing that Jack will die without help, Clive attempts to sneak out of the cabin, but he, too, is shot. It is up to the townspeople to deliver a ransom to the outlaws and free the lawmen and Marie.
Frontier Passage
25. Frontier Passage
March 10, 1991
Returning from Helena, where she has joined her late husband's parents, Marie is forced to stay overnight at a stage stop during a storm. During the night, one of the travelers is found murdered with Charles Dumont's knife in his chest.
A Small Kindness
24. A Small Kindness
March 3, 1991
After missing her last three mortgage payments, Sally is notified by Wendell that his superiors in Helena have ordered him to foreclose on her mortgage. While he is trying to find a solution, Wendell is approached by a potential buyer who intends to turn the structure into another saloon complete with dancing girls.
Tall in the Saddle
23. Tall in the Saddle
February 22, 1991
When Willie finds a wooden grave marker in the cemetery with Jack Craddock's name on it, Jack disregards it as a prank. Distressed that Willie is leaving for Paris with his father, he decides to accompany them part of the way, but on the trail, they are apprehended by the brother of an outlaw Jack had killed, intending to kill the marshal on the same spot where the brother was buried.
Demon Rum
22. Demon Rum
February 10, 1991
When a young cowboy becomes ill on Zack Denny's whiskey, the women of the town organize a revolt to close the saloon and destroy the whisky. Meanwhile, Marie discovers that the whiskey has been tainted with a chemical, but when she confronts the distributors, she is kidnapped by them.
Hired Hand
21. Hired Hand
February 3, 1991
Joanna Radway offers a black farmer a fraction of what his property is worth, and when he refuses to sell, a couple of her hired thugs use violence in an effort to pursuade him. Jack's old friend, Isaac, is also working for Mrs. Radway as a hired hand, and when her two thugs finally convince the farmer to sell and then plan to kill him, Isaac kills them. Jack is forced to go after Isaac to arrest him for murder.
The Road Chosen
20. The Road Chosen
January 27, 1991
On a stormy night in Bordertown, a gang of outlaws break into Marie's house demanding that she tend to their wounded member. Jack and Clive have been searching for them all night, and soon realize that they are holding Marie and Lucy hostage. With Archie's help, they formulate a plan to apprehend the outlaws, but a gunfight breaks out as they attempt to escape.
Roaring Days
19. Roaring Days
January 19, 1991
After serving time in jail, Clive's old friend, Archie Stanton, comes to Bordertown to ask the favor of a job, insisting that Clive owes him for running out on him. While the Mountie considers it, Archie tells Marie through flashbacks all about the days he and Clive used to ride together.
Marshal Law
18. Marshal Law
January 13, 1991
Willie and Lucy stumble upon a dead body, and Jack and Clive track down a U.S. Marshal who has illegally entered Canada while chasing an escaped criminal.
The New Recruit
17. The New Recruit
January 6, 1991
On his way to Bordertown to assist Corporal Bennett in the delivery of a payroll wagon to Ft Walsh, a young Mountie is murdered by a gang who mistakenly believe he is carrying the payroll. Discovering their error, they assign their newest member the task of assuming the identity of the Mountie, and send him into Bordertown to join the escort. Clive leaves town with him and the payroll, unaware that he is being led into a trap.
Field of Honour
16. Field of Honour
December 30, 1990
Gilbert is challenged to a duel by a French peddler who recognizes him from an incident that occurred in France years earlier. Marie startles everyone by supplying the dueling pistols that had belonged to her late husband, but, unknown to the peddler, she devises a plan to prevent either of them from being killed.
The Bostonian
15. The Bostonian
December 23, 1990
When a friend passes away, Jack deems the death suspicious, and summons the man's nephew, Arthur Harrington, to Bordertown to prevent the sale of the property to a rancher, who seems to have an unnatural desire to acquire the land. His suspicions prove correct when an attempt is made on Harrington's life.
Conduct Becoming
14. Conduct Becoming
December 16, 1990
An educated Cree Indian produces documents claiming that Bordertown belongs to the Cree Nation.
A Question of Negligence
13. A Question of Negligence
December 9, 1990
Marie's competence as a doctor is questioned when a patient dies of minor injuries. Gilbert claims controlling partnership in Marie's store.
