Welcome to Sweden: The Complete First Season is based semi-autobiographically on Greg's former life. This charming romantic dramedy picks up where the character Bruce moves from his New York metro-life to pursue romantic bliss with his beautiful Swedish girlfriend Emma Wiik (Josephine Bornebusch) to establish their relationship in her Swedish homeland. Stepping off the plane, Bruce embraces his beautiful loved one and their life together begins... but as they become more comfortable with each other, the differences in customs, languages, backgrounds, and relatives give them challenges they never expected. This scenario presents many uncomfortable and embarrassing situations that unfortunately create a not-so-positive image of the American Bruce to the Swedish family.
One of the first obstacles facing the couple is the fact that their apartment is not ready and they must move in with Emma's family. This quirky and dysfunctional family relies on Emma's stability, but some are critical of her romantic judgment. Most scrutinizing of Bruce is Emma's mother, Viveka Börjesson (Lena Olin), who thinks he is too short -- not anything like Emma's super tall and handsome father Birger Wiik (Claes Månsson). However, on the other hand, Emma's father is gentle, passive and accommodating seeking the easiest and most peaceful solution to the most difficult situations. Brother Gustaf Wiik (Christopher Wagelin) is like his father in wanting to seek the easiest way, but his direction is to live at the family residence and find an entrepreneurship that will provide him with everlasting riches and leisure. Uncle Bengt Wiik (Per Svensson) is an American super-fan and is especially obsessed with Hollywood movies, actors, and dialogue. As a matter of fact, every now and then, he interjects some cinematic dialogue where he believes it suits the conversation. Add to this Bruce's parents, Nancy and Wayne Evans, played respectively by Patrick Duffy (Dallas) and Illeana Douglas and its not difficult to imagine how misunderstanding can prevail.
And then there's the American sector: the group that Bruce abandoned to come to Sweden to be with his magnificently adorable Emma. Of course, they're hurt, alone, and jealous of Bruce's new found love. Amy (played by Greg's sister Amy) runs an upscale business where Bruce was employed as an accountant handling rich and famous celebrities. Without Bruce the business is in havoc, and she desperately needs his steady hand to come back and care for his clients. Some of these clients making cameo appearances as themselves are Will Ferrell and Gene Simmons. There's also the unrequited love left behind of Aubrey Plaza, who is determined to get him back no matter what it takes.
And then there's Emma: beautiful, organized, focused, logical, stable, considerate and determined to make a future with her love Bruce, regardless of others' opinions. Emma is the central character in the international melt-down. She manages to console, understand, and solve the problems, and consider justice in all she does. Emma is the lovely and compassionate nucleus that has sensible solutions and makes everything alright, while Bruce is adorable in his innocence and bungling efforts to navigate the Swedish waters.
In Welcome to Sweden: The Complete First Season, the Poehlers, actors and others wear many hats: creator, writer, producer, actor, etc. It's a great collaboration not only of professionals, but of countries that worked together on many aspects of the production. It is an unusual and refreshing romantic comedy that delights the soul. It's a preview to what all cultures must endure when trying to learn the manners of others who are different. As our humanity opens arms to other peoples -- and they to us -- we will all make mistakes, and Bruce is just a tender example of how difficult new relationships are and how to gently embrace with love and understanding.
The Poehler's have hit on something phenomenal, and I hope America embraces Welcome to Sweden for many more seasons. There are no special features, but there are English subtitles to translate the Swedish language. It might be a juggling act to balance subtitles, content and comedy as the program progresses, but soon you become immersed in action, and its not a problem at all. There is random adult content, so parents be aware. However, I couldn't have been more entertained and delighted! Great show!
