Deutschland 86 (2018): Season 1, Episode 1 - Tar Baby - full transcript
Banished for his sins in 1983, Martin wallows in limbo until his Aunt Lenora conscripts him into her plan to drum up hard currency abroad.
Due to continued violent uprising
in townships and union protests,
Cape Town, South Africa, 1986
which threaten the fundamental
security of South Africa,
President Botha has extended
the state of emergency
until peace and order can be restored,
allowing the president to rule by decree,
impose curfews, limit political gatherings
and heighten the power of the military,
in the best interests
of South African citizens.
Not a chance.
The trade union is on strike.
Our shipment's stuck in customs.
Nothing we can do.
Can we bribe someone?
Not before noon.
What will you do?
Tell DeGraaf the truth.
General DeGraaf is
waiting for you in plain clothes at Dock 9.
So the South African Army
is being more careful now?
No. Just smarter.
This better work, or I'm done here.
There they are.
If need be, I'll back us out quickly.
It'll be fine.
General DeGraaf.
-Good to see you again.
-And you.
It's always a pleasure
to work with a South African army general.
Unfortunately,
there has been a change of plans.
Your shipment arrived this morning.
Würfel & Struth's latest technology.
But it's being held in port.
The union is on strike.
It's out of my hands.
Have a look.
We coined your delivery
as high-pressure industrial pipes
with electronic pressure valves,
so that you're in the clear.
There's no signature from the FRG.
This deal is off the record.
We won't be informing your friends
at the United Nations about it,
but the shipment is too big to do without.
Get me the signature
of a West German representative.
I'll guarantee the shipment myself.
You? Are you planning to demo
the latest technology yourself, are you?
Bring me the correct paperwork
and my missiles under your arm, Ms. Neid.
And bring your man from Würfel & Struth
to show us how to use them.
That is very difficult.
You're German.
What happened to Prussian virtues?
Sanctions or not,
every God-fearing capitalist on earth
is ready
to give me killing machines
in the name of democracy.
Yours isn't the only offer on the table.
Get back to me in 72 hours,
or I'll go with the Americans.
You look pale.
It's winter in Germany.
The cold season with snow, remember?
Introduce me to the new Trade Commissioner
at the West German Embassy.
Never any foreplay with you...
Who are you reporting to in Berlin?
Annett Schneider.
Annett Schneider.
She can't even tie her own shoes yet.
She gave me a message for you.
From Fuchs. Blow another deal here
and you're coming home. Forever.
I need that Trade Commissioner.
And one more thing:
I hate to say it, but... I need a man.
For the Würfel & Struth deal.
No way. I'm here representing
West German Parliament!
Not East German intelligence!
How about...
No, no way.
So, he's still alive?
Destroy white South Africa
and our influence in the subcontinent
of southern Africa
and this country will drift
into chaos and poverty
The situation in South
Africa has deteriorated dramatically.
Almost 800 people have died
in the struggle so far.
Many seriously injured people,
a burning slum,
20,000 new homeless people...
The most serious clashes
the country has experienced
since the State of Emergency
was declared...
The harder the police hit
back at black protestors,
the worse it is for
the apartheid regime's reputation.
Therefore, I'm signing an executive order
that will put in place a set of measures
designed and aimed against
the machinery of Apartheid,
without indiscriminately punishing the
people who are victims of that system.
East German president Honecker met with
ANC leader Oliver Tambo
for friendly exchange.
East Germany has become
identified with a struggle.
HVA - East German Foreign Intelligence
Service HQ East Berlin, East Germany
Comrades! I don't have to tell you
that our East German Republic
is facing unprecedented
economic challenges.
We're deep in debt to the West,
and the East German mark
is worthless internationally.
We must bring in hard currency.
Or we're doomed, Comrades.
Let me introduce you
to our colleague from
Commercial Coordination ,
Mrs. Dietrich.
Like Marlene.
We've already significantly reduced the
average age of this board
with our Young Professionals Program.
Now Mrs. Dietrich will help us
to develop a new business initiative.
I like to think of it as a
"Special Commission."
Not unlike the classified missions
you spies are usually up to.
Our work here will also be
classified top secret.
But rather than simply gathering data,
we will look for new ways to
turn that data into... profit.
East Germany is expensive.
And that's not because we're greedy.
It's because equality is expensive.
Our ideals are expensive,
and it's up to government organizations
such as ours
to support these ideals efficiently.
Because Moscow is abandoning us?
Comrade...
Schneider.
Comrade Schneider.
If your neighbor decides
to tear off her wallpaper,
just for a change of scenery,
does that mean that you do the same?
Well...
I'd only change my wallpaper if...
if I was deeply convinced of
the advantages of doing so.
With this Special Commission,
the HVA will fund companies
licensed to do business internationally
and bring in new streams
of hard currency from abroad.
It sounds like you're
talking about Capitalism.
Comrade Schneider!
I'm talking about defending this country
by any means necessary.
I'll keep a close eye on the numbers.
Be warned: the numbers never lie.
