Ep 15. Thou Shalt Not Bear False Witness, Part 1 (Episode 15 of 20)

Don Matteo is a hit Italian television series that follows the adventures of Father Matteo Bondini. He is a Roman Catholic priest who becomes involved in solving crimes and bringing justice to the small town of Gubbio, Umbria. The show’s 12th season and the 15th episode, titled “Thou Shalt Not Bear False Witness, Part 1,” continues in this vein, as Father Matteo and his team search for answers in a case involving a missing witness.

As the episode opens, Don Matteo (Terence Hill) is approached by a young man named Luca (Nicola Fiorillo) who is terrified and reveals that he has witnessed a terrible crime. Luca has seen a group of men burying a coffin at night, and is convinced that they have murdered someone. The only problem is that Luca has disappeared before he can give a statement to the police.

Don Matteo tries to comfort the boy, but before he can do much, one of the men Luca saw burying the coffin arrives at the rectory. The man, Gabriele (Roberto Accornero), is a high profile and intimidating lawyer. Matteo tries to get information out of Gabriele, but the lawyer is both evasive and confrontational. He denies knowing anything about the incident.

Meanwhile, Inspector Nardi (Nino Frassica) and his team are investigating the disappearance of Luca. They find evidence that he was last seen at a local nightclub, so Nardi sends Deputy Cecchini (Flavio Insinna) to investigate. At the nightclub, Cecchini finds a witness who saw Luca leave with some men on the night he disappeared.

Nardi and Cecchini dig deeper and discover that Luca was not an ordinary boy, but was in fact, a witness in a high profile case against some members of the local chamber of commerce. The trial was due to start soon, and Luca’s testimony was expected to be key in getting a conviction. Sensing the gravity of the situation, Nardi is convinced that Luca’s disappearance is no longer a coincidence, but a clear attempt to tamper with the legal proceedings.

Back at the rectory, Don Matteo is visited by the mother of the missing boy who is in tears. Don Matteo comforts her, he listens to her story and tries to give her hope by narrating to her the story of Joseph, from the Bible. He explains how Joseph went to prison in Egypt and how God helped him through it, eventually leading him to become Pharaoh’s chief advisor. This story seems to give the mother some comfort, although she remains traumatized by the incident.

As the episode progresses, more players are introduced into the story, making it difficult to determine who is telling the truth and what their involvement may be in the boy’s disappearance. Don Matteo and his team are dedicated to finding Luca and bringing whoever is responsible for his disappearance to justice.

“Thou Shalt Not Bear False Witness, Part 1” is a fast-paced and thrilling episode of Don Matteo. With interesting twists and turns, it keeps the viewer engaged in the storyline from start to finish. The acting is superb, with the lead actors bringing depth and nuance to their characters while the scenic backdrop of Gubbio, Umbria, adds to the authenticity of the drama. The ending of the episode sets off a mystery that leaves the viewer in suspense and eager to watch the next episode.