Ep 1. Sidetracked

In the first episode of Wallander, entitled Sidetracked, we are introduced to Kurt Wallander, a police detective in the small town of Ystad, Sweden. Wallander is portrayed as a troubled man, struggling to come to terms with his recent divorce and the death of his father, who was also a police officer.

The episode opens with an ominous scene, as a young girl is seen fleeing through the woods, clearly terrified and pursued by an unseen assailant. When her body is discovered soon after, Wallander is called in to investigate. He quickly discovers that the girl, a local museum employee, was brutally murdered and sexually assaulted.

As Wallander begins to delve deeper into the case, he is confronted with a number of mysteries and dead ends. The girl's boyfriend, a quiet artist named Stefan, seems to have an alibi, but Wallander remains suspicious of him. A local businessman with a shady past also becomes a prime suspect, but again, no concrete evidence can be found.

The investigation takes a terrifying turn when another young girl goes missing, and Wallander begins to suspect that there may be a serial killer at large. Along the way, Wallander is forced to confront some uncomfortable truths about the town he serves and the people he thought he knew.

The acting in Wallander is top-notch, with Kenneth Branagh giving a nuanced and powerful performance as the troubled detective. The supporting cast is equally strong, including Sarah Smart as Wallander's loyal colleague, Anne-Britt Hoglund, and David Warner as Wallander's mentor and friend, Povel Wallander. The scenery, too, is breathtaking, with the rugged coastal landscapes of southern Sweden providing a stark backdrop to the story.

Overall, the first episode of Wallander is a tense and engrossing thriller that will keep viewers on the edge of their seats. With its complex characters, intricate plot, and stunning visuals, it is no wonder that this series has been hailed as one of the best crime dramas of recent years. Whether you are a fan of gritty police procedurals or just looking for a gripping and atmospheric mystery, Wallander is definitely a show worth checking out.