The numbers go up... we survive.
The numbers go down... we go under.
Comrade Fuchs,
can I speak with you a moment?
Yes.
I don't think we've had the pleasure...
Correct.
See you tomorrow?
Yes, certainly.
Who was that?
Barbara Dietrich from KoKo.
I met her on the South Africa project.
Now we're heading up an
integrated business initiative.
She calls it a "Special Commission."
She's very, very efficient.
Efficient.
That means she makes
the most of given resources.
Or rather: she achieves
defined goals with minimum means.
She'll change East Germany completely.
I see.
I would love to be on this
"Special Commission."
Walter, how many times
have we been over this?
I had to demote you after...
That was 1983! It's been three years.
Our country faces grave economic crisis.
I want to be part of the solution!
Please.
Comrade Schneider
will head up a pharmaceutical unit.
What?
But I want Comrade Schneider
to remain in charge. Got it?
Markus, I recruited Ms. Schneider.
And I promoted her to the inner circle.
Baby steps, Walter.
Cape Town on the secure line.
Tell me where you're keeping him.
Who?
Damn it, Walter. This deal is crucial.
Our survival depends on it!
I am no longer privy to such
important matters, as you know.
But you know where he is.
Let me guess: Mozambique?
-Angola?
-This is too risky for me.
Have you seen the news?
We can't count on Moscow anymore!
You need this cash from Cape Town.
Glad you're worried
about those you left behind.
I live here.
No sun,
no palm trees.
I need him.
We need him.
My success
is your success, Walter.
I'll bring you in from the sidelines.
Back into the real game!
I need to think about it.
Think fast.
East German Orphanage,
Cuanza Norte, Angola
Martin...
Martin, please.
We sent you here for your own protection.
The only person I've ever needed
to be protected from is you!
Where can we speak privately?
Nowhere.
Maybe you haven't noticed yet,
but I'm being well guarded here.
Martin!
Come on, play with me.
Wait, Roberto.
No, I have to talk to this lady first.
Who's this?
My aunt.
Aunt from East Germany?
I guess so. I'll be right with you, OK?
That boy speaks terrific German.
All our classes here are in German.
I'm impressed.
You're doing East Germany
a great service...
Don't even start!
You just had to lay low for a while.
Three years.
I could have done that in Kleinmachnow.
Dangerous people were after you, Martin.
Didn't we build the Wall
to keep "dangerous people" out?
What did you expect? You blew your cover
as an agent in the West.
I saved all your asses.
The BND, CIA and every secret service
in the world was after you,
and frankly, this place is paradise
compared to an East German prison.
Paradise? This?
Did Annett send you this?
My mother's letters are forwarded to me.
Your Max is such a sweet boy.
You know him?
I met him once.
Tell me.
Well...
he had a blue toy train.
The rails were all over the carpet.
We pretended to
travel the Trans-Siberian Railway...
No.
What do you mean, no?
No. You've never met him.
That was my blue toy train.
You and I pretended
to travel around the world.
Really?
Could be.
Come in, boys.
Come on, let's play Risiko.
You've no chance this time.
It's more fun with four players.
Want to play?
You can have North America.
What?
North America, everyone wants it.
Only two borders to defend.
That's why Americans
don't understand the world.
They only speak one language,
but think they're the best.
You have to conquer as many countries
as possible and then defend them.
I'll start.
By rolling the dice.
Red for attack.
Give me a six!
I love them.
Come on, Roberto, get them all.
Any moment now?
I'll take Europe.
Damn it!
Ha! All for me.
I'll take your Afghanistan, Madame.
Fine.
Come to Cape Town with me, Martin.
Roberto?
Keep playing for me and don't lose, OK?
Why?
I need someone I can trust.
Just for a few days.
I've heard that before.
If you'd prefer to stay here,
I'll leave you in peace.
I, however, will keep fighting.
For our cause.
Fine.
On one condition:
I can return to Kleinmachnow, to Max.
Naturally.
I already talked to Fuchs.
If all goes to plan,
he guarantees your return to East Germany,
with all privileges.
You must really be desperate.
When will you be back?
Don't leave me alone again.
We'll write to each other.
I hate you, Martin.
Kleinmachnow, East Germany
Sorry, we had a big day at the office.
Come in.
Thanks.
He could just sleep here tonight
if it helps you, Annett.
But you already have him every Sunday.
I have time for him now.
Yes...
I do have an important meeting tonight.
I was going to bring him with me, but...
Well, then.
Thank you.
Cape Town, South Africa
Put this on.
-Why?
-Do it.
Pull it low over your face.
-You have a driver?
-Get in.
Stop.
Drive on, drive on.
This is Rose Seithathi. Slickest
secret operative south of the equator.
I'm a soldier in Nelson Mandela's
ANC army, Umkhonto we Sizwe.
We're fighting apartheid
in South Africa.
The African National Congress
is an ally of East Germany.
Our leadership is in prison, like Mandela.
Or in exile in Zambia, Zimbabwe,
Angola and Europe.
Just a few of us are still
in Cape Town, undercover.
We'll join forces to wage revolution.
And what's my role here?
You'll be a salesman for the West German
weapon manufacturer Würfel & Struth.
First for the West German
Trade Commissioner,
then for the buyers.
We're selling weapons?
West German weapons?
Where'd you get them?
-Let's say they fell off a truck.
-Who's the buyer?
SADF. South African army.
The United Nations
has sanctions against that!
Yes. That's why they need us.
As middlemen.
Wait. In a deal between West Germany
and the Apartheid regime?
Between our worst enemies?
And you're in on this?
In support of my East German Comrades.
We need each other.
Again: Why?
Money.
You haven't been home
for three years, Martin.
You have no idea
how things are in East Germany.
Gorbachev is about
to give up on the Warsaw Pact.
We can't pay our debts to West Germany.
We have shortages of meat,
coal and even vegetables.
Power outages, scarce medical supplies...
Our state is bankrupt.
People are almost starving.
Border Restaurant for Western Tourists
East Berlin, East Germany
Abracadabra.
What is that?
A miracle.
Has it been clinically tested at all?
Yeah, on mice.
Then I had the idea
to run a human trial over here.
Where else in the world
could we find a control group like this?
An isolated population of human beings
genetically identical to our customers?
As if they put up the Wall just for us.
Mr. Amend. Our people may be
genetically identical, yes.
But we're much healthier
than the West Germans.
Thinner, fitter
and drug free.
No one here is injecting heroin,
or sleeping on the streets
or eating fast food.
I've noticed.
And yet, you rely almost entirely
on brown coal for heat.
Which means that East Germany has a
very high number of individuals
suffering from Chronic Obstructive
Pulmonary Disease.
So your little miracle cures
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease?
You can't cure it.
Thank God!
Why thank God?
So we can sell this drug to our customers
for a very long time.
Hey, that's enough!
You're guests in this country.
Be respectful.
My department is testing a medicine
that treats symptoms of AIDS.
The gay disease?
Huge potential market.
We don't have AIDS in East Germany.
Right, of course not.
The check, please!
After eight weeks, and only if you
complete the entire eight week period,
we'll pay your organization
58,000 Deutschmarks.
West Marks.
Keep the change.
Yeah?
Our very own Boris.
-Boris Becker, heard of him?
-I can't play tennis.
You won't have to.
The Winkelmanns play at Cape Western Sun
every Thursday.
You'll meet them at 4 p.m.
Frank Winkelmann is
West Germany's Trade Commissioner.
We need his signature to get
the weapons for DeGraaf out of customs.
Why would a West German diplomat
sign anything for us?
We're West Germans, too.
And I'll wrap him around my finger
while you distract his wife.
It's the only way.
DeGraaf awaits us today at 7 p.m.
You need a better disguise.
Try these.
Better.
Listen up.
South Africa's Apartheid regime
may be under UN embargo,
but the West needs South Africa
as an ally against Communism.
The Americans, Israelis, Western Europe
and West Germany deliver weapons
to the South African Army
for the fight against Communist Angola.
In Angola, West-supported UNITA rebels,
supported by the West,
fight against the Communist MPLA.
It's a classic proxy war.
And where do you and Mandela stand?
At the ANC we are allies of the USSR,
East Germany and the MPLA in Angola.
But our goal is clear...
Freedom.
Good.
So basically...
West, East.
Who are the good guys?
Once again:
Biggest German-speaking pop star?
Falco.
National coach?
The Kaiser.
The most beloved US TV series
in West Germany?
A soap opera, Dallas.
No.
Dynasty, right?
A decadent tragedy
about newly rich Americans.
Just look at that!
Don't worry, you're well disguised.
Who would recognize me here?
The world is smaller than you think.
Maybe, but this is another planet.
There's Winkelmann.
I'll get the signature.
And you take care of his wife.
Let's go.
Sorry, Madame.
I think you've dropped something.
It's mine indeed.
Thank you, that is so very kind of you.
Frank Winkelmann from
the German embassy.
So we can speak German.
Ramona Neid, Tschauder Logistics.
-My wife Brigitte.
-Hello.
My client Marcus Herring
from Würfel & Struth.
Pleasure.
Würfel & Struth?
Yes, sales management.
Well, well!
A wonderful day for tennis.
Every day here
is a wonderful day for tennis.
Too many people only see
the negative side of South Africa.
You're right.
Thank God there's places like this
where you can forget all the misery.
Would you care for a fantastic lemonade?
Shall we?
Yeah, sure!
This way.
I probably shouldn't even
be seen with you.
I won't lie to you, the sanctions
are a pain in the ass.
I see the South Africans as our allies.
And Würfel & Struth
makes the world's best weapons.
How our customers use them
is their business.
-Guns don't kill people...
-...people kill people.
-Ha, ha!
-Yeah!
The Communists are banging on our door.
Both here and back home in West Germany.
And you know what Reagan
says about the "Domino Effect".
Horrible.
Especially when you hear
how East Germans are suffering.
Yeah.
We're lucky to be living
on the right side of the Wall.
Indeed.
Say, who's that talent over there?
He plays divinely.
Peter Van de Vetering.
Our cover. Come with me.
Most people just come here for fun.
I'm reading a novel by an East German
dissident who was sold to the West.
This guy organizes
a secret library in East Berlin
and has an affair with a beautiful girl
who's pregnant with someone else's baby.
Then it turns out she works for the Stasi!
THE NAKED TRUTH
It's a big hit in West Germany.
Everyone reads it for the sex scenes.
Sounds exciting.
You can keep it.
Really?
It's nice to meet
an arms dealer who reads novels.
Well, thanks.
Allow me.
One second.
Sorry, it's trickier than I thought.
The bureaucracy here is insane.
Our shipment's stuck in customs,
now there's the strike...
Contact my office.
Or help me now. Just sign here...
Please. Call my office. Thanks.
-Thanks.
-You're welcome.
I think we should go, it's getting
chilly here. Shall we pay?
Check please!
You want to take this?
Surely you have a nice expense account
at Würfel & Struth?
I do. But as an embassy representative,
you might not want to be taken out
by a West German arms dealer.
Then I'll pay privately.
I'm preparing for a visit
at the embassy.
Left-wing parliamentarians from home.
They mean nothing but trouble.
My husband carries
the weight of the world on his back.
I just think about teeth.
Thanks.
Nice to meet you.
-Thanks.
-All the best.
See you, Mr. and Mrs. Winkelmann.
See you.
Bye.
Oh, I'm sorry. My fault.
Is this what we pay you to do here, boy?
Make a mess?
I'm sorry.
Come, quickly!
What did you do?
Clean it up. Clean up the shit!
I'm so sorry.
Potsdam Hospital, East Germany
How are your girls, Tina?
Good. Growing like crazy.
I grew up with Tina
and her brother Thomas.
I was Ms. Schneider's babysitter.
Babysitter?
There must be
a nice German word for that, right?
Of course.
Thomas Posimski is your brother?
-Yes.
-How's he doing?
Surely you haven't had
any contact with him
since he betrayed our country
and moved to the West?
No, of course not.
I hear he wrote an erotic novel.
It's a huge bestseller over there!
I don't know anything about that.
Of course not. How could you?
Finally, Dr. Albrecht.
Excuse me.
Here, the documents.
-Thank you.
-So, here we go.
-Thank you.
-You're welcome.
-Here you go.
-Thank you.
It's an honor for us to participate
in international research.
And we're very proud
that two excellent doctors
are serving East Germany like this.
-Yes.
-Cheers.
How are you faring?
Doctor, it's so cold.
-I'll tell the nurse.
-Thanks.
Kleinmachnow, East Germany
And in you get.
Sweet dreams.
Good night, Mommy.
THE NAKED TRUTH
Cape Town Harbor, South Africa
Mr. Marcus Herring from Würfel & Struth,
as requested.
Good evening, Sir.
Good to meet you.
Let's not waste
our precious time on niceties.
Here are the copies
of the end-user certificates
for your signatures, gentlemen.
The tube comes pre-loaded from the
factory. The missile is already in it.
It is single use.
This is the firing and arming unit.
It's reusable,
with a fresh tube of course.
Battery and cooling unit goes in here.
Now it's fully assembled.
The missile has a 3 kg hit-to-kill warhead
with an impact fuse.
She feels nice.
You wanna try?
These are perfect.
Then we're going to blow the whole
fucking refinery in Cuanza Norte!
Cuanza Norte?
In Angola?
Boom!
Let me show you how to handle it first.
You can aim manually
or set it for infrared
or ultraviolet guiding.
Just push here,
look through the sight,
find your target,
operate the arming switch,
wait for the sound to come,
and fire.
Martin!
Run!
Run!
Let's all be reasonable and do as I say.
Open up.
Let's get out of here.
Here.
That's it, Martin.
You're going back to the orphanage in
Cuanza Norte.
Hundreds of children
live in that orphanage.
They'll all die
if the refinery blows up!
-You want to be responsible for that?
-Dammit! This isn't about you,
or about your family and friends!
We're in a geopolitical crisis.
This is about the preservation
of our state, its goals,
and the future of millions of people!
You...
You can't see beyond
the end of your own nose.
You're so cynical, you know that?
You're using Socialism
to justify a bloody deal!
Where are you going?
Away from here.
If you leave now,
you'll never see East Germany again,
nor your son.
You know that, right?
We'd all better leave South Africa
as soon as possible.
They'll surely come after us.
If we need money so badly
that we're illegally selling weapons,
then at least let's sell them
to the right side.
-The right side?
-Yes.
Which one is that?
The ANC is in exile.
There's no client here
but the South African Army.
Then we'll sell them abroad.
To the MPLA refinery in Angola.
They'll pay us the same.
The guards who watch that place?
I know them, I can get us inside.
