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Montalbano alert

(60 Posts)
gangy5 Sat 19-Aug-17 10:58:16

New series of Montalbano this evening. Have any of you enjoyed the Spanish series that was in this slot? DH and I could only watch one episode at a time as the sub titles needed much concentration - all down to the extremely fast talk. I must admit that this happens with Montalbano as well. I much prefer these types of series to the Scandi noir one's that are so dull and dismal.

Nannylovesshopping Mon 21-Aug-17 12:19:53

welshwife Spanish series is I know who you are

overthehill Fri 25-Aug-17 23:19:56

Just watched it on the recorder. I noticed that Salvo has slowed down considerably since the last series. Before he stròde with purpose but this time he seems a slower quieter character.

BlueBelle Sat 26-Aug-17 07:56:34

I watched it on my iPad and wasn't very impressed as I d not seen it before and have had some good recommendations from all you GNetters but I thought it was a bit banal a bit amateurish .....anyway always worth a try

Welshwife Sat 26-Aug-17 08:06:06

Thank you Nannyshopping I will look out for it.

I thought it had lost a bit but maybe further episodes will get them back on track. Will continue watching and see how it goes.

Mamie Sat 26-Aug-17 08:29:45

I thought it was awful. Tired and rambling plot, no new character development (why don't they do something with the excellent Fazio and what is Mimi for?).
Thought the new Livia was dreadful and found her scenes with Salvo embarrassing to watch.
Sicily looked very pretty.

SparklyGrandma Sat 26-Aug-17 10:08:16

Spanish series awful, thank goodness Salvo Montalbano is back and wond e of wonders, a brand new series.

I love the scenery, the architecture and Luca Zinggaretti in the role...

lemongrove Sat 26-Aug-17 10:54:26

The first episode wasn't good, a bit creaky and over acting from some.Hopefully it will pull together as time goes on and the actors get used to working together again.
Caterella ? Is now just annoying and not endearing.Mimi looks like a stage villain.
I don't think Montalbano good looking at all, but he has a nice reserved personality that is attractive.I think that Fazio is perhaps the best actor in it ( along with Montalbano) as their scenes are the best.
The new Livia is not very mesmerising!

lemongrove Sat 26-Aug-17 10:55:50

Are all Italian women ( and men) simmering sex pots?Or would the people watching just like to think so?

Welshwife Sat 26-Aug-17 11:33:55

I thought some of the outfits Livia wore were awful - the previous actress was much better in the role.

Deedaa Sun 27-Aug-17 21:17:39

I would recommend the books to anyone who hasn't read them. Camilleri goes more deeply into Italian politics that the TV series does.

devongirl Sun 27-Aug-17 21:41:22

I LOVE the books but don't watch the TV series cos I saw a bit of one and Montelbano wasn't at all like I imagined, in fact I thought the whole thing was a bit slapstick, whereas the books are brilliantly written, really funny and great on Italian food! - never did like the sound of Livia personally! I really admire Camilleri's anti-Mafia stance too.

lemongrove Mon 28-Aug-17 10:02:31

There are elements of slapstick, can Catarella ever open a door without a fuss?
Mimi looks really old and tired, perhaps the actor isn't well?
The second programme was better than the first and quite absorbing I found.

devongirl Mon 28-Aug-17 10:04:41

Actually in the books I miss Catarella always slamming the door when he went into Montalbano's office Also there was a Swedish woman (Astrid) who featured in several books, I don't know what happened to her, she just vanished.

MawBroon Mon 28-Aug-17 10:05:37

Was this second one really a "new" series? It was all so familiar, I was sure it was a repeat.
Sadly the characters seemed to have morphed into caricatures of themselves, the women -young and old-are stereotypes and the whole thing is just clunky.
Makes Hamish Macbeth look like CSI , I cannot imagine what I used to see in it sad

Deedaa Tue 29-Aug-17 22:01:18

Devongirl the Swedish girl is Ingrid. I think he probably rations her appearances because there's a limit to how many times they could meet without ending up in bed and that would ruin the entire relationship.

It is a new series MawBroon but I think these are based on short stories so lacking a bit in plot compared with the novels.

devongirl Tue 29-Aug-17 22:26:05

My rubbish memory Deedaa! Still I liked the to-and-fro with Livia who I feel an instinctive dislike of!

Deedaa Wed 30-Aug-17 14:27:12

I think he's really in for trouble if Livia and Adelina have made friends!

devongirl Wed 30-Aug-17 14:45:35

Have they?! in the books Adelina won't come in to work for him because she doesn't like Livia, and M misses out on all her delicious food!

SparklyGrandma Wed 30-Aug-17 17:11:08

Well I have enjoyed both episodes of the new series...I am very glad its back.

A friend has told me that they are reading the new book and that its good.

TriciaF Wed 30-Aug-17 18:11:24

I got my new book in the post today - The Shape of Water. It's supposed to be the first in the series.
If I like it I'll get some more.

TriciaF Wed 30-Aug-17 18:19:24

ps the new series is also showing in France - since August 6th on France3

Deedaa Wed 30-Aug-17 22:32:12

devongirl Livia has a dog, Adelina loves the dog and Salvo has misgivings.

devongirl Thu 31-Aug-17 13:09:16

Deedaa have I missed a book?! I'm sure there hasn't been any sign of a dog in the books I've read! The friend who put me onto Montalbano told me the TV sries has things in it from 'A Month with Montalbano', which has never been published in English, so maybe it's from there?!

Bellanonna Thu 31-Aug-17 21:01:09

The dog is new. It came with the new Livia.

Deedaa Thu 31-Aug-17 22:04:35

I can't find my book of short stories so I don't know if these stories are in it, or if they are ones that haven't been published here.