"Breisgau: Bullenstall" (ZDF): Police work as a family business

In the new ZDF series “Breisgau”, a Rostock commissioner encounters opaque relationships in Freiburg.

Frankfurt – Tanja Wilken (Katharina Nesytowa) would like to be transferred. The Rostock criminal investigator attaches various job advertisements to a map of Germany. You can choose from among others Kiel, Kassel, Koblenz. Then she throws darts blindly. Three hits. She decides on the most distant agency. For Freiburg im Breisgau.

The submitted applications are checked there. Experience in fighting gang and serious crimes, three foreign languages, black belt. Chief Inspector Dennis Danzeisen (Joscha Kiefer) is impressed by Tanja Wilken. Secretly also from the application photo. But the decisive factor is something else. There are nine hundred kilometers between Rostock and Freiburg – reason for Danzeisen to suspect that Wilken deliberately wants to keep his distance. And a colleague with a weak spot – this unusual selection committee has a special interest in that.

“Breisgau: Bullenstall” (ZDF): Family association or nepotism?

Arriving in the student city of Freiburg, Tanja Wilken decently switches from a Volvo to a bicycle. The special conditions at the Freiburg-Süd office soon became apparent to her. Her new partner Dennis Danzeisen, the district manager Dorothea Danzeisen (Johanna Gastdorf), two police officers (Daniel Friedl and Vita Tepel), the forensic doctor, a forensic scientist – all of them are related. Or related by marriage. And all of them have first names that start with D.

Dorothea Danzeisen’s birthday is celebrated in an inn in the old town. His host is also a member of the Danzeisen clan, a former police officer who had to retire due to injury.

At first Tanja Wilken was only surprised at the numerous family connections. But then she is whispered several times that the Danzeisens only represent law to the outside world. From then on she went through the world with increased suspicion. Whether with justification, right and good reason, will only be shown by the sequel, which is still in progress.

For the time being, Wilken and Danzeisen, i.e. Dennis, are taking care of the possible murder of an investigative journalist. She fell to her death in the forest. The circumstances suggest external negligence. Did she investigate corruption in the police apparatus? One of the suspects is not related to the Danzeisens, but has been friends with Dennis for years. If that doesn’t stop you …

“Breisgau: Bullenstall” (ZDF): With a cautious joke

With Andreas Heckmann and Michael Vershinin, formerly Illner, who are labeled Heckmann & Vershinin in the staff information, two experienced crime writers are behind this new draft series for ZDF, but they deliver more than just a routine product. The constellation that an investigator has permanent doubts about the honesty of the rest of the workforce is an original design and creates lasting tension.

The figures, including the rascals, are drawn very affectionately, the details lovingly worked out. The plot is mixed with a good dose of humor, which increases the entertainment factor without slipping into cynicism. Sometimes it is just an original line of dialogue, such as when Dennis Danzeisen parries the request to start a song with the remark that the Danzeisens could also “delegate”.

Many of the characters have a natural-looking sense of humor developed from the situation. One must not forget, however, that humor is by no means a sign of good character.

“Breisgau: Bullenstall” (ZDF): Staging with a sure taste

Occasionally there are slapstick moments that director Thomas Jauch keeps tightly together and saves from slapstick. In the first few minutes, Tanja Wilken slides down a slope at the location where she was found and lands directly on Dennis Danzeisen. That could easily have become tasteless, but Jauch has it under control. He can rely on good actors, above all Katharina Nesytowa, who is currently also playing a leading role in the drama series “WIR”, which can be seen on ZDFneo and in the ZDF media library, and in both productions, as previously in series such as “Im In the face of crime ”,“ Zorn ”and“ Hamilton ”, convinced by their sensitive presentation.

A funny little thing can be observed on the edge. The camera of the research journalist was given a fantasy name by the prop to avoid surreptitious advertising. However, lenses with a distinctive design belong to this brand. Anyone who knows just a little about photography will recognize the manufacturer. But surely not just run off and buy a camera of this brand. (Harald Keller)