Breslau (2025) s01e03 Episode Script

1
Woe to the city of blood.
Full of lies, full of plunder.
You and I will restore order in Breslau.
[Podolsky clears throat]
[doorbell chimes]
Heil Hitler!
What do you want?
Walter Burchardt, medical examiner.
Well, what do you see?
A dead, elderly Jew.
He died of a gunshot wound.
Almost immediately.
The killer shot point-blank.
Within two meters.
- He burned his eyes out.
- I'm impressed.
Reddened fingertips.
He suffered from Raynaud syndrome.
Fingers change color due to stress.
- He knew he was going to die.
- I doubt it.
His right cuff is scorched.
He threw something
into the fireplace before he died
and burned his fingertips.
I need the autopsy report today.
- [doorbell chimes]
- [indistinct chatter]
Fuck.
- [reporter 1] Detective, a picture?
- [reporter 2] A few words?
- [camera shutter clicking]
- Detective, please.
[reporter 3] Is it connected
with the previous murder?
- [Podolsky] Go, now.
- Detective!
THE BRESLAU MURDERS
The Jewish community might know
something about Blumenstein.
We have nothing.
No criminal record, no family.
But he had a good business sense.
He ran a monopoly
on wedding photography.
You know, he had all the oddities.
Animals, exotic scenography.
[breathes deeply] I'll take care of him.
You bring in Blumenstein's
last customers for questioning.
- Question his neighbors and so on.
- Yes, sir.
[sighs]
- Name and surname.
- Abram Niepold.
I am I mean, I was
Mr. Blumenstein's assistant.
What is this?
I have no idea.
- Never seen them before.
- Hmm.
And when did you last see
Mr. Blumenstein alive?
Yesterday, around 10:00 p.m.
- And what was he doing?
- Nothing.
I mean, he was sitting at his desk,
doing accounts.
Hmm. [clears throat]
And the room looked the same
the next day?
Yes.
Nothing was missing?
Mmm-mmm. I don't think so.
I didn't look very closely.
Mmm-hmm. You came to work at 8:00 a.m.?
Yes, as always.
- And what did you do?
- Mmm, I called the police.
But that was at 8:21 a.m.
What did you do
before calling the police?
I don't know. Mmm
Maybe I came a little late today.
No.
I was shocked. It took me a while
before I was able to do anything
You'll be shocked
when you meet your new cellmates.
Let the guards know,
should you remember anything.
Hi.
Examine this for me, too.
- An honest Jew? That's a good one.
- That's not what I'm asking.
His place was as busy as a brothel.
People were saying
Speak, or you'll end up in the precinct.
That he would hold cult meetings there.
Some Freemasons, or some other crap.
Chic ladies, you know.
Elegant gentlemen.
All sorts of people would gather there.
He was an odd and very secretive man.
What do you mean?
- He kept busy taking photos.
- Yes.
You'd have never guessed he'd die.
Blumenstein got a proposal
to sell his company at a submarket rate.
He refused.
Two days later,
someone attacked him and beat him up.
The next offer was much less favorable,
but he stood firm.
And then his photo studio
was vandalized.
- What did he say?
- That he wouldn't do the baptism party.
How come?
Like, when our offspring comes,
he wouldn't know what would happen
because he might not be here.
He wanted to sell the studio
and leave town.
Who wanted to buy Blumenstein's studio?
Martin Fischnell.
An NSDAP activist.
[Fischnell] Not like this.
Lift it from the bottom!
[Rabbi Herzog]
He runs a beer hall at Breslau Ring.
[Fischnell] Fuck,
who do I have to work with?
[Podolsky] Germany is a friendly nation.
Peace-loving and welcoming to everyone.
Even to the Jews at the moment.
I was starting to think
you couldn't handle it.
Take it down.
The sign will come in handy one day.
[Rabbi Herzog] He was a pimp
before Hitler came to power.
Rumor has it, he killed a prostitute.
But I was to take over his firm
in a completely legal manner.
Did he agree to sell his studio?
He didn't get a chance to agree
because he died.
But he would've agreed, I'm sure.
Everybody does.
Bierchowsky, the Bardnasch brothers,
Trautner, Lewy
They all lost their businesses
in the same way.
It was a great idea, wasn't it?
Take over their business only
to hit them again with the flight tax.
Hitler is a genius.
What are they doing?
Disinfecting the taps.
Must be done every few months.
What's that liquid?
Chlorine. Very effective.
Disinfects everything.
Serial killer in Breslau,
burns his victims' eyes.
Podolsky is after him.
