It seems that both in life and on screen, it is easy to theorize and fight against evil bravely unless you are directly influenced by your action and are bound to endure its consequences. That appears to be exactly what happens to Corrado Cattani in this episode. Along with its engrossing plot and hauntingly atmospheric music by Riz Ortolani (Ennio Morricone wrote music for all seasons except for the first one), the episode develops a pretty psychological and dramatic insight into the moment in the characters' lives.
All he has to face here is fight to retain faithful to his work, loyal to his colleagues, indefatigable in his fight and caring to his closest ones, mainly his daughter. Paola is kidnapped and Corrado knows that if he tells a word to anyone, she will be killed. Therefore, everyone around sees that something is wrong, something has happened, yet, noone is able to push him to tell the truth. He is tormented inside of himself and alone with himself. That brilliantly depicts the nature of his work, of his fight: although there are some people around him who wish him well perhaps, he is totally alone. Yes, on the verge of insanity so powerfully depicted in the restaurant scene where he shouts to the mute and heartless bandit: I will kill myself. These torments are memorable in the scene when Corrado goes to priest Mafredi to confession: he says that either he fights on and realizes that his daughter will be sentences to death by that or he gives up a fight, becomes disloyal to his work and saves her life. These torments are also visible in his relation with Titti whom he starts to meet secretly and his phone calls to his wife in Milan who constantly wants to talk to Paola and yet, she cannot because, as he says, Paola is with her friends by the sea...
In the meantime, Sante Cirinna (Angelo Infanti) is set free from prison due to alleged weak health condition and placed in a clinic. There, Commissario faces total humiliation when a bandit who openly committed a crime and who is undeniably guilty of many wretched deeds laughs into his face, celebrates with his fellow friends, his mummy and spits on law. Titti hates him more and more as she sees the root for all evil in her life brought on by him but it seems it is too late to free herself from that wicked guy. The wicked guy who has his supporters, indeed. The scene of Corrado-Cirinna talk filled with irony, sarcasm and sheer fraudulence is truly one of the best ones of the episode.
Corrado-Titti relationship faces difficulties and yet, in a truly psychological moment, they meet at the table in her mansion. He tells her that Cirinna cannot find out that he knows who had killed her mother and Marineo and in a brief moment, she asks Corrado if he loves her...he says, of course he does and mind you her reaction: then I can move the mountains. This shows the reason for her addiction and the rather confusing life: this tremendous search to be loved. All the money does not mean anything in that context of her life's seeking.
In the background, the great ones appear: always calm and as if ready to answer all sorts of questions. Ironically, the ones who fight for the truth...what kind of truth, one could ask. The accept the invitation to the local television led by Nanni Santamaria (the aforementioned lover of Corrado's wife) and they say how innocent they are in the mafia reality of the island, how outrageous those actions might be and how seperated from their lives. These are, of couse, avvocado Terrasini and banker Ravanusa, the two rich villains of the first season. Meanwhile, Olga Camastra is hard to figure out: she seems to take Corrado's side at certain moments, yet, due to her social position and some secret relations, she cannot reveal that. Consider the scene they meet in the streets of Trapani (Olga and Corrado).
Paola is alive and Paola meets her dad, yet, noone knows what the wretched minds of the people who do not know conscience, justice nor law come up with. In the sad moment, filmed in the dark, father meets his daughter, noone guilty of any crime but seeking justice, and so much suffering. To the worse for Corrado come two false witnesses who claim that the commissar used the gun in order to kill Cirinna and his friend that night in the street. At the same time, a new employee steals the documents from the shelf in Corrado's office. The judge Bordonaro begins to doubt Mr Cattani's true intentions...
Yes, it seems that everything and everybody appear to be against him. This is the bite of the octopus, the first such bite... something our protagonist is bound to face. Highly recommended episode to be watched with careful attention for details.
All he has to face here is fight to retain faithful to his work, loyal to his colleagues, indefatigable in his fight and caring to his closest ones, mainly his daughter. Paola is kidnapped and Corrado knows that if he tells a word to anyone, she will be killed. Therefore, everyone around sees that something is wrong, something has happened, yet, noone is able to push him to tell the truth. He is tormented inside of himself and alone with himself. That brilliantly depicts the nature of his work, of his fight: although there are some people around him who wish him well perhaps, he is totally alone. Yes, on the verge of insanity so powerfully depicted in the restaurant scene where he shouts to the mute and heartless bandit: I will kill myself. These torments are memorable in the scene when Corrado goes to priest Mafredi to confession: he says that either he fights on and realizes that his daughter will be sentences to death by that or he gives up a fight, becomes disloyal to his work and saves her life. These torments are also visible in his relation with Titti whom he starts to meet secretly and his phone calls to his wife in Milan who constantly wants to talk to Paola and yet, she cannot because, as he says, Paola is with her friends by the sea...
In the meantime, Sante Cirinna (Angelo Infanti) is set free from prison due to alleged weak health condition and placed in a clinic. There, Commissario faces total humiliation when a bandit who openly committed a crime and who is undeniably guilty of many wretched deeds laughs into his face, celebrates with his fellow friends, his mummy and spits on law. Titti hates him more and more as she sees the root for all evil in her life brought on by him but it seems it is too late to free herself from that wicked guy. The wicked guy who has his supporters, indeed. The scene of Corrado-Cirinna talk filled with irony, sarcasm and sheer fraudulence is truly one of the best ones of the episode.
Corrado-Titti relationship faces difficulties and yet, in a truly psychological moment, they meet at the table in her mansion. He tells her that Cirinna cannot find out that he knows who had killed her mother and Marineo and in a brief moment, she asks Corrado if he loves her...he says, of course he does and mind you her reaction: then I can move the mountains. This shows the reason for her addiction and the rather confusing life: this tremendous search to be loved. All the money does not mean anything in that context of her life's seeking.
In the background, the great ones appear: always calm and as if ready to answer all sorts of questions. Ironically, the ones who fight for the truth...what kind of truth, one could ask. The accept the invitation to the local television led by Nanni Santamaria (the aforementioned lover of Corrado's wife) and they say how innocent they are in the mafia reality of the island, how outrageous those actions might be and how seperated from their lives. These are, of couse, avvocado Terrasini and banker Ravanusa, the two rich villains of the first season. Meanwhile, Olga Camastra is hard to figure out: she seems to take Corrado's side at certain moments, yet, due to her social position and some secret relations, she cannot reveal that. Consider the scene they meet in the streets of Trapani (Olga and Corrado).
Paola is alive and Paola meets her dad, yet, noone knows what the wretched minds of the people who do not know conscience, justice nor law come up with. In the sad moment, filmed in the dark, father meets his daughter, noone guilty of any crime but seeking justice, and so much suffering. To the worse for Corrado come two false witnesses who claim that the commissar used the gun in order to kill Cirinna and his friend that night in the street. At the same time, a new employee steals the documents from the shelf in Corrado's office. The judge Bordonaro begins to doubt Mr Cattani's true intentions...
Yes, it seems that everything and everybody appear to be against him. This is the bite of the octopus, the first such bite... something our protagonist is bound to face. Highly recommended episode to be watched with careful attention for details.
