An Event in Autumn

An Event in Autumn is one powerful episode, plenty of changes, including new cast members, a smarter looking Kenneth Branagh, and Magnus has moved on, but the usual dark and gloomy tale. The initial sunshine for Wallander in the form of Vanja (Saskia Reeves) doesn't last long, and all the better for it, where would we be with a smiling, carefree Kurt. The storyline is great one, very dark and bleak, some incredibly scenes, in particular the dog incident, which has to be one of the darkest, most shocking moments on the show. Excellent performances, the regulars are great as always, Donald Sumpter is brilliant, but the show was owned by Con O'Neill, who was just incredible, he really does manage to get under your skin.

One of the best episodes of the show, if I had a criticism it would be they used some awful scenery, Sweden normally looks (and is!) a glorious country, they certainly didn't make it so here.

In this story, Wallander becomes involved in a case where a pregnant girl either jumped or was pushed off a boat. At the beginning of the episode, we actually see him smiling. He is normally so morose that this is quite amazing. However, this only lasts briefly as he is submerged into the armpit of the world again. He is living with a woman who is there for him, but, at least here, he doesn't seem to even meet her half way. She recognizes in him his determination and his drive, but little things, like letting people know where he is and when he will return or even that he is leaving, are the kinds of things that crush his relationships. He is an obsessive type which makes him a great policeman, a man of details. Here he begins to piece together a pair of deaths that are related. It so happens that a body is buried in a garden next to his current home. He must also deal with the near death of his partner who has been hit in the head with a sledgehammer by an enraged man. This is a dark story, not the least bit happy, but this character lives in the darkest recesses of his mind.

Oh, you thought perhaps because in the opening scenes Detective Wallander appeared to be in much better physical and emotional shape, this installment would be sweetness 'n' light?

What? You figured, here's a whole new kind of depressive detective, one who bakes cakes, does jigs by the light of the midnight sun, and sings "Oklahoma!"?

Rest assured, the cavalcade of cadavers continues apace! Dainty shot of arm attached to torso washed up on a cold beach framed by grey skies. Cheery scene in which Wallander discovers human skull in his backyard.

Nice attempted homicide-by-sledgehammer by a perp who could be the grandson of Chuck Manson.

More gray skies. Brooding. Drinks. Brooding. Saskia Reeves' character Vanja Andersson, is elegant, mysterious, alluring as Wallander's girlfriend, a welcome Anglo-Dutch balm for sore eyes. A lovely lady and fine actress whose presence keeps one from reaching for the box of double edged razor blades....

Missed this series during its long absence from PBS, glad it's back and look forward to many more. They say the Nordic people are prone to brooding. A fine pastime, fun for the whole family. Wallander aptly demonstrates the fine art of brooding and solving the unsolvable simultaneously.

Paul Vincent Zecchino Manasovietskiya Ostrova, Fluorida 09 September, 2012