Since the village had to make way for opencast mining, Alt-Bützenich has been falling into disrepair. Almost all residents now live in the Neu-Bützenich aseptic settlement. Most of the houses are empty, including the house of the village doctor, Dr. Franzen, who is found shot dead in it. The doctor wasn’t popular – but who does that? Inspectors Ballauf (Klaus J. Behrendt) and Schenk (Dietmar Bär) try to find out. They come across a hopelessly divided village community.
Only recently have the images of the embattled Lützerath brought to mind the deep traces that brown coal opencast mining leaves on nature and society. Since the end of the Second World War, around 300 towns in Germany have been resettled for lignite mining. Everywhere people have left their old houses and moved to new settlements. How it feels and what it looks like – this episode of “Tatort” gives an impressive picture of it. The deserted, gloomy Alt-Bützenich is contrasted with the gleaming white houses of Neu-Bützenich in harsh counter-cuts. Much is known about the ecological dimension of opencast mining. Here is a look at the human consequences of energy policy.
The actual criminal case has been in the background for a long time, which is good for this “crime scene” overall, because it puts the social upheavals of Bützenich in the foreground. Nevertheless, the murder has to be solved, unfortunately the resolution ends up being a bit Miss Marple-like.
Because the alternator in Freddy’s car is broken, the two investigators have to spend the night in the abandoned Alt-Bützenich. The nocturnal solitude makes it clear to them what they are missing. While Schenk longs for his wife, Ballauf can’t get an old love out of his head: the psychologist Lydia Rosenberg (Juliane Köhler). He makes contact again.
Rare example of a “crime scene” that is relevant and entertaining. Be sure to tune in.
Inspectors Ballauf and Schenk recently investigated the following cases:
