Don Matteo (English subtitled) Season 1 Episode 14 Awaiting Trial
- February 4, 2000
- 56 min
Don Matteo is a gripping drama series, which follows the life of a Catholic priest who is also a detective. Season 1, episode 14, called 'Awaiting Trial,' centers around a case that tests the integrity of both the church and the legal system.
The episode opens with a break-in at a pharmacy in Gubbio, a medieval town in Italy. The store's cash register was emptied and several bottles of prescription drugs were stolen, including painkillers and sedatives. Don Matteo, played by Terence Hill, and his team of assistant detectives soon arrive at the scene to investigate the heist.
As the case unfolds, it becomes apparent that the thief is likely a drug addict themselves. To test this theory, Don Matteo and his team set out to investigate every local pharmacy and drug rehab clinic in the area, hoping to find any potential suspects. In the meantime, the thief continues to steal from other pharmacies in town.
During their investigation, Don Matteo stumbles upon another case that involves an elderly woman who may have been swindled out of her life's savings by a con artist. The woman, named Luisa, had been living with her son, but he had recently moved away. Ever since then, Luisa's life has been turned upside down. She was swindled out of her savings by a scam artist who promised to invest her money in a high-return fund.
As Don Matteo starts to look into the scam, he discovers how much of a financial mess Luisa is in. Her retirement savings are gone, and her only source of income is a small pension. With no hope of getting her money back, Luisa is devastated. Don Matteo, touched by Luisa's plight, begins to investigate her case with a renewed sense of urgency. He visits every financial institution in town and carefully examines all the investment opportunities that the scam artist had offered to the elderly woman.
As Don Matteo and his team get closer to the truth, they discover that the scam artist behind the fraudulent scheme is also working with the thief who has been robbing pharmacies. The thief is actually one of the con artist's drug-addicted customers who is desperately trying to make ends meet. The scam artist had promised to give the thief a cut of his earnings if he agreed to steal prescription drugs for him.
Don Matteo is able to help the authorities arrest the thief and the con artist. They are both taken into custody and are awaiting trial. Meanwhile, Luisa receives the financial assistance she needs to get back on her feet, thanks to the generosity of the church.
'Awaiting Trial' is a fascinating episode that explores several themes, including the devastating effects of drug addiction and financial fraud. The show manages to convey a sense of empathy and compassion for the victims of these crimes without ever devolving into sentimentality. Don Matteo is an inspiring character whose faith gives him a unique perspective on life's challenges. Watching him unravel the mysteries of this episode is a thrilling experience that is sure to leave viewers engaged and inspired.