This is a sad part of the Wallander saga as he battles fits of forgetfulness and even some hallucinations. The episode begins with him being brutalized by a motorcycle gang. While recovering, he has lapses of memory. The beating seems to disguise a more significant problem. Even his doctor doesn't take it as seriously because he is concussed. But as the episode goes on we see him struggling to focus. He slips into reverie. The case involves the pursuit of a young girl who has gone missing after her mother was murdered. The logical group responsible may be the motorcyclists. Kurt slips in and out of focus, as does the camera (a bit of a trite motif). He forgets things and gets confused on the one hand and quickly gathers himself and takes control of situations. Because the girl is terribly frightened, he becomes a threat to her, making his job all the harder. His daughter, Linda, begins to notice he is not himself. Driving becomes a great challenge, particularly in locating places. This episode, done in the Swedish series, is better done. Nevertheless, it is well worth the effort. One criticism is that Kenneth Branagh plays the detective in such a subdued and confused manner, even when he is not having bouts of dementia, that it is a bit hard to differentiate.
Review of A Lesson in Love
