In the first scene of Episode 2 of Season 3 of The Law According to Lidia Poët, Prosecutor Cantamessa questions Grazia Fontana, who has bruises on her body. He wants proof of past domestic abuse, so Grazia brings up Dr. Tullio Munari from Genoa. Still, Cantamessa quickly comes to the conclusion that she killed her husband in cold blood. His stance spreads to the press, and newspapers soon echo his narrative.
At the same time, Lidia steps in when Mila tries to follow Grazia, showing that the child only wanted her parents to get back together. This suggests that Mila may have called her dad to Turin. A soldier arrests painter Luigi Castel that same night after he is caught dragging a dead body.
Deputy Zanardelli tells Enrico to stay out of Grazia’s case because it would be a conflict of interest. Instead, he tells him to defend Castel, who is a friend of his. This choice makes Lidia angry. Consuelo, angry that the media doesn’t pay attention to Grazia’s status as a victim, tells Jacopo to look into it more, starting with an interview with the doctor.
Lidia tells Fourneau to take charge of Grazia’s prosecution because she thinks it’s better to face an unknown enemy. Judge Davanzati, on the other hand, doesn’t like Fourneau’s relationship with Lidia and criticizes their connection. Fourneau tells them not to be seen together, which only makes Lidia more angry.
Cantamessa tells Enrico and Lidia about Castel’s case, still assuming that the accused is guilty. Elio Storti, Castel’s lover, was shot in the back, and blood splattered on a painting. Cantamessa says that Castel set up the crime scene, which included a broken window.
Lidia tries to get Enrico to take Grazia’s case by helping with Castel’s defense. Castel says he loved Elio but was afraid to tell the police about the murder because he thought they would think he did it. He says he found the body after dark and spent Easter with Elisabetta Ferri, who works for Count Belloni.
In another place, Teresa takes care of Mila, and Jacopo moves back in to better cover the case, which annoys Enrico.
Lidia and Jacopo find Dr. Munari, who says that Grazia had injuries both new and old, including a broken wrist. At first, he doesn’t want to testify, but he agrees after Lidia tells him he hasn’t done anything. Jacopo praises Lidia’s ability to persuade people outside, but she doesn’t accept the compliment and shows that she is more upset with Enrico.
Later, Lidia tells Fourneau how bad she feels about Grazia’s situation. But he tells her that anything she says could be used against her in court, which makes her feel alone.
Their search leads them to Elisabetta, who is angry with Castel. She says he left her after getting her pregnant and only came to see her on Easter to say he wouldn’t pay for anything. His alibi has a big hole in it because he was only there for a short time.
Enrico knows that Lidia is trying to get him to do something, so he says he has his own lead: a woman he doesn’t know who sent Elio disturbing letters. At the same time, Lieutenant Pietro Fontana shows up to arrest Mila, blaming Lidia for the tragedy that is happening. Later, Grazia tells someone that Pietro is just as abusive as his brother.
Lidia thinks back on her talks with Grazia about their futures, which shows how personal the case is for her.
Following the letters, Lidia and Jacopo come face to face with a countess who admits to writing them. She says that Elio was a forger who made fake paintings in a studio she gave him. She knew he was lying, but she still loved him.
With this information, Lidia pushes Enrico to defend Grazia. In exchange, she tells her theory: Castel hired Elio to paint for him because he couldn’t do it because his hands shook. He made up a romantic relationship to protect his reputation, and the killer may have thought Elio was Castel.
Castel won’t tell the truth when he’s asked, even if it means lying about it to protect his reputation.
Fourneau writes an article in support of Grazia, which changes some people’s minds. Enrico later tells Grazia that forensic evidence backs up the claims of abuse and that Dr. Munari will testify. He does, however, warn her that an all-male jury might still find her guilty, so she should be ready for the worst.
Lidia and Enrico’s problems come to a head when they talk about their fears and reasons for doing things. Even though they don’t agree on everything, they have a moment of emotional reconciliation because they both want to win the case.
At the end of the episode, Fourneau says that Grazia will be charged with voluntary homicide, which is worse because it was planned. A telegram she sent two days before the murder asking to meet with Fontana is one piece of evidence.
Look over
This episode is a big change in tone, showing a more emotional and open side of Lidia Poët. The darker story gives her character more depth, moving away from the lighter, more fun tone of earlier seasons. The show takes a chance by making its main character more human, showing her as flawed but still relatable. The risk mostly pays off.
The episode does have some problems, though. The main mystery starts to feel a little forced, especially when important connections seem to be missed. It’s hard to believe that Lidia, who is very observant, would miss the connection between Mila’s comment and the telegram.
In general, this chapter has great character development and more drama, even though the logic of the investigation doesn’t always work.
