Saagar Kote
Set in Stockholm in 1958, Netflix’s ‘The New Force‘ or ‘Skiftet’ chronicles the experiences of the country’s inaugural batch of female police officers. The Swedish drama centers on Carin, Siv, and Ingrid as they navigate the police force, confronting sexism, prejudice, and personal emotional struggles. Despite their talent and eagerness, they encounter ridicule and doubt from their male counterparts and media scrutiny regarding women’s suitability for such a demanding profession.
Carin’s resolve is particularly tested when she encounters Monica, a sex worker, while Siv and Ingrid develop intricate relationships with their male colleagues, facing their own unique challenges. One of the more tender parts of the show is the relationship between Carin and Arne. The two of them go through difficult challenges, especially due to the dangers involved in Carin’s profession. As the narrative reaches its concluding parts, the bond between Carin and Arne hangs in the balance. SPOILERS AHEAD.
Carin and Arne Build a Complex Relationship
The relationship between Carin and Arne initially begins as a tender relationship full of understanding and love. When Carin starts to work for the police force, her new job comes with its own set of risks and challenges that put her in dangerous scenarios. In a particularly threatening moment for Arne, he is troubled by Jack, who physically beats him, in order to make Carin give him the money he thinks he is owed. Arne, just by association with Carin, puts his own life at risk. This leads to a breaking point in the relationship between the two, after Arne finds that the money demanded by Carin at an earlier point in the story is not for her mother, but as a means to pay Jack. Arne asks his lover to move out of the house, essentially ending the relationship.
The two of them get another chance when Carin visits Arne at his workplace. She tells her former lover that she will be leaving the police force, as it is not worth losing him. She says that she wants to be with him, and the two of them reunite. However, after solving Monica’s case, the police officer changes her mind about quitting the force. During dinner, she tells Arne that she wants to have a home and family with him. He gets excited and happy about the possibility of sharing a life together. When the cop suggests that she wants to stay in the police force, he finds it difficult to accept her choice, due to his own insecurities and the risks associated with police work.
He asks her why she changed her mind, but she says that she is willing to work around her schedule and continue their relationship. Arne gets sad and says that he cannot trust her anymore, especially due to the fact that she puts her work before their relationship. Arne’s desire to have kids soon also proves to be a major hurdle in the relationship. It can be presumed that the two will not get back together again, as they have realized how different their views are. Ultimately, despite the love and understanding between the two characters, their priorities and viewpoints in life take them in separate directions.
Read More: Is The New Force a True Story?
