This episode introduces us to Cenk Batu; a German undercover police officer of Turkish origins. In the opening scenes his current operation comes to an end when he refuses to shoot somebody
it turns out it was a test with an unloaded gun but he didn't know that. His next case involves getting close to Tuncay Nezrem, a Turkish businessman, who the police believe is using his import/export business for more than he claims. To get close he is placed in the same hospital room as his son Deniz. While there Deniz is attacked; Cenk tries to catch the assailant but he escapes. Deniz claims that he owes 50,000 to some loan sharks but Cenk is unconvinced as they won't get paid if they kill him. His action does at least get him close to Tuncay. At first he is just working in his kebab shop but soon he is given the job of driving Tuncay. Not long afterwards he discovers that Tuncay is smuggling fake computer chips. He also discovers why Deniz borrowed the money; somebody is scamming Turks who want to return to Turkey in a fraudulent property scheme. Deniz was hoping to get away with his new girlfriend; a relationship his father doesn't know about and her father doesn't approve of.
Here in the UK this story was billed as the opening episode of 'Cenk Batu' rather than as part of 'Tatort' and as none of the other parts were aired here I can't comment on how this compares or how it fits into the rest of the series.
As an opening episode to a separate series it works well; protagonist Cenk Batu is introduced in a good way; it wasn't long before I was engrossed in the story. It helps that Mehmet Kurtulus does a fine job in the role. There was a good sense of mystery; for quite a while we had no idea what, if anything, Tuncay was smuggling nor is it immediately obvious why Deniz was really attacked. There was plenty of tension, especially when it became clear that Tuncay had business dealings with the man Cenk had worked with before. There are a few surprises along the way but none are too drastic. The other cast members do a solid job; notably Peter Jordan for plays Cenk's handler Uwe Kohnau, presumably a recurring character, and Aykut Kayacik and Burak Yigit as Tuncay and Deniz. On the strength of this episode I'd certainly recommend 'Cenk Batu' to fans of crime fiction who are looking for something a little different.
Here in the UK this story was billed as the opening episode of 'Cenk Batu' rather than as part of 'Tatort' and as none of the other parts were aired here I can't comment on how this compares or how it fits into the rest of the series.
As an opening episode to a separate series it works well; protagonist Cenk Batu is introduced in a good way; it wasn't long before I was engrossed in the story. It helps that Mehmet Kurtulus does a fine job in the role. There was a good sense of mystery; for quite a while we had no idea what, if anything, Tuncay was smuggling nor is it immediately obvious why Deniz was really attacked. There was plenty of tension, especially when it became clear that Tuncay had business dealings with the man Cenk had worked with before. There are a few surprises along the way but none are too drastic. The other cast members do a solid job; notably Peter Jordan for plays Cenk's handler Uwe Kohnau, presumably a recurring character, and Aykut Kayacik and Burak Yigit as Tuncay and Deniz. On the strength of this episode I'd certainly recommend 'Cenk Batu' to fans of crime fiction who are looking for something a little different.
