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Erikoisjoukot
Finnish reality television program From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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Erikoisjoukot (Finnish, 'Special Forces') is a Finnish quasi-military training television programme based on the British SAS: Who Dares Wins format. The show first premiered on streaming service Ruutu in May 2022, and later premiered on Nelonen network early 2023.[2] The second season began to air in March 2024,[3] with a third season being confirmed by the channel to air in 2025.[4]
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During the three first seasons of the program, it became the most viewed finnish original series of Ruutu streaming service ever, with over 400,000 launches on the platform.[5] Before the end of the 3rd season, one of the instructors of the show, Jan Knutti told in an estonian YouTube podcast that they have already confirmed two further seasons, set to be filmed back-to-back in summer of 2025.[6]
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Format
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Following the premise of the original, British adaption, a group of celebrities are put into a shortened version of the Special Forces’ selection course. Over the course of two weeks, the recruits must face their fears and complete in various tasks designed for those who aspire for the Finland's Defence Forces' Special Forces. At the end of the course, the Head Instructor and his fellow Directing Staff will decide, who has passed the selection process.
The conditions of the recruits during the course are considered rudimental as they reflect a real combat base. They are accommodated at the Abandoned Limestone Factory in the town of Lohja, the surrounding environment of which is not only versatile, but one of the roughest in the country. The recruits will not receive any special treatment, but will be completely at the mercy of the Directing Staff.
Unlike many other reality competition series, there are no straight eliminations. However, the recruits can be culled by the Staff, or withdrawn, in case of any injuries or medical reasons to be quitted from the course. The recruits can also decide themselves, to voluntarily withdraw from the competition, if the pressures are getting too high – and hand their armband to one of the Directing Staff instructors.
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Cast
The Directing Staff consists of four ex-Special Forces soldiers of the Finnish Defence Forces, with the combined experience of over four decades of war fighting and operations. The Head Instructor ('Pääkouluttaja') is Janne Lehtonen, an ex-Finnish Navy Special Forces Sergeant, Combat Diver, Scout Sniper and Combat Medic in Counter-Terrorism contracts, with 13 years of experience on the fronts.[7] The other Directing Staff instructors are: Jan Knutti, a former Navy Combat Diver and Finnish Border Guard's Officer for the Counter-Terrorism unit; Matias Petäistö, a former Pioneer and team leader for the Finnish Army's Utti Jaeger Regiment; and Robin Hendry, a former Navy's Combat Diver and Combat Medic.
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Seasons
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Series overview
Winners
Season 1 (2023)
The filming began on early August 2021 at Abandoned Limestone Factory, in the city of Lohja, Finland. 14 well-known finnish Celebrities took part in this Season.[2]
Recruits
Episodes
Season 2 (2024)
The 15 celebrity recruits of the second season were revealed in January 2024. Like the first season, this season was filmed at the abandoned Limestone Factory in Lohja, in autumn of 2023.[3][13] At the end of the season, there is an "Aftermath" episode, in which the recruits and instructors gather to discuss about their journey.[9][14]
Recruits
Episodes
Season 3 (2025)
The third season was filmed at the factory on Lohja in October of 2024, and is airing in Spring 2025.[4][15] Seventeen celebrity recruits took part in this season.[16][17] As a gamechanging feature for the season, one of the recruits, Jessica Reiman is the "spy" or "mole" set by the Directing Staff, whose mission is to constantly keep up with the recruits, and leak information about them to the staff.[18]
Recruits
Episodes
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Reception
Critical reception
The show has formed mixed reception. While some television viewers have been pleased and open minded towards the format, many people disagree with the physical and mental pain the recruits will have to go through in the series. Some authors of Helsingin Sanomat have criticed for the pointless "maltreatment" of the recruits, and that it "won't raise one's health".[19][20] For the response, the Head Instructor of the program, Sergeant Janne Lehtonen has said, that "everything on the program has a purpose", and that "by stretching the limits of human body, people can find new sides and characteristics from themselves".[21]
Awards and nominations
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See also
Notes
References
External links
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