Ep 9. Doctored Evidence

The episode Doctored Evidence is the ninth installment in the first season of Donna Leon's Commissario Guido Brunetti Mysteries. In this episode, we see the brilliant detective Guido Brunetti, played by Karl Fischer, tackle a case that hits a little too close to home.

The episode starts with the discovery of a dead body floating in the Venetian lagoon. The victim is identified as Sergio Malfatti, a man who had been in a car accident a few days before. Brunetti and his team start investigating the case and soon find out that Malfatti's car was deliberately tampered with, leading to the accident.

As the investigation progresses, it becomes clear that Malfatti was not just an ordinary citizen. He was a doctor who had been at the center of a medical malpractice lawsuit, accused of euthanizing one of his patients. Brunetti and his team suspect that Malfatti's death might be linked to this lawsuit, but they struggle to find concrete evidence.

Things take an unexpected turn when one of Brunetti's colleagues, Patta, receives an anonymous tip-off, suggesting that Brunetti's wife Paola might be involved in the case. Paola is a respected university professor and a vocal critic of the government's policies, but the source claims that she might have used her connections to influence the lawsuit against Malfatti.

Distraught and angry, Brunetti confronts his wife, who denies any involvement in the case. However, Brunetti starts to wonder if there might be some truth to the allegations. He starts digging deeper into Paola's past and discovers some shocking truths that shake him to the core.

In the meantime, Brunetti's investigation leads him to a mysterious woman named Maria, who seems to have some connection to Malfatti's death. Maria proves to be a challenging and elusive suspect, but Brunetti refuses to give up. As the pieces of the puzzle start falling into place, he realizes that the case is far more complicated than he had anticipated, and that the truth might be more difficult to uncover than he had thought.

The episode, Doctored Evidence, is a testament to Donna Leon's genius as a crime fiction author. The plot is cleverly crafted and keeps the viewers on the edge of their seats till the very end. The characters are complex and well-developed, with realistic flaws and motivations that add depth and nuance to the story.

Karl Fischer delivers a stellar performance as Guido Brunetti, portraying the character's conflicted emotions and his unyielding determination with great conviction. The supporting cast is equally impressive, with actors such as Annett Renneberg and Paolo Malco delivering poignant performances that add emotional resonance to the plot.

Overall, Doctored Evidence is a gripping episode that showcases Donna Leon's talent for crafting engaging and intelligent crime fiction. It is a must-watch for fans of the genre and for anyone who appreciates good storytelling.