Love detective mystery dramas, particularly those from the UK and US ('Inspector Morse', 'A Touch of Frost', 'Foyle's War', 'Inspector George Gently', 'Midsomer Murders', 'Law and Order', 'Criminal Minds', 'Monk' and 'Murder She Wrote' for examples, and non-English/American ones (i.e. The Swedish 'Wallander' and the Danish 'The Killing') also fascinate me.
'Inspector Montalbano' is one of the best and most entertaining examples. It is not easy breathing freshness into a well-worn genre but 'Inspector Montalbano' manages to do so with aplomb. Watching 'Inspector Montalbano' is like eating a delicious Italian meal that immensely satisfies and leaves you wanting more. There may be very familiar tropes, but in a way it's inevitable and doesn't detract from the enjoyment at all.
The show is at the top of its game with its most recent episode "As Per Procedure". It's to me the best 'Inspector Montalbano' episode since "The Potter's Field" and one of the best, the epitome of classic 'Inspector Montalbano', a show where even the weakest episodes are still very good.
One always expects 'Inspector Montalbano' to look good. As always with 'Inspector Montalbano', "As Per Procedure" is beautifully shot and the scenery is stunning, making those who've never been to Italy want to book a holiday there as soon as possible and is a treat for anybody who loves all things Italian. The scenery as always is atmospheric and the use of it very clever, the locale as always is suitably colourful. The music is never over-bearing or low-key with a nice atmosphere and flavour, a lot of it is very cleverly used. The sound effects are remarkably authentic.
The script is thought-provoking and intriguing, with a healthy balance of never less than amusing if more eccentric than usual humour, a lot of nail-biting tension (a lot is at stake here) and some charming drama with Montalbano's complicated personal life (how lovely to see Ingrid again). The English subtitles are not hard to follow at all and helps one to really understand the Italian language. The story is one of the show's grimmest and darkest, but it's also hugely compelling and suitably twisty while not being too convoluted and never illogical. The final pay-off is hugely rewarding, one of the show's best ever denouements.
Characters may be stereotypes but well-written ones, especially one of the most fascinating foreign detective mystery dramas titular characters there is to me. The supporting characters are intriguing and the other regulars are true to character. Also appreciated the softer side to Dr Pasquano. Livia and Ingrid together was a treat.
Acting is terrific, especially from Luca Zingaretti who is a treasure in the title role, having a perfect balance of comedy and drama and playing it straight while always engaging with his material. Cesare Bocci, Peppino Mazzotta and Angelo Russo are joys, while Sonia Bergamasco is my personal favourite of the three actresses playing Livia, not just because she's authentically Italian but she is charming and fiery with great chemistry with Zingaretti. Isabell Sollman makes a more than welcome return. So The supporting cast are solid.
Overall, wonderful classic episode, one of the best. 10/10 Bethany Cox