Una Faccenda Delicata

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.

"A Delicate Matter" may not be one of my favourite 'Inspector Montalbano' but it is a great start to the fourth season (as aired here in the UK on BBC4). It occasionally rambles in the pace, other than that there is nothing to criticise.

One always expects 'Inspector Montalbano' to look good. As always with 'Inspector Montalbano', "A Delicate Matter" 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.

As ever, there is a very good mix of hilarious if more eccentric than usual humour (not just Catarella but Dr Pasquano as well), tension and charming drama, all balanced very well as usual, and it's thought-provoking as well. The story is absorbing, suitably challenges the viewer without confusing them and is mostly tightly plotted. Oh and Mimi's theory about the crime is fun.

Characters may be stereotypes but well-written ones, especially one of the most fascinating foreign detective mystery dramas titular characters there is to me.

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 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.

In conclusion, another great episode. 9/10 Bethany Cox

With each new series, this gets more and more like watching 'Doctor Who'! This time, not only does Livia have a brand new identity, but, heaven forfend, there is also a new Adelina!

The numerous incarnations of Livia can come and go, and we all know for certain that each new one will nag Salvo mercilessly to within an inch of his life on a daily basis. But you just don't mess with Adelina, OK?

This creates serious worries that her legendary arancini might no longer be quite up to standard, no longer three hours of gentle patient simmering for the sauce, and then where would Salvo be?

This episode delivers another neatly convoluted plot, with all the customary twists and turns. But having used the word "plot", on this one occasion. Mimì really does lose it, vanishing into a mystery vortex of his own sexual fantasies. But then, that's just Mimì, now isn't it?

Mimì apart, the other central characters are all strong, and Catarella again delivers his own 'savant' moment, through which a vital clue is revealed.

As always, a thoroughly good evening's viewing, and 8/10 this time.