‘Bäckström’ Recap: ‘Episode 2’

Written by John Edward Betancourt

Caution: This article contains spoilers for Episode Two of ‘Bäckström’.
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We like to think, that when reach the top of whatever career field that we choose, that adoration and accolades will rain down upon us from our peers. Because we’re human and we love attention and recognition and having those we work with acknowledge our success and support us, goes a long way in giving our egos and our souls the boost they crave. But alas, it doesn’t take long for us to learn as we climb the ladder, that such praise might be impossible to obtain. Because our peers are looking to be the best as well and seeing someone leapfrog them or achieve success before, they do can cause more harm than good and engender jealousy and spite and, in some cases, motivate them to gun for us and work to sabotage what we’ve earned. If anything, this is relevant to our discussion today, simply because this harsh reality was on full display in the next episode of Bäckström.

For this particular tale wastes zero time in informing us that Hwass is livid over the fact that she has a wonderful record as an investigator and is constantly overshadowed by Bäckström and his close rate and that motivates her… to do something quite shady and vengeful. Such as form an alliance with District Attorney Eriksson. The kind where they pondered upon the possibility that Bäckström is in fact, a dirty cop, and an outright fraud. Which are some powerful accusations to bring about, but that’s how sick this duo is of being in Bäckström’s shadow and it is inferred in this tale that they are prepared to go to great lengths to prove their point, by hiring a photographer to keep an eye on Bäckström, in the hopes of catching him doing the wrong thing at the right time and well… their photographer might succeed at that.

Because when we catch up with our intrepid detective in this tale, he is reeling from the fact that his murder victim, Jaidee, has somehow died twice and that Hwass is now in charge of the investigation and to upset him further, he’s being put on lesser cases that he feels don’t suit his incredible talent and well… all of these concerns are what puts him in quite the precarious place in this tale. Because it doesn’t take long for him to begin to usurp control from Hwass and do things his way. Which includes basically violating every single order she’s given to him and the team, such as seeking out Jadiee’s widower, Daniel, for an ‘interview’. Which is of concern, because the prevailing belief is that Daniel would be a dead end or trouble if he decides to raise hell about being interviewed in a rogue manner. But Bäckström simply does the thing and speaks to him anyways, and while he believes he gathers some clues… even Ankan is quick to scold him for this one.

Because it is something that Hwass could pounce upon and of course, Bäckström didn’t bother to listen to her warnings and actually managed to make things worse. Because he basically snapped at being roadblocked at the end of this story. To the point where he realized that the only way, he could solve this case properly, was to be free of Hwass and her meddling, and that motivated him to book a business class flight to Thailand, on the taxpayer’s dime of course, and get out there to really understand what happened to Jaidee and to learn if the report revolving around her remains being interred there was accurate or not. And while that likely is the best course of action to keep this case moving, Hwass will make this a focal point of her plans to discredit him in the days to come. Meaning he better come back home with something quite significant.

In the end however, this was just another refreshing episode. Since it took the concept revolving around 'nobody liking the star detective' that was introduced in the premiere… to brand new heights. Because it was just incredible to see how much Eriksson and Hwass cannot stand Bäckström and his unparalleled success, and how they are ready to do whatever it takes to bring him down to get a slice of the spotlight and that’s quite the twist for certain, since now poor Bäckström is not only racing against the clock to expose a murderer, but he’s having to watch his back at every turn since people that should be on his side, are not, and well, all these elements compel us to continue the journey. So that we can see if Bäckström’s hunch that he’s being led off the trail on purpose is correct and to see if he will be able to salvage his career, since Hwass is gearing up to destroy it. Until next time.   

‘Bäckström’ is available to stream now on AcornTV.  

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