You can tell that a series has had its day, so to speak, when the story recycles familiar plot-conventions.
This is precisely what happens with "Death on the High Seas." A corpse is found on a fishing-boat, apparently the victim of an accidental shooting. Inspector Montalbano (Michele Riondino) investigates, and becomes involved in a complicated plot involving love, drug- smuggling and deceit. There is also a subplot in which Fazio (Andrea Tidona) is involved in some nefarious scheme that he refuses to divulge to Montalbano; it is left to Fazio's father Giuseppe (Beniamino Marcone) to spill the beans.
Eventually it turns out that Montalbano has to solve cases involving the Mafia - the two major Sicilian families that seem to be behind every crime happening in Vigata crop up once more. There is a fire - which also cropped up in the previous episode in this series ("Room Number 12") - as well as a love-plot involving two women with a yen for members of the opposite sex.
The characterization proceeds along wearyingly predictable lines. Mimi (Alessio Vassallo) looks for more female conquests while advising Montalbano on the best way to enjoy his last days of freedom before marriage. Catarella (Fabrizio Pizzuto) has a few brief moments of buffoonery as he trips over a door frame, and complains about his finger being pricked by a thumb-tack. Meanwhile Montalbano experiences agonies of indecision about his projected wedding to Livia (Sarah Felberbaum).
Perhaps the sole redeeming aspect of this episode is the Sicilian locations: the cramped streets; the expanse of sea forming a backdrop to many of the sequences; and the long-shots depicting the insignificance of the characters in relation to the natural elements.