Secretly hidden, concealed from public view, or operating illegally.
The Audience Holds the Upper Hand This Time
The audience has the upper hand in Münster: they know who orchestrated the murder of the shrewd lawyer. This advantage puts "Man Dies Only Twice" at a disadvantage.
What Occurs?
Verdict in Münster Court: Doreen Praetorius (Cordelia Wege) is granted a substantial 3.5 million euros, along with interest, from her late husband's life insurance. Oskar Weintraub (Nils Brunkhorst), her counsel, has fought tirelessly for this for years, but now that it's official, it turns out that Jonas Praetorius (Christian Erdmann), the said husband, isn't dead or lost in the jungle, and instead, he's hiding in the basement of his own bungalow. His staged death was intended to boost the family's income.
However, everything changes when Weintraub stumbles upon the Praetorius' secret and meets an unfortunate end, impaled by one of the numerous souvenirs and exhibits that make the couple's home resemble a fancy version of Harry's Hamburg harbor bazaar. When Professor Boerne (Jan Josef Liefers) makes a discovery in his lab – not on the body, but on the sculpture that pierced the lawyer's solar plexus – the residents of Münster realize something isn't right.
What's the Actual Tale?
At its heart, it's a tale of insurance fraud, a crime even academics are not immune to, as Boerne explains at the beginning of the 46th Münster case. That he explains it so close to the Praetorius verdict can be tolerated. The problem lies in the fact that the author, Sascha Arango, follows the Columbo principle: the crime is shown, then the audience follows the investigation. "I chose the open narrative; it has dramatic advantages and disadvantages," Arango says. "The advantages outweigh the disadvantages. The audience sees the crime and knows the background, allowing for more exploration of the criminal's psyche while the investigation tightens around their neck."
There was potential, from the chilling home bunker to the Praetorius' marital dynamics to Thiel's ideal woman fantasy, but the story never quite comes together, instead meandering through scenarios, knowing the audience already knows the outcome. The revelation that Praetorius wasn't an adventurous archaeologist but more akin to Baron Münchhausen barely saves it. Then again, maybe a pineapple-topped pizza would have been better...
Skip This Moment?
When Boerne mimics the Kookaburra's call or sings an aria from the opera he missed due to the case, it's tough on the ears.
Wow Factor?
"Du kriegst die Tür nicht zu. – Die schließen automatisch."
Those who chuckle at such exchanges might offer a thumbs up. For others, it's more of an "Ouch" than a "Wow".
How Was It?
3 out of 10 points - "You watch it once."
The ARD, known for their critically acclaimed series, faces backlash for failing to keep audiences engaged in "Man Dies Only Twice," despite its intriguing premise. The audience's displeasure towards the series is evident in online forums and social media platforms, with many expressing their disappointment in the ARD's latest production.
