Created by Rojda Sekersöz and Julia Lindström, the new Swedish Netflix series, The New Force (Skiftet), takes an in-depth look at the lives of Sweden's first female police officers. In 1958, Klara District Chief Gunnar Svard decided to conduct an experiment by introducing female police officers.
The low-paid job didn't appeal to men, so they turned to the untapped labor pool, giving rise to the experiment. For the first time, trained female police officers were seen walking alongside their uniformed male colleagues and patrolling the streets of Stockholm. It was a historic moment, but most people at the time looked down on female police officers, and the series focuses on the daily struggles of these young female officers desperately trying to carve out a space for themselves.
The New Force is a fictional drama centered on an important chapter in history. The series opts for a non-biographical narrative and focuses on the struggles female police officers faced back then, which remain relevant today. Instead of a monumental moment, the series focuses on the small details that had a drastic impact on the lives of these workers. The New Force highlights not only how they were viewed in the workplace, but also how their decision to join the force was received by their friends, family, and those around them. While the initiative/experiment was a positive change, it wasn't enough to guarantee a significant shift in the lives of women in general.
The series focuses on three female police officers: Carin, Siv, and Ingrid. They had different temperaments and approaches to dealing with problems, but they shared a sense of camaraderie because they knew how difficult it was to navigate an extremely gendered work environment. From strangers approaching them to ask if they were "real police officers" to sarcastic comments from their colleagues, the girls had to deal with it all, in addition to having to perform their jobs perfectly. Carin was absorbed in uncovering the truth behind the mysterious death of a sex worker. Although she was strictly required to stick to her patrol duties, she couldn't help but investigate the case.
Meanwhile, Siv was enraged to discover that her colleagues had nicknamed her "Miss Sweden." She feared that she wouldn't be taken seriously because of her blonde hair and attractive appearance. She repeatedly tried to prove that she aspired to be a detective and befriended Detective Oscar Thornberg in the hopes of learning more about the job. Ingrid felt like a fish out of water during her first few days at the station. Her patrol partner, Wallin, refused to speak to her. Sensing that he considered her inferior, she preferred not to interact with her. But things soon changed for Ingrid after she demonstrated bravery during a police raid. Wallin became a sort of mentor to her, but she soon realized the man was nothing more than a monster.
In the six episodes, the overarching mystery Carin is trying to solve takes precedence. The story's development was interesting at first, but the coincidences somewhat hampered the case's credibility. From how Carin managed to get into the brothel to the clues she easily gathered, the plot seemed too simple. Although the mystery becomes the center of the series, it wasn't entirely compelling. Even the final revelation wasn't shocking enough to make it worth the wait. Perhaps if each episode revolved around a single case, the series wouldn't have lost its momentum. And if the idea was to center the main plot on a single case, then it needed to be much more compelling.
Although the main plot wasn't memorable, what really works for the series are the small details. From the discomfort of patrolling in skirts, which caused chafing on thighs, to the high heels officers were expected to wear when chasing criminals on the streets, everything highlighted the gendered expectation inherent in the uniforms. Despite it all, female officers went to great lengths to live up to their male colleagues. From not allowing them to sit at the same table at a bar to blaming them, the officers at the precinct ensured they didn't feel welcome in their workplace.
The series also addresses crucial issues that impacted the lives of women living in Sweden in the 1950s, such as abortion in a society where the procedure was not legalized, along with the dilemma of working women, who often had to choose between their careers and their families. While the mystery behind the sex worker's death wasn't captivating, the thought of the series reaching its conclusion makes it worth watching. The series establishes that, for female police officers, their job was not just to catch the
Visually, The New Force demonstrates an experimental streak. The brief segments of classical footage provide an interesting texture; the juxtaposition of contemporary music with quick montages is also a fun and quirky way to transition from one scene to the next. The overall acting from the cast is impressive. Josefin Asplund, as the brunette, blue-eyed police officer Carin Eriksson, brings a certain depth to the character. She aptly portrays Carin's impulsiveness, big emotions, and passion for her job. Siv Morell is a complex character, and Agnes Rase plays her convincingly.
There are moments when you want to root for Siv and connect with her urgency to prove to her parents and family that she was doing well in life, but then her jealousy makes you wonder how far she was willing to go to reach the top. Malin Persson, as the level-headed and calculating Ingrid Gustafsson, gives a convincing performance. She was torn between wanting to do the right thing and being too afraid to speak her mind. It was heartwarming to see Ingrid overcome her fear and handle the situation tactfully.
The New Force leaves enough room for a next season, and it will likely be even better than the first. The six episodes can be considered a decent introduction to the world of Carin, Siv, and Ingrid, but the series needs to find a better story to sustain interest. Or if the idea is to focus solely on drama, then it should be impactful enough to keep the audience engrossed rather than using a story to generate intrigue. The characters are colorful enough to keep the audience engaged, and focusing solely on their lives and decisions can maintain interest.
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