Les Enquêtes de l'inspecteur Wallander

Series One, Episode One: Definitely a five. I'm glad that after a long time, a properly atmospheric detective story finally made it to TV. The first story is harsh, slow (but not leisurely and certainly not boring), chilling and every minute of it makes you feel oppressed and hopeless. This is abundantly assisted by the camera stylized in the coldest shades of all colors (the shots of the canola fields are a contrasting exception) and the strange, but 100% impressive psycho-music. Kenneth Branagh is great, so I'm waiting for the sequel and I hope it's just as good._____Episode Two: Four stars this time, mainly for (how do I say this and not spoil it?) one female character who seemed like a big cliché from the very beginning. There. Otherwise, once again a quality show, which fortunately retained all the positives of the first part._____Episode Three, the end of the first series: Best story ever, five stars for the second time. The sense of hopelessness and doom I get from it now may not be the most pleasant - it's as cold as ice and frightening in how believable it is, but I still have to bow down. What Branagh did is unprecedented. God, I haven't seen something so depressing and compelling in a long time. Wallander is clearly a top-notch crime drama._____Series Two, Episode One: Today the show was weaker. Not a very interesting murder, not a very interesting investigation... But good scenes from Wallander's private life, developing his relationship with his daughter and father... Thanks to that, and especially thanks to the riveting final half hour with one shot, suspension and the scene at the fair, I would give this episode about 3.5 stars. Hopefully the series will improve with the next part._____Series Two, Part Two: Excellent! I'd probably give this episode a sixth star if it were possible. Scenes such as Kurt's initial "return to civilization" cannot be found anywhere else. And that's just the simple start. Wallander does all the things we've become accustomed to. He grieves, he suffers, but at the same time he hopes that everything will be better, and therefore he tries (successfully or not) to change. We saw death, the fight for life, another great father-daughter scene, we saw Kurt's return to duty... All this against the backdrop of a thrilling investigation into the causes of an unusual murder. Great! Five stars it is._____Series Two, Part Three, the finale: There's nothing to solve. The series was over and it was saving the best for last. The MOST horrifying murders, the MOST atmospheric investigation, the MOST feeling of everything being screwed up and also the MOST relief that comes afterwards. Those of you who have seen it know what I'm talking about._____ As for the overall rating, Wallander deserves my five absolute stars. By TV standards (and not only by TV standards), this is a unique project with an incredibly civil and human hero who will win everyone over, and in whom everyone will surely recognize themselves at least once. I salute Kenneth Branagh and his touchingly tragic tough guy. (06/09/2010) (moins) (plus)