[sighs heavily]
[indistinct chatter]
[Holtz] "Eyeburner"?
Who let them publish it?
It's a tabloid.
They don't ask for anyone's permission.
They will, from now on.
It's a breach of confidentiality
and we'll treat it as treason.
Raid their office.
Arrest the editor and the author
of the article. Interrogate them.
Yes, sir.
[door opens and closes]
To sum up,
we have a serial killer, three victims,
and no progress on the investigation.
We have a few leads.
Two of the victims were Jewish.
Exactly.
This morning, I found out that
Heinrich Himmler is coming to Breslau
to open the Blood and Soil exhibition,
but first and foremost,
to check on our preparations
for the Olympics.
The Games.
No signs of antisemitism.
This is Berlin's crucial directive.
There are no Germans and Jews.
There are only citizens
of the Third Reich
treating each other with kindness.
And does the NSDAP take over
Jewish property at bargain prices?
There's no antisemitism.
There's no such lead
in the investigation, got it?
But Blumenstein received death threats
because he wouldn't agree
to sell his studio for next to nothing.
You have unlimited resources
for your operational work,
and all my men at your disposal.
I have just got the press
out of your way.
Still, my generosity
really has its limits.
So it wasn't you.
I beg your pardon?
[stutters] If it was you
who eliminated an awkward rival
to the German javelin thrower,
as well as a Jewish businessman
who didn't want to sell his property,
and you disguised all these actions
as a work of a serial killer
I'll find out sooner or later.
You're asking for a firing squad
for yourself, Detective.
Mmm. Just one of many hypotheses.
I doubt it could be true.
Yeah? Why?
You wouldn't have given me the case.
We have a new development.
That prostitute
had ties to the communists.
Did you use the business card
I gave you?
I was planning to,
but another victim was found.
I can't help but feel that you're
sabotaging your own investigation.
Yes, sir.
Blood and Soil
This will be a showroom on
"The Superiority of the Northern Races."
There, we'll hang a map
of the territories
originally inhabited by the Aryan race.
In the center, we'll have
Arthur de Gobineau's bust.
A Frenchman?
He developed the theory of race purity.
He claimed it was the German race
who created culture.
I mean, the Aryan race.
Focus on Ploetz's discoveries
when giving Himmler a tour.
Alfred Ploetz and his Society
for Racial Hygiene
will have a separate exposition room.
Excellent.
We will make a toast with Sekt.
My people will take care of the vintage.
We've prepared light snacks
to accommodate
the digestive problems of the SS leader.
The SS leader has no ailments.
Such toadying can land you a job
at a museum in a salt mine.
[sighs]
[mellow music playing]
Prof. Dr. INGA EISSMANN
Psychoanalyst
[doorbell rings]
- Good afternoon.
- Good afternoon.
Come in, please.
Please wait here.
Heil Hitler.
It's about parapraxes
and unconscious motivations.
Your killer seems to have
plenty of them.
Inga Eissmann.
Please, sit down.
Emma will bring you some coffee.
[sighs] I've heard a lot about you.
Mmm, I'm afraid I can't say the same
about you, Professor.
[inhales deeply]
But I understand
you deal with treating mental illness?
No. I deal with the study
of human psyche.
My teacher was Sigmund Freud.
Perhaps you've heard of him?
In his work, Freud focuses
on the subconscious and dreams.
[scoffs] Is this a joke?
[chuckles]
Why do you think
Obersturmbannführer Holtz
asked you to come here?
[Podolsky clears throat]
I'm after a psychopath.
And you're an expert.
Your killer is acting like a psychopath.
He might want us to think of him as one.
But is he really?
And do you think he made all this effort
only to impress us?
Or to distract us.
Sometimes, burned out eye sockets
are just that, nothing more.
Here are the findings.
Exclusively for you.
[light classical music playing]
[indistinct chatter]
I told you it would be worth the wait.
But why are you helping me?
Because I want you to write honestly
about my country.
The murderer spent more time
on the prostitute than on the athlete.
I believe he chose her as his victim.
Why do you think that?
He thinks he's cleaning the city.
How did you conclude that?
[Podolsky grunts softly]
It's just a hypothesis.
I have another.
He's not a psychopath.
But then he'd need to have a motive.
All the victims
would have to be connected.
[Podolsky] Did Zelda know this guy?
Well, it's Bodo Blum.
- Who?
- Bodo Blumenstein, the director.
German Adonis.
Glazed Helga.
- Are these porn flicks?
- [scoffs] They're classics.
He had the largest studio in Berlin.
[Benk] And?
