Fortitude Season 1 Episode 1 Episode One

In the opening episode of Fortitude, we are introduced to the residents of a small, remote town on an Arctic island in Norway. The town, Fortitude, is home to just over 700 people, who live and work in harsh conditions. The episode sets the scene with sweeping shots of the stark, snowy landscape and the town's buildings, as well as interviews with some of the locals.

We learn that Fortitude is home to a research facility, where scientists are studying the effects of climate change. The facility is a source of pride for the town, as it brings in much-needed revenue and provides jobs for many locals. However, tensions are simmering between the scientists and the town's residents, who are skeptical of the research being done on their doorstep.

The episode introduces us to some of the key players in Fortitude. We meet Sheriff Dan Anderssen, a tough and no-nonsense local who is tasked with keeping the peace in the town. Dan is a man with a troubled past, and we get a sense that he's not entirely welcomed by everyone in the town.

We also meet Vincent Rattrey, a detective sent to Fortitude from London to investigate a brutal murder. The victim is a British scientist from the research facility, and Vincent is immediately met with suspicion and hostility from some of the locals. He's tasked with working alongside Dan to solve the case, but it's clear that the two men have very different approaches to policing.

Meanwhile, Dr. Allerdyce, one of the scientists at the research facility, is concerned about a growing number of polar bears in the area. She fears that the bears are being affected by the changing climate, and that they may become more aggressive towards humans as they struggle to find food. Her warnings are largely ignored by her colleagues, but it's clear that there's a sense of unease building in the town.

As the episode progresses, we see tensions rise in Fortitude. The murder investigation uncovers some shocking secrets about the victim and those around him, and it becomes clear that there's more going on in the town than meets the eye. Meanwhile, the polar bears begin to encroach on the town, and we're left wondering whether the residents of Fortitude are in danger from both outside and within.

Overall, Episode One sets up the mysteries and tensions that will continue to play out over the course of the season. It's a slow-burning episode, with a lot of exposition and character introduction, but it does a great job of creating an atmospheric and unsettling world for the viewer to inhabit. We're left with plenty of questions about what might happen next, and it's clear that the town of Fortitude is not a place for the faint-hearted.