I don't trust you.
I don't trust you, either.
THE BLACK CHANNEL
Good evening, dear viewers.
THE LOVE BOAT
in townships and union protests,
Cape Town, South Africa, 1986
which threaten the fundamental
security of South Africa,
President Botha has extended
the state of emergency
until peace and order can be restored,
allowing the president to rule by decree,
impose curfews, limit political gatherings
and heighten the power of the military,
in the best interests
of South African citizens.
Not a chance.
The trade union is on strike.
Our shipment's stuck in customs.
Nothing we can do.
Can we bribe someone?
Not before noon.
What will you do?
Tell DeGraaf the truth.
General DeGraaf is
waiting for you in plain clothes at Dock 9.
So the South African Army
is being more careful now?
No. Just smarter.
This better work, or I'm done here.
There they are.
If need be, I'll back us out quickly.
It'll be fine.
General DeGraaf.
-Good to see you again.
-And you.
It's always a pleasure
to work with a South African army general.
Unfortunately,
there has been a change of plans.
Your shipment arrived this morning.
Würfel & Struth's latest technology.
But it's being held in port.
The union is on strike.
It's out of my hands.
Have a look.
We coined your delivery
as high-pressure industrial pipes
with electronic pressure valves,
so that you're in the clear.
There's no signature from the FRG.
This deal is off the record.
We won't be informing your friends
at the United Nations about it,
but the shipment is too big to do without.
Get me the signature
of a West German representative.
I'll guarantee the shipment myself.
You? Are you planning to demo
the latest technology yourself, are you?
Bring me the correct paperwork
and my missiles under your arm, Ms. Neid.
And bring your man from Würfel & Struth
to show us how to use them.
That is very difficult.
You're German.
What happened to Prussian virtues?
Sanctions or not,
every God-fearing capitalist on earth
is ready
to give me killing machines
in the name of democracy.
Yours isn't the only offer on the table.
Get back to me in 72 hours,
or I'll go with the Americans.
You look pale.
It's winter in Germany.
The cold season with snow, remember?
Introduce me to the new Trade Commissioner
at the West German Embassy.
Never any foreplay with you...
Who are you reporting to in Berlin?
Annett Schneider.
Annett Schneider.
She can't even tie her own shoes yet.
She gave me a message for you.
From Fuchs. Blow another deal here
and you're coming home. Forever.
I need that Trade Commissioner.
And one more thing:
I hate to say it, but... I need a man.
For the Würfel & Struth deal.
No way. I'm here representing
West German Parliament!
Not East German intelligence!
How about...
No, no way.
So, he's still alive?
Destroy white South Africa
and our influence in the subcontinent
of southern Africa
and this country will drift
into chaos and poverty
The situation in South
Africa has deteriorated dramatically.
Almost 800 people have died
in the struggle so far.
Many seriously injured people,
a burning slum,
20,000 new homeless people...
The most serious clashes
the country has experienced
since the State of Emergency
was declared...
The harder the police hit
back at black protestors,
the worse it is for
the apartheid regime's reputation.
Therefore, I'm signing an executive order
that will put in place a set of measures
designed and aimed against
the machinery of Apartheid,
without indiscriminately punishing the
people who are victims of that system.
East German president Honecker met with
ANC leader Oliver Tambo
for friendly exchange.
East Germany has become
identified with a struggle.
HVA - East German Foreign Intelligence
Service HQ East Berlin, East Germany
Comrades! I don't have to tell you
that our East German Republic
is facing unprecedented
economic challenges.
We're deep in debt to the West,
and the East German mark
is worthless internationally.
We must bring in hard currency.
Or we're doomed, Comrades.
Let me introduce you
to our colleague from
Commercial Coordination ,
Mrs. Dietrich.
Like Marlene.
We've already significantly reduced the
average age of this board
with our Young Professionals Program.
Now Mrs. Dietrich will help us
to develop a new business initiative.
I like to think of it as a
"Special Commission."
Not unlike the classified missions
you spies are usually up to.
Our work here will also be
classified top secret.
But rather than simply gathering data,
we will look for new ways to
turn that data into... profit.
East Germany is expensive.
And that's not because we're greedy.
It's because equality is expensive.
Our ideals are expensive,
and it's up to government organizations
such as ours
to support these ideals efficiently.
Because Moscow is abandoning us?
Comrade...
Schneider.
Comrade Schneider.
If your neighbor decides
to tear off her wallpaper,
just for a change of scenery,
does that mean that you do the same?
Well...
I'd only change my wallpaper if...
if I was deeply convinced of
the advantages of doing so.
With this Special Commission,
the HVA will fund companies
licensed to do business internationally
and bring in new streams
of hard currency from abroad.
It sounds like you're
talking about Capitalism.
Comrade Schneider!
I'm talking about defending this country
by any means necessary.
I'll keep a close eye on the numbers.
Be warned: the numbers never lie.
The numbers go up... we survive.
The numbers go down... we go under.
Comrade Fuchs,
can I speak with you a moment?
