According to the BBC TV listings on Saturday 19 October we are definitely getting Inspector Montalbano although it doesn't give the episode title, so presumably it is the new series unless they are going to show some of the early ones after Young Montalbano. Still whatever it is the bald, bandy hunk is back!

Salvo and co are the Polizia di Stato or State Police

The Carabinieri are a military force who also partake of police duties, similar to the Gendarmerie in France

Why would they have been put in charge of what to all intents and purposes was thought to be a health and safety issue at work?

Ciao

I'd figured the neighbour woman did it.

Lol at the fake elephant!

A chilling last episode

Eeeeeeeeek!

Whack him with a frying pan!

Why didnt Salvo arrest him straight away?!?!

Phewww! Bloody loon.

Fantastic . Loved how they tied up his story with his dad and with Livia as well.

I'm a total Montalbano convert now!
Edge-of-the-seat stuff tonight. I loved the tension, awesome soundtrack and the cinematic way it was shot - e.g the scene when Salvo, Fazio and Mimì are walking through the madman's house, being illuminated by the moonlight as they go.

Saves me from having to ask as I missed that bit

Roll on next Saturday Just to see the older version back will be a treat for these old sad eyes

I've never seen that so it will be interesting to see him depicted older.
They're making more of Young Montalbano too

Yes, I'm looking forward to seeing the older Montalbano back next week.

I did enjoyed this week, I think it was probably the best one so far, the last couple of episodes I got a bit bored in the middle!

I've loved Il Giovane, am looking forward to the older inspector's return, too.

It's been a pleasure looking at Michele Riondino and "Mimi" these past weeks and fun, too, sorting the Italian from the Sicilian dialect.

There seems to be so much "rabbit" in these episodes, that if you knew the language, you could probably understand what was going on, if it were on the radio instead of TV.

yes there is a lot of jaw, but then I find that adds to the charm. So much of it is about the dialogue, the mood, the location. The whodunnit aspect comes down the list, especially as it's often pretty obvious anyway.
There was plenty of tension and high drama last night though when they were on the trail of the religious nutjob.

Also I hope 'old' Montalbano lives up to expectations.
I'll be comparing him to Michele the whole time!

This was the best episode of the series IMO. I actually laughed out loud a couple of times as well: at those two old men shooting and swearing at each other across a field ("You're nothing but a b*****d!"); and then at Salvo saying "What an idiot" about Mimi taking the stage in the theatre, but doing a kind of false smile to the audience. Salvo is funny with Livia - he gets jealous so easily! He also doesn't trust her very much but she seems to humour him.

We also had a Sarah Lund moment with the torches at the cemetery!

Hmm it's odd 'cause you've watched it in reverse. For you it's the equivalent of seeing Shaun Evans as Morse first and then comparing John Thaw to him! Luca Zingaretti is also a fab actor - will be good to see him again next week. The mannerisms that Michele does as Salvo (e.g. saying "Uh." sharply to show that he has understood something) are obviously actually Luca's as Salvo so it's important to remember that. Michele did a good job with the mimicking though and adding to the role himself.

Just thought I'd post up this blog by Michele Riondino about the series:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/tv/posts/...-the-detective

These two quotes are interesting:


and:

This has now appeared on Digiguide and is stating: Series 3 Episode 1. (UK series numbering - Italian series 9.)

Sadly there only appear to be four episodes.

And I'm saving at least a couple for Christmas.

Yes interesting blog that. Poor Michele - sounds as if he was a bit scared taking on such a popular and well-established role!

I don't mind having seen it the 'wrong' way round as it were. In some ways it's the right way round in terms of the character's chronology
It's a bit like Doctor Who - everyone has 'their' Doctor.

There's no problem with it of course, as long as one remains open-minded about seeing other actors playing the role. I was just really saying to give Luca a chance as he's a fab actor, even though you really like Michele.