The BBC's crime drama 'Vigil' has returned for its second season, setting its latest investigation against the stark, luminous beauty of the Arctic archipelago of Svalbard. The series, which premiered recently, draws parallels between its fictional plot and real-world geopolitical concerns in the strategically important region.
Svalbard, located 580 miles north of Norway, is governed by a 1920 treaty that allows for Russian presence through a mining base. The region's significance has grown due to the presence of rare minerals and the melting sea ice, which could facilitate Arctic naval activity. This backdrop serves as the stage for the series' central conflict, exploring how the West might react to a potential military provocation by Russia in the area.
The plot of 'Vigil' involves police chief Kirsten Longacre and her senior officer and partner, Amy Silva, investigating a series of incidents. These include an attempted defection by a Chinese climate scientist, firefights, murders, a bomb attack on a university lab, and the kidnapping of a government minister. The investigation forces the protagonists to question whether Russia is involved or if denials from a Russian colonel can be trusted.
The series' setting in Svalbard is highlighted for its unique, almost lunar beauty, with luminous skies and frozen mountains. This environment, combined with the presence of polar bears, adds an ethereal atmosphere to the crime investigation, a tradition seen in shows like 'True Detective' and 'The Killing.' The show's creators appear to be drawing on real-world concerns, as noted by Sir Richard Shirreff, a former deputy commander of NATO, who previously warned in the Daily Mail that Svalbard could become a flashpoint for a Third World War. The series' plot seems to echo these predictions.
Adding a personal element to the professional stakes, the series also revisits the relationship between Kirsten Longacre and Amy Silva, who have a child together. This aspect of their work-life balance is established as a complicating factor in their high-pressure assignments. While the opening episode reportedly focused on establishing these relationships, the overarching narrative is driven by the geopolitical tensions and the unfolding mystery in the remote Arctic setting.