Yes.
I don't think we've had the pleasure...
Correct.
See you tomorrow?
Yes, certainly.
Who was that?
Barbara Dietrich from KoKo.
I met her on the South Africa project.
Now we're heading up an
integrated business initiative.
She calls it a "Special Commission."
She's very, very efficient.
Efficient.
That means she makes
the most of given resources.
Or rather: she achieves
defined goals with minimum means.
She'll change East Germany completely.
I see.
I would love to be on this
"Special Commission."
Walter, how many times
have we been over this?
I had to demote you after...
That was 1983! It's been three years.
Our country faces grave economic crisis.
I want to be part of the solution!
Please.
Comrade Schneider
will head up a pharmaceutical unit.
What?
But I want Comrade Schneider
to remain in charge. Got it?
Markus, I recruited Ms. Schneider.
And I promoted her to the inner circle.
Baby steps, Walter.
Cape Town on the secure line.
Tell me where you're keeping him.
Who?
Damn it, Walter. This deal is crucial.
Our survival depends on it!
I am no longer privy to such
important matters, as you know.
But you know where he is.
Let me guess: Mozambique?
-Angola?
-This is too risky for me.
Have you seen the news?
We can't count on Moscow anymore!
You need this cash from Cape Town.
Glad you're worried
about those you left behind.
I live here.
No sun,
no palm trees.
I need him.
We need him.
My success
is your success, Walter.
I'll bring you in from the sidelines.
Back into the real game!
I need to think about it.
Think fast.
East German Orphanage,
Cuanza Norte, Angola
Martin...
Martin, please.
We sent you here for your own protection.
The only person I've ever needed
to be protected from is you!
Where can we speak privately?
Nowhere.
Maybe you haven't noticed yet,
but I'm being well guarded here.
Martin!
Come on, play with me.
Wait, Roberto.
No, I have to talk to this lady first.
Who's this?
My aunt.
Aunt from East Germany?
I guess so. I'll be right with you, OK?
That boy speaks terrific German.
All our classes here are in German.
I'm impressed.
You're doing East Germany
a great service...
Don't even start!
You just had to lay low for a while.
Three years.
I could have done that in Kleinmachnow.
Dangerous people were after you, Martin.
Didn't we build the Wall
to keep "dangerous people" out?
What did you expect? You blew your cover
as an agent in the West.
I saved all your asses.
The BND, CIA and every secret service
in the world was after you,
and frankly, this place is paradise
compared to an East German prison.
Paradise? This?
Did Annett send you this?
My mother's letters are forwarded to me.
Your Max is such a sweet boy.
You know him?
I met him once.
Tell me.
Well...
he had a blue toy train.
The rails were all over the carpet.
We pretended to
travel the Trans-Siberian Railway...
No.
What do you mean, no?
No. You've never met him.
That was my blue toy train.
You and I pretended
to travel around the world.
Really?
Could be.
Come in, boys.
Come on, let's play Risiko.
You've no chance this time.
It's more fun with four players.
Want to play?
You can have North America.
What?
North America, everyone wants it.
Only two borders to defend.
That's why Americans
don't understand the world.
They only speak one language,
but think they're the best.
You have to conquer as many countries
as possible and then defend them.
I'll start.
By rolling the dice.
Red for attack.
Give me a six!
I love them.
Come on, Roberto, get them all.
Any moment now?
I'll take Europe.
Damn it!
Ha! All for me.
I'll take your Afghanistan, Madame.
Fine.
Come to Cape Town with me, Martin.
Roberto?
Keep playing for me and don't lose, OK?
Why?
I need someone I can trust.
Just for a few days.
I've heard that before.
If you'd prefer to stay here,
I'll leave you in peace.
I, however, will keep fighting.
For our cause.
Fine.
On one condition:
I can return to Kleinmachnow, to Max.
Naturally.
I already talked to Fuchs.
If all goes to plan,
he guarantees your return to East Germany,
with all privileges.
You must really be desperate.
When will you be back?
Don't leave me alone again.
We'll write to each other.
I hate you, Martin.
Kleinmachnow, East Germany
Sorry, we had a big day at the office.
Come in.
Thanks.
He could just sleep here tonight
if it helps you, Annett.
But you already have him every Sunday.
I have time for him now.
Yes...
I do have an important meeting tonight.
I was going to bring him with me, but...
Well, then.
Thank you.
Cape Town, South Africa
Put this on.
-Why?
-Do it.
Pull it low over your face.
-You have a driver?
-Get in.
Stop.
Drive on, drive on.
This is Rose Seithathi. Slickest
secret operative south of the equator.
I'm a soldier in Nelson Mandela's
ANC army, Umkhonto we Sizwe.
We're fighting apartheid
in South Africa.
The African National Congress
is an ally of East Germany.
Our leadership is in prison, like Mandela.
Or in exile in Zambia, Zimbabwe,
Angola and Europe.
Just a few of us are still
in Cape Town, undercover.
We'll join forces to wage revolution.
And what's my role here?
