100 Code

100 Code is an intriguing and riveting crime drama developed by WGN in 2015. The series, created by Academy Award winner Bobby Moresco and based on the ideas of novelist Ken Bruen, is born out of the sensational wave of Swedish crime thrillers that have captivated international audiences. The show has a unique blend of elements that make it a thrilling watch – the complexity of modern police work, international collaboration, a laudable cast, chilling ambiance, and most importantly, a script that keeps you wondering and guessing.

The story revolves around the pursuit of a serial killer operating between New York, USA, and Stockholm, Sweden. This chilling narrative masterfully illustrates the dangerous cat-and-mouse game between law enforcement and the criminal mind by delving into the depths of a ruthless murderer's operations and the tenacity of the detectives on his tail.

The narrative follows NYPD Detective Tommy Conley (played by Dominic Monaghan of The Lord of the Rings and Lost fame), who travels to Stockholm upon receiving special dispensation from the New York police department to investigate a series of brutal murders. As evidence ties these murders to a string of killings in New York, Conley finds himself working with Swedish detective Mikael Eklund (played by Michael Nyqvist of John Wick and Millennium trilogy fame).

Despite their shared goal, Conley and Eklund couldn't be more different - both in personality and approach to law enforcement. Conley is young, impulsive, unwavering in his pursuit of justice, and often disregards protocol, contrasting with Eklund, who is an experienced, by-the-book detective contemplating retirement. As the series progresses, their contrasting styles provide a fascinating dynamic that adds layers to their characters and contributes to the overall interactive thrill of the series.

With its roots in Scandinavian noir, the 100 Code features a dark, gloomy aesthetic, reflecting the cold, bleak Swedish landscape, and helping to build palpable tension throughout the series. However, the show also introduces lighter moments that humanize the characters amongst the brutality, crime, and dark setting. It provides a very realistic portrayal of how detectives, against all odds, still manage to have a life beyond their professional commitments.

The series also showcases the challenges in cross-cultural collaborations, as demonstrated by Conley and Eklund's initial friction stemming from differences in each other's modus operandi. You see the clashes between American brashness and Swedish measuredness, creating further intrigue and complexity.

Supporting characters such as the medical examiner (played by Charlotta Jonsson) and a reporter (played by Felice Jankell) add depth, providing new perspectives and additional mixes of personality to keep the storyline fresh and engaging.

The unique trademark of the 100 Code is its ability to continuously build suspense by expertly stringing viewers along, teasing them with clues, potential suspects, and plot twists. The series is adept at playing with the viewer's sense of expectation, granting a reward of satisfaction for every mystery solved, accompanied by the thrill of new questions that keep viewers hooked.

The title of the series, '100 Code,' refers to the murderer's twisted code, an elaborate pattern that connects all the murders. As the detectives struggle to decode and anticipate the murderer's puzzling patterns, the show has a foreboding and chilling atmosphere, shackling viewers to a roller-coaster of emotions and keeping them on edge, episode after episode.

100 Code is not your typical crime procedural; it isn't about solving the crime of the week. Instead, it's a complex tapestry of interwoven plots, multidimensional characters, and a chilling mystery that persists throughout the series. It's a mesmerizing combination of crime and suspense with character development, blending traditional genre tropes with contemporary storytelling methods in a seamless and novel fashion.

In sum, 100 Code is a deftly woven show, designed to keep the viewers on the edge of their seats with a captivating storyline and complex characters. It's the perfect blend of mystery, suspense, cultural nuances, and character exploration, making it an enticing watch for anyone who appreciates well-crafted crime dramas. It is a show that will leave a lasting impression long after the credits roll. This series is a weighty contribution to the crime genre, offering viewers a thought-provoking exploration of justice, guilt, and humanity.