The first season finale deals with the ugliest of crimes, child abuse and rape. A boy has found after being sexually assaulted, his head beaten. But before this we see another slight young man being abused by an unseen rapist. This is shown in black and white flashback. Because Stefan knows the father of the first boy mentioned, he goes to tell him. What ensues are cover ups and the realization that a much decorated retired policeman has been finding child molesters. The problem is that there are a whole bunch of questions. We know quite shortly in the episode that Stefan was victimized himself, but has not told anyone. Linda is worried about him; she knows what a pile of TNT he is sitting on. Kurt is directed toward the case and is frustrated with Stefan's vacillation. He is also worried his volatility will compromise the case. Unfortunately, he knows nothing of Stefan's past. This leads to a total surprise ending. I think this is the best, but saddest, episode.

This episode was shown on English BBCTV last night Oct 30th 2010. It was an amazing and tense episode. I felt all the angst. Many have probably seen this episode but it was the first time for me. Those who know, will understand when I say I was devastated by the conclusion. I still have a lump in my throat. I first watched the English version of Wallander which was OK! However, when I thought to try the Swedish version, I have never looked back, sub titles have never bothered me. Krister Henricksson is marvellous. What an actor! All the main characters are wonderful and I care about each and everyone of them. When I care about a character, it is a measure to me, of how I grow to love the series. I am captured. The Swedish landscape is wonderful and austere, sometimes even eerie. I love it. The production is second to none with superb acting, so I think directing too! Wallander I think is a tortured soul but does not wear his heart on his sleeve and is neither a martyr to this. For me Sweden IS Wallander. I hope that BBCTV will continue with this series. This is worth the TV licence alone! Roll on next Saturday, when I can prepare for the next troubled and angst ridden episode! By the way, I am 63 myself but I am able to appreciate the slightly unkempt gorgeousness, of Ole Rapace.

As the first series of the excellent Swedish series draws to a close things aren't going to well for the Ystad police; following an accusation of an assault in the previous case Stefan is under investigation, and soon finds himself suspended... but not before he has to an inform a fellow member of the local shooting club that his son has been abused and murdered. The prime suspect is a man who was seen picking the boy up at a local supermarket but a search of his house suggests no crime took place there. A neighbour, who used to be a policeman tells them that the suspect has a Summer house but when they get there they find their suspect has been shot dead. It seems like this is the end of the case but something isn't quite right; there is no evidence that the boy was ever there, there are no incriminating photographs and it looks like somebody with knowledge of police procedures has cleaned up the crime scene.When Linda Wallander looks into similar cases of child murder she finds that the neighbour had arrested somebody for killing a child using the same modus operandi several years before, this person couldn't have done it though as he is in prison. Things are further complicated when Stefan turns up at Linda's house and she sees that he has an injury which appears to be a bullet wound.This fine ending to the first series is tinged with sadness as the actress Johanna Sällström who did such a great job as police officer Linda Wallander took her life a few months after the series ended, Wallander won't be the same without her. The rest of the cast did a good job too, especially Ola Rapace who put in a great performance as Stefan as events in his childhood return to haunt him. Having enjoyed this series I hope the BBC will air the second series at some point.

PLOT Eleven year old Johannes is found dead in a crevice. The postmortem shows that the boy has been sexually abused and beaten to death. Detectiv Stefan Lindman is a member of the same shooting club as the victims father and they are also friends. Therefore he becomes the one that has to tell the father what has happened to his son (Johannes). When the father finally understands what has happened he demands that Stefan personally gets the one responsible. Stefan is since a previous case being accused for abuse, because the internal investigation Stefan has to go on paid vacation, and he is not allowed to continue his investigation. But because of personal issues he continues the investigation anyway. He has a dark secret, a secret that has the answer to why he came to Ysta in the first place.Personal thoughts This is by far the best Wallander-movie so far. It's probably the best Swedish movie I've ever seen.