Did Zelda play in his films?
Find me a whore who didn't.
Get copies of Blumenstein's films
from Alex Oczko.
He has a screening room
at the back of the bar.
- Tell him I sent you.
- Yes, sir.
Watch Zelda's films.
Maybe you'll find something.
Yes, sir.
To keep some balance,
you'll get me the autopsy report.
Do you think the murders
are connected to Blumenstein's business?
We'll know when he kills again.
Unless we catch him first.
I doubt it.
And what about Zelda's lover?
I asked the neighbors,
but they don't know anything.
Many guys visited her.
I also browsed
through the communist files but
We're missing a starting point.
I'm home!
Darling?
[sighs]
[exhales heavily]
[Lena chuckles]
Don't you dare piss while I'm here.
[toilet seat thuds]
[urinating]
I'll never put it in my mouth again.
[Podolsky exhales]
You caught him?
Not yet.
But I'm getting closer.
I'm close to getting
the humiliation of the century.
My friends keep calling me.
He's a serial killer, Lena.
He killed three people.
Is that why you've made me
a laughingstock?
[scoffs]
Fuck.
[sighs] He burns his victims' eyes out
with a corrosive chemical.
You must have met him that night.
He knows who you are.
Maybe it wasn't him who left that note.
Maybe it was some joke.
He left a second letter
at the crime scene last night.
Same handwriting, same message.
I'm sorry, Franz,
but I really can't remember much.
I know, honey.
I'm just worried about you.
- That's why you must protect me.
- Hmm.
[chuckles softly]
You can't let me out of your sight.
I can't.
I take back what I said.
You know,
about not putting it in my mouth.
[Podolsky chuckles]
All I need is a little time ♪
To get behind this sun
and cast my weight ♪
All I need is a peace of this mind ♪
Then I can celebrate ♪
All in all there's something to give ♪
All in all there's something to do ♪
All in all there's something to live ♪
With you ♪
With you ♪
[vocalizing]
[both breathing heavily]
All I need is a little sign ♪
To get behind this sun
and cast this weight of mine ♪
All I need is the place to find ♪
And there I'll celebrate ♪
All in all there's something to live ♪
With you ♪
With you ♪
[vocalizing]
[projector whirring]
[Podolsky]
Tomorrow is Chimek's birthday.
He's turning 18.
[inhales deeply]
Hedwiga invited us to dinner.
[Lena] Mmm-hmm.
No offense, darling.
I respect your sister-in-law immensely,
but brawn with mustard
makes me want to puke.
[both chuckle]
- We'll stuff ourselves before we leave.
- [smacks lips]
[exhales heavily] And a present?
[exhales heavily] I don't know yet.
What?
A monthly pass to a brothel.
[both laughing]
[typewriters clacking outside]
[Benk] Zelda appeared in three of them.
In one of them, shot this year, she has
bruises on her face and shoulders.
That's why he lied.
Who?
Blumenstein's assistant.
He found the body at 8:00 a.m.,
but reported it 20 minutes later.
He was cleaning up.
He removed everything
connected to the porn business.
[Podolsky sighs]
[Abram sniffles]
The first days are the hardest.
You have to establish yourself
in the cell.
Let me out of here.
[crying] I didn't do anything.
I'm innocent.
Not so innocent.
You will get at least six months
for giving false testimony.
But for production
and distribution of porn films
That's a bigger problem.
Not our problem, though.
[clicks tongue]
The Gestapo handles that now.
[breathes deeply] I'll cooperate.
I'll tell you everything I know.
I had nothing to do with this.
[breathing heavily]
[Podolsky] Ann Ricken,
also known as Zelda.
[shuddering breaths]
She's known Blumenstein for years.
From Berlin.
She played in his films there.
Later, they made a few more in Breslau.
But recently,
my boss hasn't shot anything new.
Too risky?
He wanted to sell the studio
and leave for America.
They'd force him
to do it sooner or later.
Was there anything more between them?
Between him and Zelda? No.
Blumenstein only liked to watch the sex.
Did they have any enemies?
Not that I know of.
What about these bruises?
The bruises [clicks tongue]
That was her lover.
He and Zelda had this
passionate relationship.
She often told me about it.
She loved to embarrass me.
What's his name?
I don't know.
I never met him.
I only know that he hangs out
with the communists.
[Podolsky grunts]
I really don't know his name.
I'm begging you, I
I don't want to end up at the Gestapo.
[crying] I'm begging you,
anything but the Gestapo.
I'm begging you,
anything but the Gestapo.
I really had nothing to do with this.
