The Trap (2026) s01e02 Episode Script

[gentle piano music playing]
[girls giggling]
[music turns unsettling]
[Lisa] Anna!
[Anna] I will die first,
so I get to choose.
[Lisa] I'll go first,
'cause I'm older, so I get to choose.
[Lisa] Did he know her, before he…
Does he even know
that Anna hated cut flowers?
Was she just a random victim?
[Bukowski whines]
[barks]
[doorbell rings]
[tense music playing]
[doorbell rings]
[loud clattering]
[Bukowski barking]
Shh!
-[Lisa] Rudow.
-[Rudow] Lisa?
[doorbell rings]
[knocking at door]
[Rudow] Lisa!
-Norbert!
-Don't "Norbert" me.
I'm furious.
So you drove all the way here
in the middle of the night?
I'm pissed off enough that sleep
wasn't an option anyway
Last time we spoke,
you were in France, right?
And now I'm here.
Because my best writer bragged
that she was writing some "thriller."
Crime genre.
That's not better.
Your readers will be confused.
Stick to prose and literature,
or else you'll destroy the brand your team
of professionals has built with me.
I want to write about crime,
so that's what I'm doing.
But without even informing me?
Just by a midnight call from a drunk Pia
to tell me you're writing a whodunit?
Look, Lisa, I'm…
I'm not a printing press here!
-Norbert, I wanted to show you…
-No, stop, don't say anything.
No. Just, enough.
[Bukowski barks]
[Lisa] Close the door.
Close it.
-Hold on…
-I know where the corkscrew is.
[clears throat]
THE TRAP
[suspenseful intro music playing]
THE NOVEL
Norbert, I thought you'd be
a little happier here.
I mean, it's already been two years
since my last novel.
And everyone loves a whodunit.
You can sell it.
Stupid ass.
2020 Chateau de Vaudieu.
Brought it back from Paris.
-I think it's quite good.
-[chuckles]
Mmm. [Lisa chokes]
[Lisa coughing]
So what's this frivolous announcement
of an interview?
You made it clear promo and marketing
were never an option.
It seems odd you're open now.
It means I can't procrastinate.
-Nothing is finalized.
-Is that so?
I was really hoping you'd make the call.
You said you've hardly even begun.
If the interview takes place
before I'm even finished writing,
my deadline's like a challenge.
Where's this coming from?
Have you been reading bullshit
self-help books, or whatever this is?
Norbert, I've got someone perfect for it.
My ideal columnist,
who will ask the right questions.
Call him for me, yeah?
Kiss my ass…
Hey, say this is one week before.
If I have my interview,
all the reviewers soon find out.
Poof, we have everything.
-Ah!
-Plus, I wouldn't need you to edit it.
No ads to worry about,
not even a press release.
[Norbert chuckles]
My publishing house
will not print unedited books.
I'm open to finding someone who will.
You didn't have any siblings, am I right?
Mmm.
No, I've never…
You already know that.
My wife says it's so obvious.
[chuckles]
I had one. A sister, three years younger.
Little Anna.
I loved her very much.
More than anything.
And she was murdered.
Summer, 10 years ago this year…
You've never talked about your sister.
I moved to your publishing house
a few weeks after that.
But… we have been side by side
for all this time. We're friends.
Overcoming my issues requires
writing things down so I can process.
Not talking.
And now that's what I'm trying.
To bring up her murder
after all this time…
The killer was never caught, right?
No…
[sighs deeply]
How'd you know that?
How?
-How'd you know about it?
-Look, I wanted to…
Back when you signed, I must…
Fine. Look, I had been dying
to land a top author.
Soon after that I turned 50.
Do you remember? At the party?
Wait…
[faint chatter, upbeat music]
-Thank you.
-You can't mix the pills with champagne…
Hey, hello!
Marc, stop that.
You're the one who wanted to come.
[upbeat dance music playing]
If you can drink, you can also dance.
How could anybody sleep
When they could get out on the floor ♪
Heap big fun till the break of dawn ♪
Gonna shake your tail feathers
Shoot it's gonna be a run ♪
Hold a shotgun on the rooster
And dare him to crow ♪
How could anybody sleep
When they could get out on the floor ♪
[electronic remix of
"Somebody That I Used to Know" playing]
[song distorts, warps]
And I don't even need your love… ♪
[song fading out]
You okay?
