Lauchhammer - Tod in der Lausitz

A great story BUT one has to pay attention.

I left the show in German and read the subtitles in English.

The only character that I had a problem with was Annalena the cop who in charge of the murder investigation. When will script writers learn how to write for a successful, accomplished women without her coming across as less than/a bit@#. The detective is well versed in policy and procedures BUT does not get along with others. She is not a team player. At times she comes across as a bully and can come across as bias in her thought process. Towards the end of the 6th episode this was addressed. All in all she has little compassion and is all about results. And what's with asking point blank a subordinate for sex and stating that no feelings will be involved.

The other lead detective Maik is going back to his home town to conduct the murder investigation and with it comes all his baggage that he has put behind him.

I loved the filming of the series. The music. The flashbacks.

If you love a good mystery, want something non formulaic, this a good choice.

This was a good watch on a rainy afternoon. Kept my attention, it was engaging, it was interesting. I felt that the first three episodes were really set up to draw the audience in. Lots of interesting (and different) ideas and characters. Lots of backstory in flashbacks on the lead man Maik, and lots of questions - even intrigue - was Maik a killer?? And great family drama with an interesting father and brother.

The side story with the dead girls little brother held my interest as well. Also the ex-wife and her boyfriend storyline could have been drawn out some more, it was interesting. So for all the lead-up to what should have been a good climax, and enough drama from the past to pack a powerful ending, the last two episodes just felt a little lack-luster. And the abduction in the last few minutes seems a little thrown in. Probably a different person should have been abducted, seemed unbelievable and didn't really fit with the story line. Unnecessary. So for this reason I give it six stars. And the last thing that I thought was a little unnecessary, Was the attire of the leading lady. Um, Aren't you a police officer? Where is your uniform, lady? When everyone else is wearing jackets and long sleeves, a tank top seemed ridiculous. In... Every... Scene. Like I said, this was a rainy days binge watch for me, and I enjoyed it.

This series is interesting enough to watch, but unfortunately is not told in a very coherent manner. The scenes do not flow in a manner that enables viewers to understand the events. There is little context provided so the dots do not always connect up in a way to produce a smoothly flowing narrative. Some scenes just seem to be out of sequence and irrelevant to the main plot. The constant use of flashbacks at very awkward moments is distracting and confusing. The series is watchable but does tend to drag a bit. It is the lack of connectivity between the scenes that make the series incomprehensible at times!

This six part series is set in what was a coal mining area of East Germany; now the mining has stopped and there are plans to attract tourists by converting the huge pits into lakes. As the story opens the body of a teenage girl is found on the shore of one of these lakes. Maik Briegand, a local man who now works for the national police force leads to investigation with new partner Annalena Gottknecht. There are quite a few suspects; the homeless man who found the body, her boyfriend, a local policeman who is involved with her mother, a property developer and a group of environmental campaigners based in nearby woods.

I thought this was a solid murder mystery that is told effectively. Key characters are quickly introduced as the investigation gets underway. Good use is made of the fact that this used to be East Germany with older residents missing the certainty of a job in the mine while younger people want nothing to do with polluting coal. There are enough suspects to keep one guessing right till the final reveal. The cast does a solid job. Overall a decent murder mystery set in an interesting location, worth watching if you enjoy the genre.

These comments are based on watching the series in German with English subtitles.

An intriguing post-GDR thriller with a good, though depressing, atmosphere. After a girl is murdered the plot slowly develops towards a rather unexpected end. The former GDR political culture is nicely intertwined with the current atmosphere in the former Eastern Germany and with the former coal industry there. An intelligent crime story that at times may get you a little lost, but always timely returns on to the right track. If you're into crime mystery, intrigue within a depressing atmosphere that seems to hold no hope for anyone, then this is definitely for you. Do not expect a fast paced thriller. The story needs six episodes to unfold. Photography, dialogues, acting and scenario are decent, not special, but good enough. The only aspects that seems out of place are some of the theme songs. O right, the scenes filmed in driving cars are technically very poor. Not every series can have 10 stars.