You must not leave the city.
Get the fuck out.
[sighs deeply]
- [bell tolling]
- [children chattering]
Why isn't it working?
Your last pregnancy
was with your husband?
No.
It means he could be the problem.
A sperm analysis would be helpful.
[inhales sharply]
Mmm, it would answer all our questions.
[door opens]
Good morning, Doctor.
Good morning.
[exhales deeply]
- Did you start without me?
- We're almost done.
Ah. You told me it was at 10:30 a.m.
10:00 sharp.
But don't worry, Franz.
No breakthrough in our case.
[Podolsky] Hmm.
I understand.
Frankly speaking,
we haven't paid much attention
to the fertility calendar
you told us about.
[grunts softly] But we'll try harder.
It's good that you're determined.
[chuckles softly]
Every Podolsky conceives a Podolsky.
It's a family tradition.
[chuckles softly]
[inhales sharply]
- What if there will be no baby?
- What?
What if I don't get pregnant?
Why wouldn't you?
You don't want to?
I do, but what if it doesn't happen?
[Podolsky chuckles softly]
Will you still want me?
I told you, you're being hysterical.
Blood and Soil
It looks good, Holtz.
But that's not why I came to Breslau.
We heard you're struggling
to maintain order in the city.
I assure you it's a momentary situation.
It was supposed to be decent and clean.
Without a trace of antisemitism.
Yet we have two Jews
with their eyes burned out.
The Polish ambassador hinted at
withdrawing the national representation.
According to our findings,
those murders
weren't motivated by antisemitism.
Our best investigator is on the case.
We'll catch the killer
in a matter of days, maybe hours.
You realize your future depends on this?
I feel confident about this,
Reichsführer Himmler.
[chuckles]
[stomps foot] Heil Hitler!
[engine starts]
Serial killer in Breslau,
burns his victims' eyes.
Podolsky is after him.
[door unlocks]
What are you reading?
About hens that started to lay more eggs
after Hitler took over the Third Reich.
[laughs softly]
Is that true?
Um Can I go out tonight?
No.
Dad is going to be busy today.
But maybe tomorrow?
You always say that.
Plans change.
What about therapy?
I had to cancel it.
[breathes shakily]
Dad has important matters on his mind.
[stutters] Have some lemonade.
It's so hot today.
[exhales sharply]
Hmm.
[door locking]
[breathing shakily]
[breathing heavily]
[sniffles]
[grunts]
[exhales]
[sighs] Your father dreamt
you'd follow in his footsteps.
- I don't want to be a railway man, Mom.
- It's an honest profession.
For an honest man.
It has a future.
Hitler appreciates hard work
and the value of simple people.
I want to study the German language
at the university.
"Extinguish my eyes,
I still can see you.
"Close my ears, I can hear you.
[both] "And without feet,
I still can follow you.
"And without voice,
I can still silently curse you."
[chuckles]
[Hedwiga] Your dad didn't get a chance
to pursue an education.
Grandpa invested all his savings
in uncle Franz.
[Podolsky sighs deeply]
Let me get you some.
Lena loves brawn.
- [Lena] Hmm.
- [Hedwiga chuckles]
- Mustard?
- Thank you.
[Hedwiga] Please, forgive me
that it's all so modest.
It's hard for a widow
and a single mother to make a living.
We shouldn't complain.
At least the Führer
gave us back our dignity.
- You can always count on me.
- That's what I'm saying.
I don't want your charity.
What can you possibly know about it?
Everything came easy to you.
When your brother
was toiling away at the rail,
you were dillydallying
at the university.
- You know our father
- Unlike Hitler.
He understands simple folk.
He used to be a penniless worker.
He lived in a shelter.
- And when he speaks
- [Podolsky] Hmm.
So deep, it's almost like the Gospel.
Because he puts morality first.
And decency.
A pickle?
I can see your plebeian nature
resurfacing, Franz.
[Podolsky]
I hope it's not a shock to you.
Quite the contrary.
I like this
primal, barbaric masculinity.
- [giggling]
- There you go.
[Podolsky breathing heavily]
Thanks to you,
Chimek will enter manhood.
Did you see his face?
- You mean the pickle?
- Mmm-hmm. You and the pickle.
[Lena chuckles]
[both laughing]
And what are your plans,
my Slavic barbarian?
[Podolsky moans softly]
The usual stuff. [sniffling]
I'll have some good vodka first.
[exhales heavily] And then I'll conquer
my German princess.
Could you maybe change the sequence?
[grunts] And where's the vodka bottle
that I opened yesterday?
You drank it.
