Wallander Sidetracked/Firewall

 

 

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Wallander: Sidetracked/Firewall/One Step Behind

Sidetracked opens with a 15 year old girl burning herself to death at the sight of Wallender. He's deeply effected. That's the strength of this scruffy-looking policeman -- he cares. The viewer soon discovers this suicide leads to a serial killer and eventially human trafficking. This is not Criminal Minds (I own them all) where the profiler is a respected member of the team. Wallander clearly isn't fond of the one inflicted on him, however, he always uses his talent and thanks him for his help. Wallender is truly a human cop. In this episode he comes to tuerms with the strained relationship with his father while solving this intricate crime with twists and turns that keep the viewer guessing.

Firewall: Wallender's daughter sets his up with an internet date. This relationships takes the viewer in an unexpected direction. The story opens with Sonja stabbing a taxi driver to death and turning herself into the cops. Then she escapes. A man turns up in the morgue, seemingly unrelated, 47 years of age is young for a heart attack. This leads to Wallender bringing in a hacker who's just finished a stretch of community service where he learns that it's bad to hack into government installations, but it's good to hack for the government. Reminds me of Garcia in Criminal Minds where she was givern a choice jail or join the FBI. There's is a quinky dry kind of humour in the series. Another funny scene includes the young policeman who faced with a locked door offers to kick it in for Wallender who gives him a withering look and goes to find the caretaker who opens the door. Shades of American violence is really funny in a quirky sort of way.

One Step behind: Another serial killer murders three picknickers and then the investigatin policeman is killed as well, dropping the serial murders in Wallender's lap. Wallander is puzzled to learn that the dead colleague consider him to be his best friend. (another mystery tied into the plot) There's an amazingly touching scene when the serial killer slips past Wallander and kills the last remaining member of the picknickers.We find Wallender sitting holding the dead girl in his lap, weeping. More killings force Wallender to admit he's been more interested in his career than his daughter and another touching scene occurs.

Sweedish police aren't American or British, but maybe you knew that, I didn't. There's no rank here. No DCI's, DI, DS or DC hierarchy. No American type funeral in full dress uniforms when one of their own dies, and the presentation of a flag.

I'm a policmean. My name's Wallender is how our star introduces himself. In fact there's no rivalry or rancour over rank in the force. Everyone does their job as part of a team without question or quibble. In fact it's hard to tell who Wallender's boss is without a title and the usual crusty, order-issuing demaeanor. She's quiet and helpful and behind-the-scenes. Wallender is polite (most of the time) and appreciative of each members skills. (The profiler only appears in the first episode, and the hacker only in the second) the team consists of Wallender, his boss (seldom seen let alone interfereing), his second, a woman and the junior male. Without rank I'm at a loss to explain the relationships other than harmonious.

Another sociological difference is the use of firearems. No NCIS entry into the suspect's home with guns drawn and the preverbial call of "clear" when no one is home. The Swedes do carry guns, but seldom use them. It's no necessary, altho in the last episode, Wallender is glad his junior carries a gun. The characters, whether family members or friends of the murdered person are emotional, each in their own expression of their character. The police team are friendly without being friends. And the British cup of tea isn't offered upon entry of anyone's home. They drink coffee and aren't very inviting.

It's a great series. Intricate plots unfold based on subtle characterization (the sign of good writing) that eventually lead Wallender to solve each series of murders. After watching this one, I'm a fan.

By the way, if your collections is half as big as mine, you'll be happy to know all three movies (1 1/2 hours long) along with the extras are held in a single DVD case.

This British adaptation of three of Mankell's Kurt Wallander murder mysteries is an extremely successful effort to capture the intricate plots and characterization that are in the books. The production is high quality with beautiful views of southern Sweden and Swedish lifestyle. Branagh portrays the gloomy, dissolute Wallander very well and the supporting cast is well matched. Anyone who likes the classic British detective genre, only a bit grittier, will thoroughly enjoy these episodes.

This is an excellent adaptation of Henning Mankell's Kurt Wallander mysteries. Kenneth Branagh is well cast as the brooding and dedicated Swedish homicide detective. The 2 DVD set features three Wallander novels: Sidetracked, Firewall, and One Step Behind. Also included are some extras, such as interviews with Mankell and Branagh, and behind-the-scenes profiles. This BBC production features british actors and is shot on location at Ystad in Sweden. I'm eagerly looking forward to future episodes and wished they had filmed more than just three. Recently broadcast on PBS Masterpiece Mystery, if you missed it, here is your chance to catch an intelligent, challenging, and suspenseful set of modern noir detective thrillers.

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5.0 out of 5 stars Not just another mystery series
The other reviewers have covered the three episodes on this 2-disc set, so I won't get into specifics about the plots and so on. Read more

Published 13 months ago by Kolyenka K

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