The “crime scene” today comes from Hamburg. In order to solve the disappearance of her friend, Inspector Grosz infiltrates her left-wing community. Falke deals with a series of arson attacks on police officers. Are both connected?
What is the “Tatort Today” about?
A police officer’s wife is critically injured in an arson attack. The case fits into a series of politically motivated acts of violence that are believed to be perpetrated by the left-wing autonomous scene. At the same time, an LKA officer who was investigating undercover in the milieu disappears. Since it is an old friend of Julia Grosz (Franziska Weisz), the inspector infiltrates her shared apartment under a false identity. Thorsten Falke (Wotan Wilke Möhring) is trying to solve the arson attack. Over time, it dawns on investigators that the two cases are related.
Why is the “Schattenleben” case worthwhile?
The case takes place in Hamburg, the city where left-wing autonomists from all over Europe wreaked havoc in 2017. But the police often reacted with exaggerated brutality at the time. This “crime scene” does not show any sympathy for either side. Not for the cops who hit hard when making arrests. And also not for the ideological do-gooders, for whom the police apparatus is fascist, sexist and racist per se and every officer is automatically guilty. However, “Schattenleben” (book: Lena Fakler, director: Mia Spengler) shows that these are not static blocks: that the majority of police officers do not strike and are trying to clarify things in their own ranks. And that not everyone in the left-wing autonomous scene sees police officers dehumanized as “bull pigs”. What remains is the insight that both sides can take to heart: “If we are just as violent as they are, then we are no better.”
What bothers?
As well as the topic is chosen and prepared, the suspicion creeps up on viewers very early on that the “social problem” here is just accessories and that the solution to the case – as is so often the case – actually lies in personal matters. And as is so often the case, viewers ask themselves: why not just tell a personal story?
The commissioners?
While the “Tatort: Tyrannenmord” broadcast in March of this year was completely tailored to Thorsten Falke, this time Julia Grosz is in the foreground: We learn a little more about the investigator’s past, who was once in love with a woman – but then didn’t stand by her feelings .
Turn on or off?
Despite small weaknesses, a worthwhile “crime scene” – tune in!
Inspectors Grosz and Falke also investigated these cases:
