As a fan of the original series starring Luca Zingaretti I was interesting to see how this prequel series would turn out. Set in the early nineties this story begins in the mountains of Sicily with Montalbano is a young deputy inspector; he has been called out following the murder of a man who appears to have been kicked by a man wearing Second World War metal studded boots. This isn't the episodes main case though; that doesn't begin till he is transferred to the familiar coastal setting of Vigata where he is to be the new inspector. While giving evidence in court he sees a nervous young woman; later he sees her again on the bus and notices she has a gun in her bag. When arrested she initially refuses to talk but eventually she claims that she had intended to kill a judge there for her boyfriend who had just got out of jail; there is one problem though; the gun she says he gave her doesn't work. As newly promoted Montalbano investigates he quickly starts to doubt her story and uses some unorthodox methods to establish the truth.
Fans of the original series need not worry about this series being less fun at least in the strength of this opening episode. Star Michele Riondino might not look like Zingaretti but he does a fine job as Montalbano. The story itself does feature one highly unlikely coincidence but that can be forgiven as it isn't meant to be entirely realistic it is meant to be entertaining and it is. This episode also sees another familiar character arrive at Vigata police station for the first time; the hilarious Catarella! Fabrizio Pizzuto plays him now and he seems as amusing as ever. While I expect most viewers will have watched the original version I don't think it is necessary as this does a good job of introducing the characters. Having seen how good this opening episode was I am certainly looking forward to seeing more.
Fans of the original series need not worry about this series being less fun at least in the strength of this opening episode. Star Michele Riondino might not look like Zingaretti but he does a fine job as Montalbano. The story itself does feature one highly unlikely coincidence but that can be forgiven as it isn't meant to be entirely realistic it is meant to be entertaining and it is. This episode also sees another familiar character arrive at Vigata police station for the first time; the hilarious Catarella! Fabrizio Pizzuto plays him now and he seems as amusing as ever. While I expect most viewers will have watched the original version I don't think it is necessary as this does a good job of introducing the characters. Having seen how good this opening episode was I am certainly looking forward to seeing more.