["Somebody That I Used to Know"
cutting in and out erratically]
Hey, hey, what's wrong…
No more!
-[Marc] Hey!
-Make it stop!
-No! Stop it all!
-Just calm… You need to… Hold…
Off! Make it stop!
[distressing music playing]
[music trails off]
-Then Marc told you about everything.
-No, nonsense.
He vanished right out of my life,
just like he vanished out of yours.
Or did he visit you
in the psychiatric hospital?
[Lisa] No.
But I don't think I wanted him to.
-The medical staff told you what was--
-They told me not to ask you anything.
Your recovery might have been compromised
if I hadn't waited till you were ready.
I accepted that.
And when my top author
was finally released from the secure unit,
she didn't want to talk about it.
She didn't want to go back
to her apartment or to her parents.
She wouldn't go outside.
So then, I offered her this place.
Come on in. Welcome to the guest villa.
[Norbert] The publishing house
couldn't afford the villa at the time.
Actually, we were
on the verge of bankruptcy.
You recommended my therapist to me,
so does that mean she told you…
I never even met your therapist, Lisa.
A word of mouth suggestion.
But aren't you happy with her?
Don't.
When did you find out?
I kind of knew your sister.
[gasps, scoffs]
Fleetingly.
How fleetingly?
She pitched an advertising concept.
A good one, too.
For the publishing house.
What is all of this?
And she mentioned in passing
that her sister was the author
of an absolutely sensational
debut novel at the time.
Lisa Sophie-Wilking.
[Lisa] What is all of this?
What is…
[high-pitched ringing]
What is all of this?
And then, Lisa Konrad released
Light and Sounds,
your first book under that pseudonym.
And it…
[chuckles]
…kept the company solvent.
More than that.
How did you already know
that Anna was murdered?
I came by to see if she'd help me out,
because I wanted to ask her
to put in a good word with you.
In case you were in the market
for a new publisher.
You had never responded to my offers.
Well, before this all happened, of course.
SECURITY SEAL
Yeah?
I'm looking for Anna… Wilking.
[officer] There are particulates
here, here, and…
Narges, come here a sec.
-Yeah?
-[officer] Take a few samples.
Inspector Akbari.
You're here for Ms. Wilking?
Anna Wi… Wilking, yeah.
-[Narges] Go.
-[Norbert] What happened here?
What is your relationship to Miss Wilking?
Um… What is this? What's going on here?
Ms. Wilking was found dead.
She was murdered.
By whom?
Haven't gotten that far. Name?
Faber.
I had… Have… Yes… I'm… I was…
She gave me a pitch for an ad concept
a few weeks ago.
I wanted to accept her bid.
By visiting her home in person?
We have a few modifications left
before accepting it, but…
I came here so we might maybe work it out.
Have a seat over here, Mr. Faber.
Yeah, thank you.
We're going to need to swab
for a DNA sample.
What for?
Only for comparison.
The doorbell has your prints.
Your name was never mentioned.
Nobody asked me
if I knew a Norbert Rudow either.
They had my DNA sample, and that was it.
Pretty cut and dry.
[suspenseful music playing]
Shit.
[engine turning over]
[tires screech]
Hey!
I'll let you get some sleep.
And send me the journalist's name
for your interview.
Shit.
[typing]
[Lisa] That night will change
Sophie's entire life.
Everything she's left behind.
And all that has yet to come.
[line ringing]
[phone clicks]
[Anna] Hi, it's Anna!
Leave some good news after the beep!
[line beeps]
Hey, you. It keeps going
to voicemail when I call.
Uh, look, I'm really sorry.
-I was working and I…
-"…totally lost track of time."
"I'll be there soon.
Can't wait for your surprise."
[Lisa] Sophie knows
her sister hates it when anyone is late.
And this time, Anna seems really upset.
Anna!
[Lisa] Sophie knocks and rings
the doorbell, but Anna doesn't answer.
Maybe that's just because
the music is playing really loud.
