Die Toten vom Bodensee

The series is somewhat entertaining but suffers from very choppy editing and a low level of production, probably due to a very limited budget. The editing moves the episodes along too quickly so a certain amount of continuity is lost. It's a good addition to a streaming queue when there's not much else to watch.

I live in the states and always enjoy watching foreign series that include history, culture, scenery, and traditions of the area. Makes me want to book a flight to the lake area. The two detectives relationship is confusing for many who haven't worked in law enforcement. It's good to have your partner a trusted friend, confidant, and not cross the line getting romantically involved. I truly hope that doesn't happen in Season 3. As far as family "drama" that a reviewer complained about, I think it's important to know more about each character. Life is difficult and it doesn't matter what line of work a person chooses. Oberlander gets snarky and for good reason as people try to control his decisions and time. I'm annoyed at the way many of law enforcement wives are portrayed. They aren't able to accept what the job entails time-wise. They knew going in, right? Zeiler is cool headed professionally but a mess socially. In Season 2, I can't stand her new manfriend, so I'm heading into Season 3 hoping she kicks him to the curb. The individual mysteries are fascinating as the plot thickens it's hard to figure out "who done it!"

The show does a good job of capturing the atmosphere of Lake Constance. The mysteries combine history and folklore with local color-wine-making, fishing, forestry or other activities in that area. Lake Constance is almost an uncredited character in the show. The chemistry between the driven and frigid Frau Zeiler and the sloppier, more relaxed Herr Oberlander works, even if it isn't entirely original. No, she is not Saga from "The Bridge," but I'm not sure that comparison is apt; she has different reasons for being the way she is. I do like the fact that each episode features a new case, with a background story connecting them all.

I do have issues with Season 2. While it continues to make good use of Lake Constance and German history and folklore, it's a bit more of a soap opera than Season 1. Too much melodrama, not enough mystery. I'm only three episodes in, though, so it may improve.

I hope that there are more episodes in Season 2 because only 3 have shown up so far on mHz. I'm a big fan of the show. Really like the characters, the actors, and the setting. I'm studying German online which is why this show caught my attention, but so glad to have found it.

First episode was so bad-with all the patently absurd "Celtic lore," and a female lead who seems to be a poor parody of Saga Noren from Bron/The Bridge-that I won't watch another. I did not believe a single character or actor in the episode. A trifecta of bad acting, writing, and directing.