Episode cast overview, first billed only: | |||
Peter Haber | ... | Martin Beck | |
Kristofer Hivju | ... | Steinar Hovland | |
Ingvar Hirdwall | ... | Grannen | |
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Rebecka Hemse | ... | Inger |
Måns Nathanaelson | ... | Oskar Bergman | |
Anna Asp | ... | Jenny Bodén | |
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Elmira Arikan | ... | Ayda Çetin |
Jonas Karlsson | ... | Klas Fredén | |
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Jennie Silfverhjelm | ... | Alexandra Beijer |
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Åsa Karlin | ... | Bergström |
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Tommy Wättring | ... | Vilhelm |
Charlotta Jonsson | ... | Tina Sellstedt (credit only) | |
Pia Tjelta | ... | Heidi Hovland | |
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Nicoline Stub | ... | Grete Hovland |
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Alexander Stub | ... | Tristan Hovland |
Simon Lindström, the popular coach of a suburban junior hockey team is found stabbed to death. Does the murder have something to do with his side project: teaching unaccompanied refugee children to ice skate? This undertaking has certainly not been appreciated by everyone in their small, sheltered community. Martin Beck, who has returned in a more senior position, struggles to find a replacement for the temporary head of the group, Steinar Hovland. But the Norwegian is becoming more and more interested in keeping his new role. The question is whether Martin can trust him?
This episode sees the murder of a popular ice hockey coach. The most obvious suspect is a parent who argued with the coach during a training session earlier that evening but others want to blame migrants who also used the facilities and two of whom were the last people to see the man alive. Steinar leads the investigation into the murder while Beck works on finding a permanent leader for the team now he has been promoted. Steinar is initially unenthusiastic about taking the position permanently but is persuaded to apply.
This was a solid enough story with a decent central mystery. With Beck being promoted Steinar takes a more prominent role and at times it seems as if he is being set up to be the protagonist... if that is the case I feel actor Kristofer Hivju has what it takes to lead the series although I'd certainly miss Peter Haber's Beck if he left. The story had some decent twists and while the killer does turn out to have been an early subject it didn't feel too obvious. There are enough suspects and motives to keep one guessing till the final reveal. During the course of the investigation other serious crimes are uncovered. Some good laughs are provided by Beck's neighbour; he is a minor character but the series wouldn't be the same without him. Overall a decent enough episode if not a great one.
These comments are based on watching the episode in Swedish with English subtitles.