Morning television is often an exercise in expecting the unexpected. From wardrobe malfunctions to poorly researched stories, the pressure of going live to the nation, and politics on and off screen, it’s a special brand of mayhem that few are equipped to handle. As beloved host of Denmark Awakes, however, Lise Jensen (Katrine Greis-Rosenthal), the protagonist of Danish series Chaos, feels she has conquered the breakfast timeslot.
The key to Lise’s success appears to be her unparalleled ability to shrug off criticism and stay in control of the madness around her. She’s stood the test of time in an industry where faces come and go, and, despite everything, she genuinely loves her job. That is, until new management deems the show outdated and Lise is faced with an unexpected crisis of career and identity. After all, television is more than just work for Lise, it’s her life, and no amount of well-rehearsed charm will be enough to smooth this particular situation over.
Martin (Hadi Ka-Koush) and Lise (Katrine Greis-Rosenthal) on set. Credit: Viaplay / Henrik Ohsten
Fortunately, Lise is able to find some solace in her husband and co-host, Martin (Hadi Ka-Koush) who loves her deeply and knows just what to say to stop her spiral into self-doubt. Being labelled ‘Demark’s favourite couple’ doesn’t necessarily guarantee a perfect relationship behind the scenes, however, and with both of them faced with the prospect of being out of work, the focus shifts to their relationship away from the camera. Will they have the children Martin so desperately wants? Was their job keeping them together? And is the seemingly perfect life Lise has cultivated over the past decade the life she actually wants?
As if the looming loss of her job weren’t surprise enough, a chance meeting with the mysterious Johannes (Jacob Lohmann) opens Lise’s eyes to new possibilities and prompts even more questions. He, too, knows what it’s like to feel tossed aside, and their shared desire to ‘resurrect’ and start over draws them together. Their conversation, and the free-spirited life Johannes leads, inspires Lise to fight back and choose her own destiny rather than waiting for others to determine it for her. Her rediscovered tenacity gets her a final opportunity to prove she is still as relevant and relatable as ever, and it looks as if things are back on track.
Lise with Johannes (Jacob Lohmann). Credit: Viaplay / Valdemar Cold Winge Leisner
Just like morning television, however, even the best laid plans go awry, and try as she might, the disconnect between herself and Martin becomes harder for Lise to ignore. As someone who knows exactly what she wants in every other situation, and usually gets it, the reality of what she doesn’t want continues to present itself. The deadline of her second shot at keeping Denmark Awakes alive translates into her personal life, and there are questions that demand answers sooner rather than later. As it becomes increasingly more difficult to keep their off-screen dramas private, the questions, and growing tension with Martin, see Lise pulled more and more towards something new, namely the limitless world that Johannes inhabits. It’s a world away from the weight of the expectations that surround her, and he presents an intriguing alternative to the overly planned, precisely controlled life that Lise has valued up until now.
The decision to include Johannes in a television segment is motivated in part by Lise’s fascination with his unconventional existence, but also by the undeniable connection between them. With her life already well and truly disrupted, Lise can’t help but wonder if the universe is attempting to take her in an entirely new direction, but could it cost her everything?
With no voice in her ear directing her next move, no script, and no PR strategy to get her out of trouble if things go wrong, it’s the ultimate risk. Will Johannes’ world be able to mesh with her own? And if not, is Lise prepared to give it all away for a chance at a fresh start in life and love?
Chaos stands right in the middle of the comedic, heartbreaking, and often times confusing battle between head and heart. As Lise reaches a crossroads, both professionally and personally, the realisation that she can go in any direction she chooses is terrifying and liberating in equal measure. Each of its eight episodes takes a refreshingly honest look at the fallacy of having it all, and instead, Lise’s story becomes one defined by choice, and the magic to be found in moving towards the best version of yourself.
Chaos is streaming now at SBS On Demand.
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Chaos
