User Reviews

This mystery is less focused on plot and more on the emotional frustrations of the characters. Mimi Augello (Cesare Bocci) is still agonizing over whether to marry his fiancée or not, especially when he encounters an ex-lover Clementina (Gigliola Raja) who upbraids him for his lack of constancy. Maria Stella Cosentino (Daniela Marazzita) falls in love for a con-artist who does not reciprocate her love; he has a homosexual relationship with his accomplice. Doomed to a life of perpetual isolation after her father's death, Maria Stella lives alone in a barn-like house with many empty rooms, rather like Manderley in Daphne Du Maurier's REBECCA. Montalbano (Luca Zingaretti) sympathizes with her plight, to such an extent that he is prepared to put his reputation on the line by breaking the law. The entire episode is about loss: Montalbano has a rare show of temper as he discovers that an old olive tree close to his seaside home has been uprooted to make way for a new house; he encounters a man who is hard of hearing and finds it difficult to communicate his purposes, and loses his temper once more. There are humorous moments - for example a sequence where a multicolored parrot recites extracts from "The Communist Manifesto," much to Montalbano's amusement - but the episode is more meditative in tone with an ending paying more than a passing homage to William Faulkner's short story "A Rose for Emily" (1930).

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 Scent of Night" is another one of my favourite 'Inspector Montalbano'. It is one of the more sombre and meditative episodes of the show but does it in a way that's pretty haunting and poignant.

One always expects 'Inspector Montalbano' to look good. As always with 'Inspector Montalbano', "The Scent of Night" 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 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.

Writing is tightly structured and taut, with very funny to hilarious humour (the parrot scene especially, the viewer's reaction matches Montalbano's), nail-biting tension and involving and poignant human drama balanced beautifully. The subtitles are not hard to follow and the story absorbs and affects. Really liked Mimi getting more development.

Characters may be stereotypes but well-written ones, especially one of the most fascinating foreign detective mystery dramas titular characters there is to me and the scene-stealing Catarella (hilarious comic relief but more than that). The supporting characters intrigue too, especially one of the show's most fascinating supporting characters Maria Stella. The frustrations of the characters, which the episode focuses more than usual on, are compellingly conveyed.

Acting is terrific, especially from Luca Zigaretti 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. Angelo Russo's comic timing is a refreshing and always perfectly timed joy, while Cesare Bocci and Peppino Mazzotta are solid as usual. Of the supporting cast, the haunting performance of Daniela Marazzita stands out.

Overall, wonderful episode and to me one of my favourites of the show. 10/10 Bethany Cox