You'll be a salesman for the West German
weapon manufacturer Würfel & Struth.
First for the West German
Trade Commissioner,
then for the buyers.
We're selling weapons?
West German weapons?
Where'd you get them?
-Let's say they fell off a truck.
-Who's the buyer?
SADF. South African army.
The United Nations
has sanctions against that!
Yes. That's why they need us.
As middlemen.
Wait. In a deal between West Germany
and the Apartheid regime?
Between our worst enemies?
And you're in on this?
In support of my East German Comrades.
We need each other.
Again: Why?
Money.
You haven't been home
for three years, Martin.
You have no idea
how things are in East Germany.
Gorbachev is about
to give up on the Warsaw Pact.
We can't pay our debts to West Germany.
We have shortages of meat,
coal and even vegetables.
Power outages, scarce medical supplies...
Our state is bankrupt.
People are almost starving.
Border Restaurant for Western Tourists
East Berlin, East Germany
Abracadabra.
What is that?
A miracle.
Has it been clinically tested at all?
Yeah, on mice.
Then I had the idea
to run a human trial over here.
Where else in the world
could we find a control group like this?
An isolated population of human beings
genetically identical to our customers?
As if they put up the Wall just for us.
Mr. Amend. Our people may be
genetically identical, yes.
But we're much healthier
than the West Germans.
Thinner, fitter
and drug free.
No one here is injecting heroin,
or sleeping on the streets
or eating fast food.
I've noticed.
And yet, you rely almost entirely
on brown coal for heat.
Which means that East Germany has a
very high number of individuals
suffering from Chronic Obstructive
Pulmonary Disease.
So your little miracle cures
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease?
You can't cure it.
Thank God!
Why thank God?
So we can sell this drug to our customers
for a very long time.
Hey, that's enough!
You're guests in this country.
Be respectful.
My department is testing a medicine
that treats symptoms of AIDS.
The gay disease?
Huge potential market.
We don't have AIDS in East Germany.
Right, of course not.
The check, please!
After eight weeks, and only if you
complete the entire eight week period,
we'll pay your organization
58,000 Deutschmarks.
West Marks.
Keep the change.
Yeah?
Our very own Boris.
-Boris Becker, heard of him?
-I can't play tennis.
You won't have to.
The Winkelmanns play at Cape Western Sun
every Thursday.
You'll meet them at 4 p.m.
Frank Winkelmann is
West Germany's Trade Commissioner.
We need his signature to get
the weapons for DeGraaf out of customs.
Why would a West German diplomat
sign anything for us?
We're West Germans, too.
And I'll wrap him around my finger
while you distract his wife.
It's the only way.
DeGraaf awaits us today at 7 p.m.
You need a better disguise.
Try these.
Better.
Listen up.
South Africa's Apartheid regime
may be under UN embargo,
but the West needs South Africa
as an ally against Communism.
The Americans, Israelis, Western Europe
and West Germany deliver weapons
to the South African Army
for the fight against Communist Angola.
In Angola, West-supported UNITA rebels,
supported by the West,
fight against the Communist MPLA.
It's a classic proxy war.
And where do you and Mandela stand?
At the ANC we are allies of the USSR,
East Germany and the MPLA in Angola.
But our goal is clear...
Freedom.
Good.
So basically...
West, East.
Who are the good guys?
Once again:
Biggest German-speaking pop star?
Falco.
National coach?
The Kaiser.
The most beloved US TV series
in West Germany?
A soap opera, Dallas.
No.
Dynasty, right?
A decadent tragedy
about newly rich Americans.
Just look at that!
Don't worry, you're well disguised.
Who would recognize me here?
The world is smaller than you think.
Maybe, but this is another planet.
There's Winkelmann.
I'll get the signature.
And you take care of his wife.
Let's go.
Sorry, Madame.
I think you've dropped something.
It's mine indeed.
Thank you, that is so very kind of you.
Frank Winkelmann from
the German embassy.
So we can speak German.
Ramona Neid, Tschauder Logistics.
-My wife Brigitte.
-Hello.
My client Marcus Herring
from Würfel & Struth.
Pleasure.
Würfel & Struth?
Yes, sales management.
Well, well!
A wonderful day for tennis.
Every day here
is a wonderful day for tennis.
Too many people only see
the negative side of South Africa.
You're right.
Thank God there's places like this
where you can forget all the misery.
Would you care for a fantastic lemonade?
Shall we?
Yeah, sure!
This way.
I probably shouldn't even
be seen with you.
I won't lie to you, the sanctions
are a pain in the ass.
I see the South Africans as our allies.
And Würfel & Struth
makes the world's best weapons.
How our customers use them
is their business.
-Guns don't kill people...
-...people kill people.
-Ha, ha!
-Yeah!
The Communists are banging on our door.
Both here and back home in West Germany.
And you know what Reagan
says about the "Domino Effect".
Horrible.
Especially when you hear
how East Germans are suffering.
Yeah.
We're lucky to be living
on the right side of the Wall.
