Overview of “How to Cook a Bear”
Initially, when we heard about the Swedish series How to Cook a Bear, set in the 1850s with a minister passionately discussing temperance, we were skeptical. However, we were surprised to discover that the pastor doubles as a detective, which adds intriguing layers to the story.
Opening Scene: The show opens with a collection of images showcasing the forest, local wildlife, and the preacher (played by Gustav Skarsgård) who is preparing a sermon. In a voiceover, he reveals, “I’ve encountered a type of evil unlike anything before, and I fear I cannot overcome it.”
Setting the Scene: The story unfolds in “Northern Sweden, 1852,” as the pastor and his family arrive in Kengis. Among them is Jussi (Emil Carlsen), a Sami teenager adopted by the priest during his childhood. The pastor is hopeful about the town’s wealth but soon finds their living conditions far from satisfactory.
His mission is to liberate the villagers from their oppression by alcohol, but he also faces deep-seated racism against the Sami, who are derogatorily referred to as “raps” by the locals. His passionate first sermon causes quite a stir, particularly among influential townsfolk like Sheriff Brahe (Magnus Klepper) and Madame Chaudard (Pernilla August), who oversees the town’s ironworks.
During the plot, a maid named Hilda (Eleonora Kauhanen) goes missing, prompting her employers to seek the pastor’s help after Sheriff Brahe, often inebriated, is unable to assist. When the pastor and Jussi explore the forest where Hilda typically milks her cows, they find signs she fled but also evidence, like claw marks, suggesting an aggressive bear might be involved.
As news spreads, Madame Chaudard offers a reward for the bear’s capture. Meanwhile, a mysterious artist named Veronius (Simon J. Berger) arrives at the parsonage, offering to paint the pastor’s portrait. Nevertheless, the pastor remains skeptical of the bear theory, especially after discovering more clues in a nearby hay barn suggesting Hilda had sought refuge there.
Adaptation Details: How to Cook a Bear, originally titled Coca Bjorn, is adapted from a novel by Michael Niemi, blending elements of a frontier drama with a murder mystery.
Critical Perspective: The narrative seems to weave two distinct plots, where the unnamed Reverend and Jussi attempt to unravel the mystery surrounding Hilda and possibly other young women. The series juxtaposes the idea of a mythical bear as a scapegoat for the women’s disappearances against the backdrop of rampant racism in the mid-19th century Swedish wilderness.
It’s a compelling mix, though I wonder if it’ll harmonize effectively. The pastor’s overly righteous attitude towards reforming Kengis suggests he grapples with the darkness within his own community, possibly leading him to conclude that the dangers to Hilda and the others stem from within the village itself, not from a bear.
Interestingly, the pastor often takes on a detective persona, reminiscent of Sherlock Holmes, meticulously considering clues. His passion for gardening reflects his attention to detail. But when he follows a line of thought into unexplored areas, it raises questions about his motivations.
More engaging might be the subplot involving Jussi—his adoption into the pastor’s family and the racism he faces, which may drive the priest to be even more protective of him. The idea of Jussi aspiring to become a priest could stir outrage among non-Indigenous individuals who dismiss the Sami as un-Christian. Flashbacks of Jussi’s violent past hint at more layers to his character, as he interacts with a maid named Maria (Tyla Winlen) and faces confrontations, specifically with a man named Lupe (Jaakko Otonen). Focusing on these personal narratives rather than solely on the murder mystery could give the show a unique edge.
On Gender and Themes: The first episode doesn’t address gender dynamics extensively.
Final Scene: With Jussi’s assistance, the pastor delves into a small swamp, recovering Hilda’s body. Simon J. Berger stands out in his role as the eerie Veronius. A line that feels particularly pilot-like remarks on the characters’ uncertain appearances, whether due to freckles or dirt.
Conclusion: I’m inclined to recommend streaming How to Cook a Bear. It presents a captivating murder mystery, but it left me hoping to see more exploration of the racism faced by the Sami in Kenggis Village during the 1850s.