[knocking]
-[Sophie] Anna!
-[Anna's doorbell ringing]
Anna? I'm coming in.
Anna!
["Somebody That I Used to Know" playing]
Sophie wonders what kind of surprise
Anna has planned.
Anna!
["Somebody That I Used to Know" playing]
But I don't wanna live that way ♪
Reading into every word you say ♪
[glitchy static]
You said that you could let it go ♪
And I wouldn't catch you hung up
On somebody that you used to know ♪
Anna! No, no, no. Anna, no, please.
Anna, stay with me! Anna!
No, no, no, no…
And I don't even need your love ♪
But you treat me like a stranger
And that feels so rough ♪
[screaming]
[Lisa] That man looked Sophie
directly in the eye.
It felt as though
all of the oxygen suddenly left the room
No air, no sound.
-Oh god.
-No colors.
[song trails off]
Sophie feels cold.
From within, so cold.
Everything around her seems to unfold
as though it was perfectly choreographed.
[officer]
Please take a few steps back. Thank you.
[Lisa] Everyone seems to know
exactly what needs to be done.
What's going to happen next.
Everyone except Sophie.
Sophie knows she cannot scream.
She cannot lash out.
For Sophie, time stands still.
[officer] Just a few more steps.
Thank you.
No one who knew Anna
would have done this to her.
-No one is loved by everybody.
-[Lisa] I don't understand how…
I… I just don't understand.
I've never seen that man before tonight.
He… He had…
[hyperventilating]
I'm not sure what to tell you.
But I promise I will find out
what happened.
Would you know if
your sister was left-handed?
Yeah. Uh, why would…
To compare.
Leon, I have something to show you.
Please stay put, miss. Before you leave,
I'll need an official statement.
You just promised a witness
that you'd solve this.
Nah.
-Not directly.
-[scoffs] "Not directly."
You don't like her.
-It's called being professional.
-Hmm.
Hannes? I want photos
of her hands, clothing, everything.
[Hannes] Mm-hmm.
-Should I?
-Yeah.
[Hannes] Look straight ahead.
Now your hands. Other side.
[Narges] As we were
about to move the body, we found this.
Ah, we still need a minute…
[Narges] An "L" and an "I."
[Leon] Could be an "E."
[Lisa] Or whatever letter it was
actually meant to become…
Once he reads that,
he'll do the interview.
Won't he?
Is that enticing enough?
Smells nice.
Excuse me.
Robert, how is it you know Norbert Rudow?
-Who's that?
-Rudow Publishing?
Ah, Rudow Publishing. I'm aware.
But Rudow personally, I think I'll pass.
Norbert already made an offer.
-I haven't written a book or anything.
-An interview.
With Rudow? For what purpose?
Not with him. With his top writer.
And that is?
Lisa Konrad?
Ah. My ex-wife has
a shelf full of her things.
-Sounds like your department, doesn't it?
-Wish it did, but she wants you.
An advance interview
for her upcoming novel.
Exclusive, in her house!
This could even lead to a cover.
Each and every book
Lisa Konrad has written
ended up on top of the bestseller charts
for the last 10 years,
and yet somehow nobody has ever met her.
And there's even a theory
that she never existed.
That maybe another author
is behind that pseudonym.
-Lisa Konrad is a pseudonym?
-Yeah.
It could honestly be any one
of several authors…
Schirach, Zeh, Kehlmann,
and Rudow himself.
-Nobody knows who…
-No.
I've confirmed with Rudow already.
Why would you confirm? Forget it.
I can ask my team to see
if anyone else is interested in it.
Katrin, please do whatever it is
without me.
I guess I will.
[tense music playing]
RUDOW PUBLISHING
NON-FICTION AND FICTION LITERATURE
OUR AUTHORS
ABOUT US
[Robert] Hey!
What the fuck?
-Hey.
-Hey.
Hey, Katrin.
Book the interview.
I thought we said…
Shit…
ROBERT LENZEN
PHONE NO. REFLEK
LONDON - WHEN?
