There have been many seasons and episodes of LA PIOVRA made in years. It seems that none of the sequels did equal the very charm and magnificence of the first season directed by Damiano Damiani, season 5 also has something to offer to viewers.
Obviously, there is no character of Commissario Cattani (Michele Placido) because he was killed in the last episode of the previous season. His death had been, naturally, predictable and any viewer knew that sooner or later that would take place. However, many viewers perhaps thought that the sequel would not make much sense without him. One cannot be further from the truth, though...
The events herein depicted nicely correspond to the finale of season 4. Sylvia Conti (Partricia Millardet) investigates the matter of Cattani's murder and she does so with truly adequate determination and the power of will. Ms Millardet portrays the character with undeniable skill and impressive conviction. Meanwhile, a sort of "successor" to Comissario Cattani appears to be Davide Licata (played by Vittorio Mezzogiorno). He is a new Cattani and a new struggler for some justice in the corrupt society and their relations. They are together now against all the evil and bribery. Who stands as their greatest enemy?
I often state that Luigi Perelli who took up the direction of LA PIOVRA later really hit the note of what the title octopus really is. You seem to catch the very glimpse of the corrupt world and try to figure out of who is who and later, you realize that you were wrong. There is still someone higher, someone more responsible for the wretchedness and the true corruption of the world, the very illegal acts that aim at indefatigable profit, profit by all means and the evil genius of the worst among the worst ones. We have the Il Puppone (played by Marcello Tusco) and his daughter whom he wants to protect. When the action moves to New York, then we see how far the octopus's impact had gone. Il Puppone seems to realize that his deeds were wicked and yet, psychologically speaking, he appears to be torn apart in his world. There is indeed, someone higher than him, that is Antonio Espinosa (Bruno Cremer), a great conneseur of art, the great lover of his dolls that symbolize basic human feelings and emotions, the very core of the wretchedness in white gloves. What a performance! I think that this is the major force, the power that stands behind the decisions and actions of the lower ones, even the ones in the governments that may only think that they make free decisions....isn't that the case of today's world? The real power is hidden, pushed into the background of the perceptions of the little ones, the embodiment of which is Tano Cariddi (played magnificently by Remo Girone), the real villain of the story.
In the foreground, we have the victims, both good and bad. We have the Linor family where, clearly, not only the ones who did something wrong pay for that. Also the most innocent members of their family suffer a lot. Just or unjust? Perhaps you have the right to ask such a question but who really cares? There is Stefano (played by Stefano Dionisi later known for his role as Farinelli), Davide's son who also pays his price for the world he had been brought into. There is Tano's sister Maria, kept in isolation and a recluse who appears to be totally ignorant of the world around her and yet, ready to grasp its beauties...a victim, a 'noone' for the most powerful ones who displays her contribution to the story in an unpredictable way...
Not to spoil much, I will say this: it is a very interesting season, a must see for LA PIOVRA fans, which has occured to be as a true surprise.
