“Tatort” repeat from Cologne
Ballauf, Schenk and a dark chapter in GDR history
The Cologne inspectors Freddy Schenk (Dietmar Bär, left) and Max Ballauf (Klaus J. Behrendt) have to investigate the death of pensioner Kathrin Kampe
© WDR/Thomas Kost / ARD
Hanged or hanged? Inspectors Ballauf and Schenk ask themselves this question when they find Kathrin Kampe’s body. In order to clarify the pensioner’s death, the investigators are digging deep into the German-German past.
- 3 out of 5 points
- Solid crime thriller that delves into the German-German past
What’s the matter?
Why is the “crime scene” worth it?
The case “The Death of Others” sheds light on a dark chapter in GDR history. Huge factories producing plastics were located in the chemical triangle around the cities of Halle, Merseburg and Bitterfeld. The Buna works in Schkopau were among the largest. “Plaste and Elaste from Schkopau” was an advertising slogan back then that is probably still familiar to many former GDR citizens. However, another slogan made the rounds in popular parlance: “Bitterfeld, Bitterfeld, where the dirt falls from the sky”. Because the environmental pollution was massive, the cities were often covered in smog, as we know today from pictures from China. Not to mention the adverse working conditions and health problems that the workers were exposed to. There were explosions and accidents, and many still suffer from the long-term damage caused by leaking acids, toxic fumes and mercury poisoning. But in the GDR this was covered up and hushed up.
What bothers?
Overall, the story has little structure. Most events take place in the past, decades ago. So the whole time we’re just explaining, explaining and trying to make connections. It’s hard to keep track of everyone involved and their role in the story. This makes watching tough and tiring at times; there is never really any tension.
The commissioners?
When they arrive at the crime scene, Ballauf and Schenk are still acting as a team. They then part ways and the relationship of trust between the two commissioners is put to the test. While Schenk is forced to remain hostage at the side of hotel manager Bettina Mai, Ballauf initially investigates alone. But then he gets support from KTU employee Natalie Förster (Tinka Fürst). “The two of us don’t know each other particularly well,” Ballauf points out. “We have to work on that,” she counters briskly. Sounds like a new relationship could be brewing.
Turn on or off?
If you like the “Tatort” repeats on Friday, you can tune in, everyone else won’t miss anything.
The “Tatort” episode “The Death of Others” was first broadcast on January 10, 2021. ARD will repeat the case on Friday, September 29, 2023, at 10:20 p.m.