NEW SCOTLAND YARD
"CAUGHT IN THE SYRIAN WAR"
INTERVIEW BY ROBERT LENZEN
THE POLICE ARE ASKING FOR YOUR HELP
[Lisa] Sophie stares
into the bright lights
on the ceiling of the cramped police van.
"Like a heavenly light," she thinks.
Suddenly, Sophie is catapulted
out of her memories.
The policewoman's barrage of questions
seems never-ending.
Why would you come
to your sister's this late?
We were supposed to meet up earlier.
I was late.
If I had made it here on time…
She mentioned she had
a surprise just for me.
[Narges] What surprise?
[Sophie] I don't know.
Whatever she did,
it was probably something to console me.
Console you?
[Sophie] My boyfriend and I,
we're… going through a rough patch.
[Narges] Why's that?
Will all of my relationship problems
help you find my little sister's killer
or something?
I… I thought you'd want to know
about the man!
What time was it
when you arrived at your sister's?
I already told you all of that.
I… I'm going to my dad's house.
Thank you.
-Could we drive you?
-No.
What was that?
Well, she just lost her little sister.
That's what.
[wailing]
[man grunts]
I didn't…
I'm sorry!
I'm so sorry!
So sorry.
So sorry.
[Lisa] "I'm so sorry. I'm so sorry."
-[Sophie] I'm so sorry!
-[Lisa] "So sorry…"
I'm so sorry!
[Sophie] I'm so sorry!
I'm so sorry!
[moody, intriguing music playing]
[doorbell rings]
[doorbell continues ringing]
-[Bukowski barking]
-Yeah, yeah, yeah.
[Pia] Are you insane?
Why are you drooling on me?
[Pia] Ah! You! Come here, you.
[Pia] Hello.
Rudow gave me a call today.
He tapped Reflekt to handle the interview.
-Finally.
-Hello.
-My door.
-Ah, right.
Why's this coming from you, not him?
We talked logistics.
God, I need to take these off.
What logistics?
Just some tedious contract crap.
The flowers are for you…
Thanks.
Plus, I'm gonna ask
for a larger royalty percentage now.
-I don't need more money.
-Well, you haven't seen the new offices.
-Not yet.
-Oh, God!.
Sweetheart, I've told you so many times.
It's not just the money.
It's the currency of appreciation
and respect money represents.
Ah, is that so?
We've gotten more requests
for filming rights.
Flowers are beautiful.
Thank you.
The new Galant has a feature
about you, you know.
Uh-huh. I'll read it to you.
Wait. That you…
One minute, almost got it…
Here we go. Ah.
It says that the author has to spend
her life behind closed curtains,
due to severe light sensitivity,
while at night she sleeps
under an oxygen tent
to get the rest she so urgently needs.
[Pia chuckles]
It kinda makes you wonder, doesn't it…
Anyway, that's all…
Oh, it features
a great photo of the villa.
[tense music playing]
LISA KONRAD
THE QUEEN OF DARKNESS?
Yeah, but it only says "guest villa,"
and the only location information
says "near Munich."
That's a really old picture, too.
The roof still hadn't been replaced.
Where'd they get that photo?
In some archive.
Also, it says guest villa
of Rudow Publishing, 2012.
I doubt it's linked.
Looks like a stock image.
Probably just a coincidence.
And what if someone manages
to find my address?
Why would anyone come here anyway?
That's why it says "guest house"
and not "Lisa Konrad lives here."
Bassem?
Salam, Bassem. How's it going?
Close the door.
Everything I've got
on Al-Manar and the Darabi Clan
is on the server for you.
Yeah, thanks.
Lisa Konrad.
Heard of her before?
Is she somehow related to Konrad,
the arms dealer from Passau we know?
No, not at all. A literary Konrad.
From Munich area. She's a writer.
Don't bring me in on your lady issues.
Dirty business. Your dirty business.
I need it for an interview I'm planning.
Need what?
Wish I knew.
Which is why I came to see you.
I want to know about her childhood,
her education, friends.
Relationships.
Her health records.
Ah, yeah, and Lisa Konrad actually writes
under a pseudonym.
-A pseudonym?
-Mm-hmm.
I need you to find her real name.
Any and all info
needs to come to me privately.
Don't use the server.
I've got a colleague on the culture desk
who plays dirty.
