Review of Jokern

Wallander: Jokern (2006)
Season 1, Episode 12
7/10
Death at the beach
22 July 2010
Warning: Spoilers
Carina Olsson, the owner of a beach restaurant, is found dead by her young daughter Cleo. When the police arrive, Linda discovers the frightened little girl hiding in a closet. The police cannot determine the motive for the crime, since on the surface, Ms. Olsson, a single mother, seemed to have found the perfect place in which to set her business.

As the investigation begins, Wallander discovers a connection that tied Carina with a shady man, Hansson, that had made an empire about the many restaurants he owns, and a trial in Malmo, in which Carina was called to testify against him. Thinking this is a case about revenge, his suspicions fall on Hansson. When called to the station, Hansson arrives with his lawyer, Lundkvist, who has been instrumental in saving his client from jail.

Wallander goes to check with his friend, the police chief from Malmo, in search of clues that might help him with the investigation. Wallander is pointed to a local detective, Frank Borg, that worked on the original investigation of Hansson. The only problem is that Borg is a loose cannon that might be too explosive to help with the investigation. As it is, Frank Borg teams up with Stefan Lindman. The two men fall into an easy going relationship.

Frank and Stefan begin surveillance on the home of Malm, a criminal they suspect might have done the actual killing. When they follow Malm into a deserted location, they discover he is meeting Lundkvist, the lawyer, who hands a bag over to the suspect. Borg and Stefan eventually catch up with Malm as he goes into an abandoned warehouse, where Stephan ends up killing him, thinking he was holding a pistol. Frank Borg decides to plant a gun next to the dead man, but since Wallander had told Stefan the way he felt about his recklessness, it becomes clear that Malm was not armed.

Eventually Hansson is brought over a police lineup for Cleo to watch. She recognizes him, but of course, the whole thing is not conclusive as there is no proof Hansson killed Carina, himself. Cleo, becomes the key to solving the mystery of her mother's death when she comes in contact with the real killer at the station house.

According to the credits, this episode was directed by two men, Stephan Apelgren and Anders Engstrom, both connected to the series. The story is credible, keeping the audience involved with the plot twists. Krister Henriksson and Johanna Sallstrom do their usual best as Kurt and Linda. Ola Rapace has some good moments as Stefan. Jakob Eklund is seen as Frank Borg, and Goran Ragnerstam appears Lundkvist.
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