Some lovely bits; overall not quite as good as the original series. Good points; whoever is in charge of casting has a great eye for male and female beauty. The place still looks gorgeous. Catarella emerges as a young nutter. Not so good; plot a bit dodgy. Anyway, Saturday nights booked for next 5 weeks.

I enjoyed it far more than I thought I would - apparently the plot was cobbled together from a number of short stories, which along with usual "first episode syndrome" probably accounts for the "dodginess", so I'd expect that aspect to improve with later episodes.

And I wholeheartedly agree about the casting - the two young ladies in particular were both absolutely stunning.

As for the young Montalbano himself, this series is set in 1990, and the first episode of the original was made in 1999, so he has 9 years to lose all his hair!

Looking forward to Episode Two and Sicilian sunshine again.

Still not as good as the original but still miles better than most UK TV and lovely to see the present Montalbano and the characters (and places) around him emerging.

Young Fazio made his appearance (I fear for Old Fazio's future!).

It's too close to the "old" Montalbano. Would have been better if they had shown the years before he landed in Sicily. Like the Morse-prequel, Endeavour.