Oh, and find the address for this place.
[Bassem] Wow, that's a really nice house.
I want this photo
out of publication right away.
It's online.
You can't do anything about it.
I mean it when I say this interview
could only bring--
I just want to have control
over something.
But sweetheart, do you really believe
this interview is a good idea?
Pia, would you stop bullshitting?
Okay, then. So I'll be clear and direct.
Rudow wants you to back out of it.
But he's not even done setting it up yet.
He's worried about you, dear.
That's why we met up, to make sure…
Tell Norbert that he should
talk to me himself next time.
He wants a peek at the novel before you…
Like I said, I want Norbert to call.
I don't wanna hear it from you.
Okay. I told him I would try.
[Pia] Otherwise?
Are you doing well?
[suspenseful music playing]
[child 1] That one's pretty.
[child 2] And that one.
[child 1] It's mean
to tear the flowers' heads off!
[child 2] But I'm only picking them
to give to Mommy!
[child 1] But then they'll be dead.
They'll all wither and die anyway.
Even all these pretty blooms.
[crying]
Yeah, but if you pick them,
they'll be dying so young!
[tender, somber music playing]
Anna, I promise I'll never pick
flowers for Mommy again.
How's writing the new book going?
Have you been getting enough sleep?
I've still got eight weeks
until the interview. I'll…
I'll get this done.
I'd better get back to it.
Is the tanning bed working?
[line ringing]
-[Norbert] Rudow.
-Did you leak the photo?
Lisa, nice to hear from you.
Has Pia spoken to you?
-[Lisa] Did you leak the photo?
-Now that'd be crazy. Why would I do that?
-Good morning.
-I don't know what to think anymore.
[Norbert] I haven't kept the world
off your back for 10 years
just to tip off some tabloid.
Almost makes you question
if publishing your story's the right call.
It's about a crime.
A whodunit fiction novel.
Why would anyone think
that's what this story is?
If someone gets the address,
the land registrar's available publicly.
And your identity isn't hidden.
It'll say the name "Lisa Sophie Wilking."
And then…
I'm not registered here.
I have a P.O. box, as you know.
Lisa, I know what journalists are like.
Believe me.
Too many political hacks.
Those never give up questioning.
[Lisa] I'm not looking for
another rave review.
I don't want someone from the usual
literary circle reading my new book.
I want someone
that writes about the world.
Things that really matter.
[Norbert] Ah-ha.
Lisa, it's…
I'm not publishing
without a preview of the work.
I'll send it to you and to the journalist
when it's finished. That's no problem.
[doorbell ringing]
APRIL 2018
BEIRUT? LEBANON
[door opening]
[knocking]
[Lisa] Pia? You need to leave now.
What?
Time's up, you need to go.
[Pia grunts]
I mean it. Now, Pia.
Okay, what is going on with you lately?
I have training.
And aren't you beautiful enough?
This interview, the training,
these new gadgets everywhere…
Did your mid-life crisis arrive early
or did they have your meds adjusted again?
[man] Hello?
Ms. Konrad?
Ah.
Hi. Is there somewhere to change?
Ah, there.
[intriguing music playing]
-I'll leave you to it.
-Hmm.
We'll start with the basics.
Try to hit me.
-You're serious?
-Mm-hmm.
Harder.
Okay.
For real?
[trainer] Five.
Six.
Six.
Six.
Push. Push!
It's important to learn to fall.
Thanks.
And how to get up.
Picking yourself up
is as important as falling.
Uppercut.
Duck. Left. Right. Left. Right.
Oh my god.
Do you happen to know
anything about surveillance tech?
-No.
-Oh.
But I know people who do.
-Oh, yeah?
-Again.
And I'll see the feed that's connected
directly to my home computer?
Yeah, with Wi-Fi.
There's the ground floor,
including the driveway. Just a minute…
[Lisa] You really can't see it.
What'd you think of that?
[tech] Well, go find it.
Where can I find the provider connection?
It's installed somewhere outside.
You'll make your way out the door,
to the left, between the windows.
UTA SECURITY SYSTEMS
[suspenseful music playing]
[suspenseful outro music continuing]