“Police call 110” from Magdeburg
Rivals of the racetrack – this thriller takes place in the betting milieu
Scene from “Polizeiruf 110”: Doreen Brasch (Claudia Michelsen) investigates at the racecourse
© MDR/Stefan Erhard / ARD
A gambling addict is found dead near the racecourse. Was he a spy? The repetition of this “police call 110” from Magdeburg leads to the scene of illegal sports betting.
- 3 out of 5 points
- Attractive setting, somewhat predictable plot: “Polizeiruf 110” from Magdeburg, which is also entertaining as a repeat
What’s the matter?
A young man is found dead near the Herrenkrug racecourse. A case for the homicide squad and Doreen Brasch (Claudia Michelsen). But the LKA is also interested in the case: the 28-year-old was addicted to gambling and served as a spy for the milieu of illegal sports betting. Although the investigations are conducted separately, LKA man Hannes Kehr (Michael Maertens) exchanges information with Brasch and gives her an introduction to the world of sports betting. To get her own picture, the investigator goes to a betting shop herself. This puts her in great danger.
Why is this “police call 110” worthwhile?
The sports betting business has now developed into a gigantic industry. 2018 were in Germany alone 8.8 billion euros deployed. The fact that there is a risk of manipulation given the large amount of money has not only been known since the football betting scandal involving referee Robert Hoyzer. “Dead heat” is dedicated to horse betting – a scene that has rarely been highlighted until now.
What bothers?
As attractive as the setting in which this case takes place is as predictable as the end: Unfortunately, as a viewer, you quickly suspect who the real perpetrator is and what the motives are behind the crime.
The commissioners?
Doreen Brasch suffers from severe back pain, which she tries to cure with horse ointment. This is not without consequences: in the dream she sees herself covered in blood at the racecourse. The next day, the investigator meets the man she saw in the dream. And then they actually lead the investigation to the racecourse. The experienced Brasch is now in danger of losing control.
Turn on or off?
Despite slight weaknesses: This “police call 110” is also worth repeating.
The “Polizeiruf” episode “Dead Race” was first broadcast on February 16, 2020. ARD repeats the case on Friday, January 13 at 10:50 p.m.
Doreen Brasch also investigated these cases: