Ep 1. Before the Frost

Before the Frost is the first episode of season one of Henning Mankell's Wallander. The show is a detective drama that follows the life of Kurt Wallander, a detective working for the police in Ystad, Sweden. Wallander is played by British actor Kenneth Branagh.

In Before the Frost, Wallander is investigating a bizarre case involving a missing person. The person in question is Wallander's daughter, Linda, who has been missing for several days. Wallander is initially convinced that Linda has left home to start a new life, as she has been struggling with alcoholism and depression for some time.

However, as Wallander delves deeper into the case, he begins to suspect that Linda's disappearance may be linked to a sinister cult operating in the area. The cult is called the Church of the Pure Life, and it is a fundamentalist Christian group that believes in strict codes of behavior and the purification of the soul.

As Wallander investigates the Church of the Pure Life, he begins to uncover a web of lies and deceit. He discovers that the cult is involved in illegal activities, including drug trafficking, prostitution, and money laundering. Wallander also learns that the cult's leader, Johannes Ekholm, has a personal connection to Linda, which may explain her disappearance.

Throughout the episode, Wallander wrestles with the personal and professional implications of his investigation. He is haunted by his own failures as a father and struggles to maintain a professional distance from the case as his emotions run high.

The episode also introduces us to some of the other key characters in Wallander's life, including his father, Povel, his colleague Martinsson, and his old friend and lover, Anette Brolin. These characters add depth and complexity to the show, and they help to flesh out Wallander's character as a flawed but dedicated detective.

One of the strengths of the show is the way it balances the personal and professional aspects of Wallander's life. As Wallander searches for his daughter, he is forced to confront his own shortcomings as a parent and as a person. At the same time, he must maintain his professionalism and focus on solving the case. This creates a tension and complexity that makes the show compelling to watch.

Before the Frost is a tense and gripping first episode that sets the tone for the rest of the series. It introduces us to the world of Wallander and gives us a glimpse into the challenges and complexities of his life as a detective. The show is masterfully acted and beautifully filmed, with stunning landscapes and atmospheric lighting that add to the overall sense of tension and unease.

Overall, Henning Mankell's Wallander is a must-watch for fans of detective dramas and anyone who enjoys great storytelling. It is a show that will keep you on the edge of your seat and leave you craving more. If you haven't seen Before the Frost yet, do yourself a favor and give it a watch. You won't be disappointed.