"Detective Montalbano" La danza del gabbiano (TV Episode 2011) Poster

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9/10
The Gull's Dance
Tweekums28 October 2012
Warning: Spoilers
When Fazio's father comes into the station asking about his son's whereabouts Montalbano acts unconcerned and says he is involved in a case. He isn't though and Montalbano is starting to get worried. When reports come in of shots fired at the harbour the concerns grow even greater. Then to make matters worse he learns that a witness saw Fazio covered in blood near three disused wells in the mountains. The police head there but they are only expecting to find his body given what the witness said. When they get there they do indeed find two bodies; neither is Fazio though; one has been there for several days and the other appears to have fallen or been thrown into a well while still alive. With this news their hopes rise; perhaps Fazio managed to overpower his attacker and his now hiding in the mountains nearby waiting to be found.

This was another fine instalment of 'Inspector Montalbano'; the case was interesting and seemed more relevant as it involved a major character who we have grown to care about over the course of the series. While this increased the drama it didn't do so at the cost of the humour; I loved the scene where Montalbano kept dropping hints about the lovely fish soup a witness was making, also fun was seeing him tell a Mafioso's wife about her husband's affair with a transvestite. The subplot involving Montalbano's involvement with a nurse was enjoyable even if elements of it were slightly cliché.
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10/10
Classic 'Inspector Montalbano'
TheLittleSongbird17 October 2017
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.

While there are many wonderful episodes of 'Inspector Montalbano', and even the weakest episodes up to this point in the show were still very good, "The Gull's Dance" is up there with the classics.

One always expects 'Inspector Montalbano' to look good. As always with 'Inspector Montalbano', "The Gull's Dance" 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 scenery as always is atmospheric and the use of it very clever. 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.

As ever, loved the mix of humour (almost all from Montalbano, particularly the scenes agreed with the fish soup and the transvestite affair revelation), tension (this is one of the most tense 'Inspector Montalbano' episodes, nail-biting even) and drama (the concern for Fazio is very believable and touching and the Montalbano and nurse subplot was a nice touch if perhaps the least interesting element of the episode, only because the rest of the episode is so wonderful).

Loved the story too in "The Gull's Dance". It is always compelling, very tense, tightly plotted and never illogical, despite some of it being complex.

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 this is the most interesting and easiest to root for Fazio has been up to this point in the show.

Acting is terrific, especially from Luca Zingaretti 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. Peppino Mazzotta successfully allows one to hope that Fazio is okay.

In conclusion, an 'Inspector Montalbano' classic. 10/10 Bethany Cox
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