On Tuesday, March 4, 2025, RTL premiered its new crime series "Alpentod - Ein Bergland-Krimi" with the episode titled "Alte Wunden," showcasing the mysterious disappearance of eleven-year-old Leon Atanasov from the Edelshof children's home near Bad Wolfengrub. The series captures the attention of viewers with its compelling narrative entwined with heart-wrenching themes of loss and hope.
Commissioner Jonas Becker, portrayed by Tim Oliver Schultz, passionately leads the investigation, feeling personally connected to the case as he was once a resident of the same children's home. "It’s not just another case for me; it’s about finding my own past and protecting the future of these children," Becker reflects, as he unravels the threads of this complex disappearance.
Adding depth to the investigative team is ex-commissioner Birgit Reincke, played by Veronica Ferres, who returns to active duty after carrying the burden of her past failures. Five years ago, she had led another investigation involving the mysterious disappearance of eight-year-old Jennifer Petri from the same home, which still haunts her. "I thought I had left those shadows behind, but seeing Leon’s case resurface makes it all too real again," Reincke states, emphasizing her commitment to find closure.
Becker and Reincke are joined by Dr. Marie Sonnleitner, played by Salka Weber, who brings her expertise as a forensic archaeologist to the team. Her unique skills are instrumental as they track down clues, enabling the reporters to gain insights from the past and physically analyze the missing children’s environment for any evidence. "Understanding the space where these kids disappeared is key to solving the mystery. We need to figure out why certain places are significant," explains Dr. Sonnleitner.
The central storyline not only dives deep through the dynamics of the inter-agency collaboration but also explores the community's reactions to the disappearances. The atmosphere is charged with tension as Becker's findings point to possible connections between the two cases, compelling him to confront the ghosts of the past. Nonetheless, viewers are pulled through emotional highs and lows as parallel stories unearth deeply rooted societal issues concerning child safety and institutional accountability.
Set against the picturesque backdrop of the German-Austrian frontier, the scenery contrasts sharply with the dark themes of the series. Filming took place between August and October 2024, transitioning from sunny summer to damp, chilly autumn, which brought its own challenges for the cast and crew. Ferres reminisces, "We started filming in short sleeves during hot summer days, and by the end, we were all bundled up during the cold shoots. It was quite the transformation!"
Despite the show's promising premise, the narrative holds criticisms on the execution. The plot appears somewhat contrived and lacks sufficient depth to maintain suspense throughout the episode. The relationships between the characters—especially Reincke's reluctance to fully collaborate with Becker—feel forced at times, detracting from the potential emotional gravity of the case. "I wanted to see more collaboration instead of the usual friction typical of crime dramas," said one viewer reaction.
On the positive side, the performances of the actors bring some balance to the narrative shortcomings. Their portrayals lend weight to the investigation, capturing the audience's empathy, even if the storyline falters. With seasoned actors like Ferres anchoring the series and supporting roles from familiar talent, many viewers found this appealing.
The forensics aspect, though exciting and integral to the investigation, often felt overshadowed by the dramatics of character conflicts and backstories. "We rely on forensic analysis to drive the plot forward, but it also needs its moment to shine," Dr. Sonnleitner insists, reflecting on the importance of logic alongside emotional storytelling.
Comparatively, the series joins the ranks of other crime dramas airing on RTL, contributing to the network's emphasis on crime-solving narratives, yet still struggles to define its unique identity within this competitive genre. The future episode titled “Gemeinsame Ziele,” slated to air on March 11, 2025, will provide another opportunity for refinement.
Despite its flaws, "Alpentod" presents moments of visual beauty and engaging character dynamics worth noting. The series ambitiously endeavors to create engaging crime drama set against stunning Alpine sceneries, yet it will need to transcend its current issues for it to capture the hearts of avid crime drama fans. Viewers eager for developments will be watching closely to see how Becker, Reincke, and Sonnleitner navigate their challenges and develop their respective arcs as they search for answers and justice.
Overall, what remains palpable throughout the episode is the emotional weight of the story—the quest for lost children, the burden of guilt carried by dedicated detectives, and the relentless pursuit of justice, all presented within the chilling tones of crime fiction.