Ep 25. The Christmas Child - Part 1 (Episode 25 of 26)

Don Matteo is a popular Italian crime drama series that follows the story of a Roman Catholic priest and amateur detective, Don Matteo (played by Terence Hill), who helps the local police solve crimes in his small town of Gubbio in Umbria, Italy. The show is known for its light and humorous tone, as well as its beautiful setting and colorful cast of characters.

Season 11 of the show arrives with a bang by bringing back the infamous Father Giovanni, who had left the town years prior after a decision was made by the Vatican. Alongside this captivating plot point, the show also follows the other main characters as they go about their daily lives and solving various crimes that come across their paths.

The Christmas Child - Part 1 is the twenty-fifth episode of Season 11 and is the first part of a special two-parter Christmas episode. The episode begins with Don Matteo and his friend and fellow priest Friar Angelo getting ready for Christmas in Gubbio. As they are walking through the town square, they come across an old acquaintance, Paolo, who they discover has become homeless and is barely surviving on the streets. Don Matteo and Friar Angelo decide to take Paolo in and give him a warm place to stay for Christmas.

Meanwhile, a young couple, Sara and Andrea, arrive in Gubbio with their newborn baby. They are visiting Andrea's family for the holidays, but when they go to pick up the rental car, they find that their baby has been left behind in the rental car office. Panicked, they go to the police station to report their missing child and the case falls into the hands of Don Matteo and his colleagues.

As the investigation begins, the team discovers that the rental car office is owned by a wealthy and powerful man, Franco. They suspect that he might be involved in the baby's disappearance, but Don Matteo is hesitant to jump to conclusions. With the clock ticking and Christmas approaching, the team races against time to find the missing child and bring him back to his parents before it's too late.

Throughout the episode, we see Don Matteo's compassion and kindness towards the homeless Paolo and his unwavering determination to find the missing baby. Friar Angelo, too, plays an important role in the episode as he becomes a surrogate father figure to Paolo and supports Don Matteo in his investigation.

Overall, The Christmas Child - Part 1 is a heartwarming and emotional episode that showcases the best of Don Matteo and his colleagues as they work together to solve a case and help those in need during the festive season. The stunning Italian backdrop and charming characters make for a delightful viewing experience, and the cliffhanger at the end of the episode leaves viewers eagerly anticipating the second and final part of the Christmas special.