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What Transpired?
It becomes evident that the motorcyclist clad entirely in black holds no benevolent intentions. And true enough, shortly afterward, Tobias Benzinger (Jan Liem) finds himself lying on the ground with a gaping wound in his forehead, gazing up at the overcast sky above Freiburg. For Franziska Tobler (Eva Löbau) and Friedemann Berg (Hans-Jochen Wagner), the quest for evidence initially proves challenging. The crime scene is situated in a popular recreational area, "half of Freiburg" has left its footprints and tire tracks here.
However, there remains the victim's family, where potential motives might be found. Rainer Benzinger (August Zirner), the deceased's stepfather, operates a successful law firm, but his clientele, as a look into old case files suggests, is tainted with suspicion. Furthermore, Benzinger inexplicably takes on seemingly lost causes with remarkable frequency. But where is it that the threads intersect? The situation escalates when there is an attempt on another life.
What's It Actually About?
As they tread the path of justice, the fundamental questions are posed here: What constitutes justice and how is it enacted? How robust is the moral foundation that we all believe we stand on? It's an intriguing metaphor when Berg, on his inherited farm, endeavors to locate the optimal cement mix for a piece of asphalt, only to find that it crumbles at an alarming rate.
Any Moment to Skip?
None to skip. The pace of the Black Forest team might be a tad slow at times, but the evolving dynamic between Tobler and Berg is intriguing, teetering on the brink of latent mistrust and the comforting realization that they share more in common than they think. The frequent use of self-referential catchphrases like "We always arrive too late" may be slightly excessive, but they complement the well-balanced script by author Bernd Lange, who was also responsible for the Freiburg premiere "Goldbach" in 2017.
The WOW Factor?
See "Any Moment to Skip?" - the charm of the South is more "let's see about that" than "WOW". Here, Lange and director Rudi Gaul skillfully intertwine the various layers - Berg's personal doubts, Tobler's relationship with her retired father (Michael Hanemann), the Benzingers' family life. And just when one thinks that the mystery has been resolved, there's a stunning twist that could potentially result in a "WOW" moment.
How Was It?
7.5 out of 10 points - a solid offering in Black Forest crime drama with minimal fanfare.
Despite the investigation being complex due to the crime scene being a popular recreational area with numerous footprints and tire tracks, Franziska Tobler and Friedemann Berg find it crucial to interview Rainer Benzinger, the victim's stepfather. As they delve deeper into Benzinger's past, they discover his law firm's clientele has questionable connections, and he often takes on seemingly lost causes. Meanwhile, the ARD broadcasts regular updates about the case, keeping the town of Freiburg informed and curious.
