The Territory (2019)

“Polyarny” is a Russian TV series that successfully blends crime comedy with a drama about a man out of place. The story is built around the collision between the big criminal world and a small northern town, where unspoken rules, a specific rhythm of life, and local ideas of justice prevail.

Concept and Plot

Vadim Mikhalkov is a former 1990s “fixer,” a man with a criminal past who is trying to live quietly and stay out of sight. By a twist of fate, he ends up in the Arctic town of Polyarny, where he unexpectedly becomes a key figure in local life.
His old skills, connections, and reputation once again prove useful, but now Mikhalkov must balance between his past and the attempt to start over from scratch.

The series is built not only on criminal intrigues, but also on everyday conflicts, the absurdity of provincial life, and human weaknesses.

Expert Assessment

The strength of “Polyarny” lies in its subtle sense of environment. The North here is not mere scenery, but a full-fledged participant in the story: cold, isolation, and enclosed space heighten both tension and the comedic effect of situations.
The protagonist is not a romanticized gangster, but a tired man who understands too well how power works and why it is so hard to give it up.

The show’s humor often grows out of contrast: serious criminal methods collide with a naïve yet stubborn local reality.

Themes and Subtext

• an attempt to atone for the past;

• power and responsibility;

• the province as a world of its own;

• criminal logic in peaceful life;

• a man versus his own reputation.

Atmosphere and Style

The series uses a restrained color palette, northern landscapes, and a calm pace that is periodically shattered by criminal events.
Music and editing do not pressure the viewer, allowing scenes to “breathe” and work through dialogue and character.

Cultural Context

“Polyarny” resonated with the audience’s demand for crime stories without gloss, where the focus is not on shootouts, but on people and their choices. The series is often compared to provincial crime dramas, yet it maintains its own tone — ironic, but never lightweight.

Editorial Conclusion

“Polyarny” is a series about the fact that you can’t simply run away from your past.
Even at the edge of the map, old decisions catch up with you, and the real test begins when power must be used not for dominance, but for people. It is a calm, occasionally ironic, and fairly honest story about a second chance — one that does not come for free.