- I mean it, let's go to bed.
- Have you ever seen a sober barbarian?
But you're already plastered, Franz.
Behave yourself
or I'll have to flog you.
[laughs]
[Podolsky breathing heavily, moaning]
- I'm going to the bar for some vodka.
- No!
[exhales heavily]
I've had a rough day.
If you go, I'm going to bed.
Are you crazy?
What's with you?
You think it turns me on?
You reek of booze every night.
And when you come home
drugged and without panties?
It happened once, Franz.
- Well
- Once!
Once is enough to push a man into vice.
So I'm the reason you drink?
I may stop
if you start respecting yourself.
Fuck off!
You too!
[breathing heavily]
[grunts softly]
Johann, I'm scared.
[sighs]
I'll be back to give him the shot.
Do you know what will happen
if Himmler finds out?
He won't find out.
Shit.
They will take him away.
They will lock him up
in a mental hospital or in a camp.
Don't worry about anything.
It's going to be all right.
I promise.
[Holtz sighs]
You could use a camp here.
A camp?
Where do you keep all the human scum?
Prostitutes are in custody,
and beggars and drifters
in a homeless shelter.
It's pointless.
You should put them to work.
Why did your predecessor
close the Tarnogaj camp?
As far as I know, there were
issues with international opinion.
What a hypocrisy.
I'll tell you something, Holtz,
but I want you to keep it between us.
You can count on me.
The Führer gives me all the credit
for building our camps.
But the truth is
that the British invented them.
They've had them in their colonies
since the 19th century.
They're certainly
not as perfectly organized as ours.
[laughing]
Is there any nightlife here, Holtz?
What do you have in mind, Reichsführer?
You decide.
[engine starts]
[Müller] Hey.
Pretty boy?
[chuckles]
Wait.
Wait for auntie.
[gun cocks]
Come on, enough with the foreplay.
Come on.
Baby doll. [breathes deeply]
Come on.
You won't regret it.
[indistinct chatter]
[sighs]
It's rather quiet for a cabaret.
[Holtz clears throat]
Most of the jokes
had antisemitic undertones.
I've suspended them
until the end of the Games.
Rightfully so.
I like you, Holtz.
Have you met Heydrich yet?
Of course, Reichsführer,
but only on professional terms.
I promoted him without hesitation.
Two months ago,
he was in the exact spot you are now.
I've got my eye on you.
Just close the case once and for all.
We're very close. We will catch him.
It's an international issue.
You have to find a culprit.
He should fit our political line.
I'll take care of it.
[applause]
[piano music playing]
[singing in German]
I've been your woman for two years ♪
You had my complete trust
That was my only fault ♪
[both singing in German]
Never go alone ♪
Never sail the turbulent sea
In stormy weather ♪
Out
You lovely little fisherman's girl ♪
[Podolsky] You lovely little
Never in stormy weather ♪
Franz. Franz!
I'm so glad you're feeling down again.
Just like the old times.
[both continue singing]
Detective Podolsky?
[Podolsky grunts]
[Kowalski] Good evening!
Detective, you need
to have a drink with me.
- Oh, no, no, no!
- Just one, between Poles.
- No.
- To Hitler's demise!
Just one.
You cannot live without love ♪
Even when one promises you heaven ♪
You can have everything
and still remain restless ♪
Without a little love
you simply cannot do ♪
- I can walk you back to the hotel.
- Yes, when she's done.
We'll finish talking at the hotel.
[woman continues singing]
[panting]
[thuds loudly]
[dog barking in distance]
[man] What the hell?
Sir?
Sir?
[men laughing]
[man] All right, gentlemen.
To our Leon.
- To Leon.
- To Leon.
To Leon.
[Kowalski clears throat]
[exhales, clears throat]
You're going to catch that perv, right?
[sighs] Yeah, let me have a drink first.
- [grunts]
- [men laughing]
[Podolsky chuckles]
[man 2] Okay. Let's pour.
[indistinct chatter]
[Podolsky] Uh, one more.
[men continue chattering]
One more.
[Himmler laughing]
That's enough for tonight, Detective.
[Podolsky] Hey, fuck off. [sniffles]
Fuck off, you fascist pig!
Heil Hitler!
[Podolsky sighs]
Himmler?
What are you doing?
Holtz, who is this?
Criminal Detective Franz Podolsky.
He's in charge
of the serial killer case?
Oh, you can feel safe Safe with us
[vomits]
[spits, grunts]
[coughs]
[sniffling]
- [exhales heavily]
- [Himmler laughing]
[glass shattering]