In the latest Schwarzwald Tatort episode 'Der Reini', a pharmacist is shot while Commissioner Tobler attends a leadership training. Commissioner Berg grapples with concerns about his brother Reinhard, who escapes from a psychiatric clinic. The episode highlights workplace dynamics and a family secret.
The episode 'Der Reini', directed by Robert Thalheim and written by Bernd Lange, opens with the shooting of a pharmacist. Commissioner Tobler, played by Eva Löbau, is at a leadership training course, straining her relationship with colleague Berg (Hans-Jochen Wagner). Berg is preoccupied with worries about his brother Reinhard, known as Reini, who is in a psychiatric institution.
A doctor from the clinic tries to reach Berg by phone, as Reini has escaped with his schizophrenic girlfriend Mika and the sociopath Luke. Luke had promised Reini money to start a new life in Morocco. The young investigator Ella Pauls, portrayed by Luise Aschenbrenner, is overwhelmed at the crime scene and calls Tobler and Berg, but reaches them only partially due to a signal dead zone.
Berg advises Pauls to make decisions and take action in such situations. Tobler cuts the training short, unable to focus, and later organizes the case leads at the station. The episode is praised for its clever depiction of workplace relationships between seasoned and young colleagues, including the demands of leadership roles. It also reveals Berg's family secret and presents a memorable crime villain.
Costume design is by Maxi Munzert, makeup by Claudia Koch and Seidl. The plot skillfully distracts from the body and builds tension as a thriller.