Indeed.
Say, who's that talent over there?
He plays divinely.
Peter Van de Vetering.
Our cover. Come with me.
Most people just come here for fun.
I'm reading a novel by an East German
dissident who was sold to the West.
This guy organizes
a secret library in East Berlin
and has an affair with a beautiful girl
who's pregnant with someone else's baby.
Then it turns out she works for the Stasi!
THE NAKED TRUTH
It's a big hit in West Germany.
Everyone reads it for the sex scenes.
Sounds exciting.
You can keep it.
Really?
It's nice to meet
an arms dealer who reads novels.
Well, thanks.
Allow me.
One second.
Sorry, it's trickier than I thought.
The bureaucracy here is insane.
Our shipment's stuck in customs,
now there's the strike...
Contact my office.
Or help me now. Just sign here...
Please. Call my office. Thanks.
-Thanks.
-You're welcome.
I think we should go, it's getting
chilly here. Shall we pay?
Check please!
You want to take this?
Surely you have a nice expense account
at Würfel & Struth?
I do. But as an embassy representative,
you might not want to be taken out
by a West German arms dealer.
Then I'll pay privately.
I'm preparing for a visit
at the embassy.
Left-wing parliamentarians from home.
They mean nothing but trouble.
My husband carries
the weight of the world on his back.
I just think about teeth.
Thanks.
Nice to meet you.
-Thanks.
-All the best.
See you, Mr. and Mrs. Winkelmann.
See you.
Bye.
Oh, I'm sorry. My fault.
Is this what we pay you to do here, boy?
Make a mess?
I'm sorry.
Come, quickly!
What did you do?
Clean it up. Clean up the shit!
I'm so sorry.
Potsdam Hospital, East Germany
How are your girls, Tina?
Good. Growing like crazy.
I grew up with Tina
and her brother Thomas.
I was Ms. Schneider's babysitter.
Babysitter?
There must be
a nice German word for that, right?
Of course.
Thomas Posimski is your brother?
-Yes.
-How's he doing?
Surely you haven't had
any contact with him
since he betrayed our country
and moved to the West?
No, of course not.
I hear he wrote an erotic novel.
It's a huge bestseller over there!
I don't know anything about that.
Of course not. How could you?
Finally, Dr. Albrecht.
Excuse me.
Here, the documents.
-Thank you.
-So, here we go.
-Thank you.
-You're welcome.
-Here you go.
-Thank you.
It's an honor for us to participate
in international research.
And we're very proud
that two excellent doctors
are serving East Germany like this.
-Yes.
-Cheers.
How are you faring?
Doctor, it's so cold.
-I'll tell the nurse.
-Thanks.
Kleinmachnow, East Germany
And in you get.
Sweet dreams.
Good night, Mommy.
THE NAKED TRUTH
Cape Town Harbor, South Africa
Mr. Marcus Herring from Würfel & Struth,
as requested.
Good evening, Sir.
Good to meet you.
Let's not waste
our precious time on niceties.
Here are the copies
of the end-user certificates
for your signatures, gentlemen.
The tube comes pre-loaded from the
factory. The missile is already in it.
It is single use.
This is the firing and arming unit.
It's reusable,
with a fresh tube of course.
Battery and cooling unit goes in here.
Now it's fully assembled.
The missile has a 3 kg hit-to-kill warhead
with an impact fuse.
She feels nice.
You wanna try?
These are perfect.
Then we're going to blow the whole
fucking refinery in Cuanza Norte!
Cuanza Norte?
In Angola?
Boom!
Let me show you how to handle it first.
You can aim manually
or set it for infrared
or ultraviolet guiding.
Just push here,
look through the sight,
find your target,
operate the arming switch,
wait for the sound to come,
and fire.
Martin!
Run!
Run!
Let's all be reasonable and do as I say.
Open up.
Let's get out of here.
Here.
That's it, Martin.
You're going back to the orphanage in
Cuanza Norte.
Hundreds of children
live in that orphanage.
They'll all die
if the refinery blows up!
-You want to be responsible for that?
-Dammit! This isn't about you,
or about your family and friends!
We're in a geopolitical crisis.
This is about the preservation
of our state, its goals,
and the future of millions of people!
You...
You can't see beyond
the end of your own nose.
You're so cynical, you know that?
You're using Socialism
to justify a bloody deal!
Where are you going?
Away from here.
If you leave now,
you'll never see East Germany again,
nor your son.
You know that, right?
We'd all better leave South Africa
as soon as possible.
They'll surely come after us.
If we need money so badly
that we're illegally selling weapons,
then at least let's sell them
to the right side.
-The right side?
-Yes.
Which one is that?
The ANC is in exile.
There's no client here
but the South African Army.
Then we'll sell them abroad.
To the MPLA refinery in Angola.
They'll pay us the same.
The guards who watch that place?
I know them, I can get us inside.
I don't trust you.
I don't trust you, either.
THE BLACK CHANNEL
Good evening, dear viewers.
THE LOVE BOAT