User Reviews

This episode opens with a blonde young woman riding a moped being pursued by two men. She successfully escapes them, but disappears. In the meantime a man is found dead at a disused quarry, his face shot to pieces by a Shawn-off shotgun. Montalbano (Luca Zingaretti) is called to investigate, and is drawn into a long-standing Mafia feud involving two families. On the face of it, this seems an open-and-shut case, but the Inspector isn't so sure ...

Compared to earlier episodes, EQUAL TIME has a higher murder count; there appear to be tit-for-tat killings, often bloody and invariably surprising. Montalbano is eventually pulled off the case, as he doesn't appear to be getting anywhere; but like the true individual he is, he blatantly ignores his superintendent's recommendation and continues to investigate. This episode gives a bigger role to Catarella (Angelo Russo), normally a figure of fun confined to the station. Here he actually gets out to guard the scene of the crime, and to be actively involved in catching the villain, even though (characteristically) it is pure chance that dictates he is in the right place at the right time.

Alberto Sironi's production makes intelligent use of historic locations: the great steps leading to the Mafiosi's house; the narrow passages through which Eva is pursued; the lonely vista of the disused quarry; and the seafront beyond which the waves are seen crashing into the bay on an early spring morning.

Structurally speaking this is a tightly plotted piece, with fewer loose ends to tie up at the dénouement.

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.

"Equal Time" is another excellent 'Inspector Montalbano' episode, if not quite one of my favourite. Prefer just slightly the poignant and more reflective ones and where one sees a more human side to Montalbano, but really essentially there is not anything wrong as such with "Equal Time", other than that there are occasions where Catarella's actions do happen a little too much by chance.

One always expects 'Inspector Montalbano' to look good. As always with 'Inspector Montalbano', "Equal Time" is beautifully shot and the scenery is stunning (the historic locations here are atmospherically and cleverly used), 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 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.

Writing is tightly structured and taut, with very funny to hilarious humour, nail-biting tension and involving and poignant human drama balanced beautifully. The subtitles are not hard to follow, and the story is very tightly constructed and compelling, for 'Inspector Montalbano' surprisingly brutal with one of the show's highest body counts.

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 the scene-stealing Catarella (hilarious comic relief but more than that). Loved that Catarella is given more to do and is more of a heroic figure than the source of the comedy. The supporting characters intrigue too.

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. . Angelo Russo's comic timing is a refreshing and always perfectly timed joy and Cesare Bocci, Peppino Mazzotta and the supporting cast are strong.

In conclusion, excellent. 9/10 Bethany Cox

Love Peppino Mazzotta in every episode as Fazio. This episode was even more exceptional than usual in settings; the location for the meeting of Mafia bosses was so striking I'm still trying to find where exactly that took place.

I came back from a two-week holiday in Sicily yesterday with an urge to watch an episode of Montalbano, and managed to pick one filmed exactly in the place where I stayed and where I walked over the mountains from Custonaci to San Vito di Capo.