In Cold Blood
12. In Cold Blood
December 2, 1990
Don Carlos comes to Bordertown to oversee the bounty hunter he has hired to eliminate Jack Craddock, but Jack intervenes by confiscating the money that was intended to pay the bounty. Unaware that she is placing Jack in danger, Marie returns the money to the Don in the hopes that he will leave town peacefully. Instead, he forwards the money to the killer, leading to a fatal shootout between the two men.
Honour Thy Father
11. Honour Thy Father
November 25, 1990
A farmer accuses Couteau of murdering a man who had wronged the Metis tribe of Indians. The farmer's son backs up his father's story, claiming to be a witness, even though he was not present when the shooting occurred.
The Preacher
10. The Preacher
November 16, 1990
The Marshal and the Mountie come across an Indian village in which all the Indians had mysteriously perished. Also in the village is a priest, who claims to be ministering to the dead. Meanwhile, Marie and Lucy find an unconscious Indian boy. While searching through the village, Couteau discovers the source of the tribe's demise
Sight Unseen
9. Sight Unseen
November 9, 1990
When Clive goes after the outlaws who wounded Jack and killed two other lawmen, his pistol misfires, blinding him. To elude the outlaws, he must rely on the help of a young woman he had run out of Bordertown years earlier.
Sweet Revenge
8. Sweet Revenge
November 2, 1990
Jack shoots a thief during a stagecoach robbery, but the thief turns out to be a local resident who was experiencing hard times, and was desperate to obtain money so he could hold on to his land. Although Jack rushes him to Marie for help, he dies from loss of blood. Embittered, his children threaten to kill Jack in revenge. Feeling responsible, Jack is compelled to help them find a way to retain possession of their land.
Blood
7. Blood
October 26, 1990
Jack and Clive hire Couteau to track an outlaw who robbed a bank in Helena, but they are unaware that the outlaw is Couteau's brother, John. Couteau enlists Marie's help to tend to the wound John received, but they are followed by a bounty hunter interested in collecting the reward. In the fight that follows, McKay kills the bounty hunter and injures Marie.
Wild Horses
6. Wild Horses
October 19, 1990
When a horse trader comes to town, Jack and Clive purchase a horse for Willie, but they are forced to arrest the trader when two men ride in to town claiming that the herd belongs to them.
Sons of Thunder
5. Sons of Thunder
October 12, 1990
Jack is assigned the task of escorting an affable prisoner into Canadian hands, but the prisoner is being pursued by a couple of thugs who want him to answer for American crimes. To make matters worse for the lawman, his prisoner is an escape artist who has enlisted the help of his girlfriend.
Let There Be Light
4. Let There Be Light
October 5, 1990
Emile Chabrolet, a friend of Marie's from France, comes to town bringing with him bicycles that he wants her to sell in her store. Wendell has purchased a generator to supply the bank with electricity in an effort to discourage bank robbers. Most of the townspeople are excited about the electricity, but Jack is reluctant to accept the new invention. Meanwhile, Emile, who helps to install the power lines, has devised a unique plan that anables him to rob the bank.
Nebraska Lightning
3. Nebraska Lightning
September 28, 1990
When Bat Masterson kills a member of an outlaw gang and uses Jack Craddock's name to collect the reward, the rest of the gang comes to Bordertown seeking revenge, culminating in a major gunfight on the streets of Bordertown.
Vengeance Is Mine
2. Vengeance Is Mine
September 21, 1990
Continued from Second Chance. Clive and Anna plan their wedding. Delighted that his son is getting married, Clive's father arrives from Toronto to perform the ceremony. On the day of the wedding, the surviving moonshiner takes his revenge on Clive.
Second Chance
1. Second Chance
September 14, 1990
Clive's former flame, Anna, the wife of his deceased friend, stops in Bordertown to visit her husband's grave, and rekindles her relationship with the Mountie. Meanwhile, Jack and Clive break up a group of moonshiners, but one of them escapes, vowing revenge on Clive.
Description
Where to Watch Bordertown
Bordertown is available for streaming on the FOX website, both individual episodes and full seasons. You can also watch Bordertown on demand at Amazon Prime, Amazon, Hulu, Vudu, Google Play and Apple TV.
  • Premiere Date
    January 3, 2016
  • IMDB Rating
    7.6  (12,292)