Ep 23. Angelica's Smile (English subtitled)

Detective Montalbano is an Italian television drama series based on the novels of Andrea Camilleri. Set in the fictional town of Vigata, the show follows the investigations of Salvo Montalbano, a character who is eccentric, intelligent, and always gets to the bottom of things. In this episode, titled "Angelica's Smile," Montalbano finds himself solving a case that involves love, family and arguably the most talented chef in all of Vigata.

The episode begins with Inspector Montalbano meeting with a woman named Angelica Cosulich, who requests his assistance in locating her missing husband. Angelica, wearing a red dress and a wide smile, catches Montalbano's attention from the moment she walks into his office. The woman tells Montalbano that her husband Andrea disappeared without notice, leaving no trace or explanation behind. Angelica says that he had left the house with his motorbike and never returned. Montalbano is immediately interested in the case and agrees to take it on.

But soon, Montalbano finds himself in the middle of something much more complex and layered. Angelica's husband is a chef, and was known in the community as a talented, rising star. But as Montalbano begins to delve deeper into Andrea's life, he realizes that there were issues that nobody had known about. Andrea had taken out a large loan from a wealthy family of Vigata, who had been conned by him in return for a kitchen refurbishment where he was working. The owner complains about the poor work he did, accusing him of fraud and embezzlement. The loan providers, who are now demanding he call in his debt, are putting tremendous pressure on Andrea and his family.

When Andrea's bike is found in the woods, a large manhunt is launched, which doesn't go well. The search leads to the discovery of a second body. Montalbano suspects that the two cases are intertwined. Now, with a new investigation at hand, Montalbano must navigate through a web of secrets, betrayals, and hidden history. Montalbano uses all his skills and experience to untangle the mystery.

Meanwhile, Montalbano's fabled love life takes an unusual turn when he gets vexed at Livia, his long-time girlfriend, who he feels doesn't understand him and his work. There is a hilarious scene where he almost gets caught in a compromising situation with Angelica. He uses his wits to extricate himself from the situation. He then makes peace with Livia and eventually convinces her to come to Vigata so that he can spend some time with her.

The episode is a great mix of intrigue, humor, and tension. The cast is exceptional, particularly Luca Zingaretti as Montalbano, who effortlessly captures the character's wit, intelligence, and charm. The writing is sharp and engaging, with twists and turns that keep the audience on their toes. There is great attention to detail in the production design and cinematography, which makes for a visually stunning viewing experience.

Overall, "Angelica's Smile" is an entertaining and compelling episode that showcases the best of Detective Montalbano. It's a must-watch for fans of the show and anyone who loves a good crime mystery.