Ballauf and Schenk have been investigating in and around Cologne for a quarter of a century. To celebrate the day, a couple of top-notch guest actors do the honors - and the inspectors have to solve a case that actually would have been better suited to the '90s.
What is happening?
Lara (Charlotte Lorenzen) and Kim (Greta Bohacek) dream of a better life. Unfortunately with the help of heroin, which is not a good idea per se. Because the two of them also finance their addiction through prostitution on the streets, the catastrophe is virtually inevitable: One morning, Lara's corpse floats in the flood basin of the Cologne edge canal, covered with traces of a rape.
Despite their many years of experience, inspectors Ballauf (Klaus J. Behrendt) and Schenk (Dietmar Bär) are upset by the cruelty of the crime. They throw themselves into the investigation and are soon on the trail of the two girls' pimp (Robert Stadlober). What is missing are only reliable traces, of which there should actually be a lot. But of all things, the otherwise reliable and resourceful forensic scientist Förster (Tinka Fürst) has misfires this time - and takes the matter very personally.
What is it really about?
What you see is what you get: Ballauf and Schenk are also investigating their 25th service anniversary in the well-known crime story style, the actual case has no double bottom. Depending on what you expect, you might find it pleasantly familiar or a bit boring. However, the side story about Sidekick Förster seems very attached.
Zapp-Moment?
The chamber play-like introductory scene between the heavily suspected caravan hirer and forensic technician Förster hurts terribly when you watch it and shows that even an exceptional actor like Josef Hader cannot allude to a mediocre script.
Wow-Factor?
The path of the corpse through a system of canals filled with reddish-brown water to a flood basin is staged very nicely with great tracking shots - a real "trail of blood".
How was it?
5.5 out of 10 points. The "Trail of Blood" has its exciting moments, but suffers from disastrously written dialogues and a chaotic structure. Less would have been a lot more here, anniversary or not.
