Jessica points the remote at her smart TV and jabs a button. “Don’t bother watching this movie; after the initial thrill, the ending will disappoint you.” She is lying on the sofa in her living room and the aroma of a heavy mantrap perfume is invading my nostrils. “The twist is silly, or illogical, or corny, if there’s a more accurate word.”
Crumpled in a chair, I flick my gaze at the smart TV and see a still of 13 Commandments. “Oh, why?” I cock my head and cross my legs at the ankles.
“This Belgian series is about a serial killer who calls himself Moses. After killing someone who has sinned, he leaves a message from one of the Ten Commandments at the crime scene. Moses also sends emails and photos to the press. Peter Devriendt, a cop approaching retirement, is assigned to investigate the case. He is assisted by Vicky Degraeve. Subplots concern the separate personal problems of Peter and Vicky.” Jessica quirks the corner of her lips in a near sneer. “There’re holes in the plot so big that a truck can drive through them! There’re also far-fetched scenes. For instance, Moses can slip into a university’s auditorium to write a threat on a blackboard. He can slip into a hospital to kill a patient by contaminating his drip with a lethal drug. He can operate a front-loader tractor to scoop rocks to drop on a tied victim’s legs. He has access to a surgical drug which he uses to sedate his victims through injections. How did he get the drug?" Jessica props herself up on one arm, her eyes narrowing on my face.
She adds, “One suspect after another is questioned. Later episodes introduce Jacob Moreels, the leader of a religious sect. A fanatic, Jacob speaks favourably of Moses to the press. After being investigated, Jacob becomes a suspect and is interrogated. Because of lack of evidence, Jacob is released. Later, the killer lures Jacob to the boat—where Vicky is held captive—plants evidence and before shooting him, tricks Jacob into holding a pistol to catch his fingerprints. So, who's the serial killer? Peter Devriendt, the cop himself! And he visits prostitutes frequently! How ironical!" A little-girl giggle erupts from Jessica's lips. "Peter later claims he followed Jacob to the boat and shot in self-defence, and is hailed as a hero. In the final episode, Vicky senses something amiss and investigates on her own. Peter and Vicky confront each other in a country house and Vicky kills him. Yeah, sirens wail and the uniforms arrive.”
My jaw has dropped earlier and I close it and say, “What a bummer of an ending.”
/end
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