Wallander (TV Series) Vittnet (2010) User Reviews

Strong series... And here is suitable to assess the whole series 2

[BeneCumb · 7/10 · 20 February 2013]

Generally, the whole series is interesting to follow, although not all the films are of equal intense, pace or smoothness. In my view, it depends on the topics; as all crimes are love- and/or money-related, then the depiction of background events and their switch is very important. Thus, money seems to create more interesting and versatile scenes and solutions than love. Here, I like Skytten/The Sniper most. The cast is evenly strong and the leading role is not disturbingly more known or better - as is the case with the British Wallander series where Kenneth Branagh is an international star. All the characters are elaborated and Wallander does not dominate in the scenes more than necessary - as a chief. Of course, if you like constant chases, "witty" jokes and explosions, they you should probably stick to the US series.

Compared to similar series internationally, I would give the Series Two eight strong points.

Great actors - terrible plot

[ssidenius · 3/10 · 22 November 2020]

The great actors in this series can't save the terrible screenplay and plot of this episode. Everything is unrealistic and stupid. Just annoying.

Slave labor

[jotix100 · 8/10 · 5 July 2011]

An unscrupulous man, Filip Pasolic, facing a trial for his part in the importation of foreign workers into Sweden, is at the center of this story. Like all people in his position, he has secured an expensive lawyer to represent him in court. He also begins to deal in his own way with the people that are trying to get him to jail. Katarina Ahlsell, in charge of the prosecution is targeted to be killed with an explosive device planted in her car. Unfortunately, Kurt Wallander, going to get something from the vehicle, is knocked down by the explosion as he tries to open the door, landing him in a hospital.

The investigation into the presence of the illegals in Swedish territory focuses on Zoran, a man who is Pasolic's right hand man in the foreigners presence in the country. Zoran is a ruthless individual who causes the death of two Polish men. He has no problems dumping their bodies into a garbage disposal device. However, little does Zoran know one of the workers has brought a younger sister he could not leave behind. This girl, Natalia, will play an important role in the apprehension of Zoran and sending Filip Pasolic to prison when Wallander and his team get to unfold the conspiracy behind the operation the criminals have been conducting.

Based on Henning Mankell's stories, this episode marks the end of the 2010 series based on Ystad's police chief Kurt Wallander. This chapter was directed by Kathrine Windfield, who earlier directed another installment. Stephen Apelgren and Pernilla Oljelund are credited for writing the screenplay. In a surprising twist, we watch as Kurt Wallander, clearly in love with Katarina decides to abandon Ystad in exchange for Stockholm, where she has decided to return after a stint in the small town.

Krister Henriksson seen as Kurt Wallander in the series made a wonderful contribution to the success of the Swedish version. He was joined by Lena Endre, a marvelous actress who played Katarina. Their attraction is played subtly, but the viewer gets the undercurrent of what is really happening between them. One could only wish there would be another season, but it appears nothing is in the making. The supporting cast contribute to create characters that feel real and it is to their credit that most of the stories are played as an ensemble piece.

A great conclusion to series two

[Tweekums · 9/10 · 21 June 2010]

In several episodes of this series Kurt Wallander has played second fiddle to recruits Isabell and Pontus but they have now left Ystad and Kurt is very much centre stage in this series finale. Shortly after the episode opens Kurt is injured by a car bomb placed under Katarina's car, luckily it is a small device intended to scare rather than to kill anybody. It is assumed that this was an attempt to scare Katrina into dropping a case against a man accused of using cheap illegal labour. Apparently unconnected to this case a local building project is under threat when the people paying for it change the time scale. The site manager orders his Lithuanian workers to work a double shift and after an accident injures one worker and kills another he tells the remaining workers that they can go home for the night while he waits for the ambulance, once they are gone he kills the survivor and disposes of their bodies. Unknown to him one of the workers' little sister was staying with him and she witnesses his actions. She screams when she sees her dead brother and he chases after her. She evades him but is caught trying to stowaway in a ferry. Taken to the police station she tells Kurt what she saw. They take her with them when they go to the site but she sees the killer and flees once again. As the company is investigated it becomes clear that the man running it was associated with the man suspected of ordering the bombing of Katrina's car. When he learns who the girl who witnessed his crime is it becomes a race between him and the police to find her, this leads to a tense stand off between Kurt and the suspect. While Kurt is investigating this case Katrina's case is not going well as witnesses fail to turn up or change their statements when questioned in court.

This episode was a great ending to a fine series; there was a good story featuring some exciting scenes as well as several emotional scenes, chief among these is when Kurt things he may lose his faithful dog Jussi after a much larger bomb in his own car it triggered. Krister Henriksson did a splendid job in the title role as did the other cast members including the young girl who played Natalia; the girl who witnessed the crime. As the episode ends it is unclear if we will get another series... I certainly hope there is one as I've really enjoyed this series.

In for the Whole Pot

[Hitchcoc · 9/10 · 7 December 2015]

One of the best episodes ends the second season of the series. There are so many issues. First of all, there is a trial going on where a crime kingpin is managing to scare away witnesses who initially were going to testify against him. Secondly, we have a worksite where Lithuanian workers are transported and expected to act almost as slaves. Pushing the men to hard and cutting corners leads to the death of a young guy. This kid has his sister with him (9 or 10 years old) and she witnesses the foreman dropping his body and a friend's into a grinder to cover up his carelessness and indifference. She must fend for herself and stay out of the clutches of the evil foreman. Kurt and Katarina become targets of the mob and are nearly killed. We can also see what could have been a beautiful joining of two people destroyed because she acts with common sense and Kurt is married to the job. Excellent acting and a fine plot.