Homecoming drama: the banality of the absurd

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Stan Gold (Detlev Buck) is the name of a successful writer who has made a splash in Munster and is respected by the city. His book is about how he disappears in the jungles of Paraguay after a plane crash, lives with local residents for decades and, after an adventure of travel, manages to return to Germany. Now Münster’s finest society, and especially Professor Börne (Jan Josef Liefers), applaud him as he tries to secure a piece of eternity for himself as the patron sponsor of the annual Münster Literary Prize.

There seems to be something wrong with Stan Gold, as avid viewers of Tatort can see while sitting on a couch ten kilometers into the wind during the famous author’s first appearance. And indeed, Inspector Thiel (Axel Prahl) recognizes him: the real name of this man is Hotte Kozlowski, he once studied at the same school as Thiel. Now he lies half-dead in his hotel room – poisoned by bee venom, to which he is allergic. Attempted murder?

From the jungle to honesty

There could be anything in this scenario: the absurdities on which Münster’s Tatort always thrives, quirky characters such as the lovelorn literary agent who wants to make Berne the next star, even – theoretically – a bright story is not missing.

The fact that this episode still manages to seem extremely boring is probably because, on the one hand, it wanted too much – the jungle! A satire on the literary world! Returner drama! Unfulfilled love! – and then it all turns quite absurd. It’s a pity.

“Tatort”: “The Man Who Fell into the Jungle”, SRF 2, 20:05
Rating: Two and a half out of five.

Source: Blick