Wallander 13 - The Secret (2006)

The first season finale deals with the ugliest of crimes, child abuse and rape. A boy has found after being sexually assaulted, his head beaten. But before this we see another slight young man being abused by an unseen rapist. This is shown in black and white flashback. Because Stefan knows the father of the first boy mentioned, he goes to tell him. What ensues are cover ups and the realization that a much decorated retired policeman has been finding child molesters. The problem is that there are a whole bunch of questions. We know quite shortly in the episode that Stefan was victimized himself, but has not told anyone. Linda is worried about him; she knows what a pile of TNT he is sitting on. Kurt is directed toward the case and is frustrated with Stefan's vacillation. He is also worried his volatility will compromise the case. Unfortunately, he knows nothing of Stefan's past. This leads to a total surprise ending. I think this is the best, but saddest, episode.

Having watched the whole Season 1 almost in succession (however, after Season 2), I am happy to admit that the general impression obtained is good and recommended. In spite of the fact that the plots are not equally even or interesting. Sometimes the criminal is revealed (or can be guessed) too soon/easily, and race with time is not always catchy to follow when you know the guilty person and his or her motives. To some extent, it depends on the topics and the number of twists; to me, for example, secrets from the past are more interesting than plain money lust or modern crime. But the last episode is among the best ones.I definitely like Swedish Wallander-series more than the British one as it is more ensemble here; in the UK, Kenneth Branagh sticks too much out from his co-actors and his character is more a kind of loner.

This episode was shown on English BBCTV last night Oct 30th 2010. It was an amazing and tense episode. I felt all the angst. Many have probably seen this episode but it was the first time for me. Those who know, will understand when I say I was devastated by the conclusion. I still have a lump in my throat. I first watched the English version of Wallander which was OK! However, when I thought to try the Swedish version, I have never looked back, sub titles have never bothered me. Krister Henricksson is marvellous. What an actor! All the main characters are wonderful and I care about each and everyone of them. When I care about a character, it is a measure to me, of how I grow to love the series. I am captured. The Swedish landscape is wonderful and austere, sometimes even eerie. I love it. The production is second to none with superb acting, so I think directing too! Wallander I think is a tortured soul but does not wear his heart on his sleeve and is neither a martyr to this. For me Sweden IS Wallander. I hope that BBCTV will continue with this series. This is worth the TV licence alone! Roll on next Saturday, when I can prepare for the next troubled and angst ridden episode! By the way, I am 63 myself but I am able to appreciate the slightly unkempt gorgeousness, of Ole Rapace.

As the first series of the excellent Swedish series draws to a close things aren't going to well for the Ystad police; following an accusation of an assault in the previous case Stefan is under investigation, and soon finds himself suspended... but not before he has to an inform a fellow member of the local shooting club that his son has been abused and murdered. The prime suspect is a man who was seen picking the boy up at a local supermarket but a search of his house suggests no crime took place there. A neighbour, who used to be a policeman tells them that the suspect has a Summer house but when they get there they find their suspect has been shot dead. It seems like this is the end of the case but something isn't quite right; there is no evidence that the boy was ever there, there are no incriminating photographs and it looks like somebody with knowledge of police procedures has cleaned up the crime scene.When Linda Wallander looks into similar cases of child murder she finds that the neighbour had arrested somebody for killing a child using the same modus operandi several years before, this person couldn't have done it though as he is in prison. Things are further complicated when Stefan turns up at Linda's house and she sees that he has an injury which appears to be a bullet wound.This fine ending to the first series is tinged with sadness as the actress Johanna Sällström who did such a great job as police officer Linda Wallander took her life a few months after the series ended, Wallander won't be the same without her. The rest of the cast did a good job too, especially Ola Rapace who put in a great performance as Stefan as events in his childhood return to haunt him. Having enjoyed this series I hope the BBC will air the second series at some point.