Original subtitles

Viewers like you make this program possible.

Support your local PBS station.

We are the sum of our experiences;

uniquely defined by our memories.

Sometimes a simple object can summon up a recollection;

it can be the door to a secret, forgotten past.

We spend a lifetime gathering

a collection of treasured objects and symbols.

Each of them holding a tiny fragment of our identity.

A key to our emotions.

Who is this!?

Who'’s there?!

There'’s someone there! I can hear you!

Come on! Come on!

Ow!

Hmm, nasty business.

When did this happen?

Sometime after midnight.

Victim is recovering in hospital.

-Burglary. -Hmm.

Not really my department.

Why don'’t you let one of the juniors handle it?

The victim is an important man.

Ex-Minister of Finance!

And he was assaulted!

I want an experienced officer.

Someone good.

-Sorry. -What?

What was that word?

I didn't catch it.

Out!

Do we have an inventory of what's missing?

Oh, yes...

Here...

That'’s it?

-Yes. -One item?

How valuable?

That's what's curious.

Not valuable at all.

The owner says it was a reproduction.

Hmm.

Must have happened during the scuffle.

The fight took place over there...

Doesn'’t make sense.

Right...

Ladies and gentlemen.

Colleagues. Fellow clinicians.

Following the retirement of our distinguished Professor Gruner

we are pleased to announce the appointment of a new Head of Neurology.

Professor Neumann from the University of Strasbourg.

Professor Neumann, allow me to introduce myself...

I know who you are. You're Max Liebermann.

-You were a candidate for this job... -Yes...

I hope it isn't going to come between us.

You were having great success in the field of criminal psychopathy.

-I read your book. Fascinating. -Thank you.

Your predecessor wasn't quite so enamored of my research.

Well, I hope you'll find me a more willing collaborator.

-I'’m Dr. Heilig. -Enchanté.

Dr. Liebermann.

I'm sorry to disturb you at work.

No. It's a pleasure to see you. Please, come...

Now how can I be of service?

I need your assistance.

Someone I know is suffering.

He needs a doctor. A neurologist.

His name is Captain Georg Steiner,

he was a very distinguished soldier in his day.

-This is him? -Yes.

A friend of my father's.

Georg is in a military home for invalids.

I visit him out of, well... duty.

Hmm. This is your father?

He died some years ago.

He made a good living in China.

That is, right up until the time when...

What happened, Fraulein?

He was in Peking eight years ago.

When the rebels attacked the fort.

The Boxer Rebellion?

Exactly.

Their army lay siege to the city.

Thousands of armed militia.

Nobody could get in nor out.

The Captain saved my father's life, defending the legation quarter.

So, since my father died, I...

You've felt an obligation to him?

And how can I help?

He claims that... he'’s cursed.

Please, Doctor Liebermann.

Solve the riddle of whatever it is that is tormenting him.

-Dr. Liebermann? -Yes.

Follow me, please...

Good of you to see me, Doctor.

-Wiesinger. -Weisinger.

-You're the Clinical Director here. -Yes, thirty patients.

All ex-military. Most of them wounded in service.

What sort of cases?

Amputees. Shrapnel victims. Some just fading away with age.

Can you tell me about Georg Steiner?

What's your interest in him?

We have a mutual friend.

And they... asked you to visit him?

Yes.

The Captain's suffering from delirium and psychosis.

His behavior is highly erratic.

I'd like to see him... if I may.

Nurse Aigner?

Follow me...

Captain Steiner.

He fought in Peking his last campaign.

He was broken when he came to us.

Captain Steiner?

Captain Steiner? Someone is here to see you.

He's pushed something against the door. I can't get it open.

-Would you please? -Of course.

He's got a knife!

Captain Steiner!

Get away from the door!

Captain Steiner!

Get away from it!

He'’s here! He's coming!

It's Steiner. He's locked himself inside.

I see him! His vengeful face!

-I'’m coming in! -He knows my sin!

Captain, what have you done to yourself?

Captain. Put the knife down.

He has cursed us!

Both of us!

He has cast a shadow over our hearts!

The panther is on the water!

The panther is on the water.

And its belly is full!

The panther is on the water...

Doctor?

We've given him morphine. To ease his pain.

Morphine will blunt his senses. He won't be able to talk.

Perhaps it would be better if you came another day.

I'm eager to speak with him, more than ever.

Perhaps you'’ll permit me to wait.

Just until the sedative wears off.

How was your day?

Um...

Don't want to discuss it?

I don't usually bring my work to the dinner table.

How about you two, huh?

How was your day?

What have you been reading, Hannah?

It's just an old fairy story.

Oh, I recognize the book.

I think I've read it before.

You read children's books?

-But you're old! -Hannah. Don't be rude.

No. I read it to my daughter!

You have a daughter? I would like to meet her.

Oh. Uh... I...

When can I meet her? Please. Please.

Hannah, stop pestering poor Oskar.

Let'’s eat!

Before the meat gets cold.

Hmm.

Goodnight.

You'’re very sweet with her.

What'’s the matter? You're not going?

I have to be at work early, tomorrow.

You can stay the night if you want.

Perhaps another time.

I'm sorry.

Huh?

I don't know you.

Are you his messenger?

My name is Doctor Liebermann.

I'm a friend of Fraulein Linder.

The girl with the sad face...

They think I'm dangerous, a rabid dog that must be chained.

Have some water?

Why am I tied up?

It was done to protect you.

Do you remember anything that happened today?

I can see him coming; every night, such torment...

Him?

Eyes filled with blood!

Tell me about him?

Who is he?

I hear him whispering

there in the shadows...

Do you believe in curses, Doctor?

I believe... in their power, yes.

Once evil has been released into the world,

it cannot rest until it has claimed its victim.

You should rest.

I'll visit you again, soon.

I would say he's in an advanced psychotic state.

His condition is getting worse.

I was fascinated by what he was saying. Something about a curse.

We don't encourage these delusions.

Better not to engage with him.

Then how do you plan to help him?

I'll increase his dosage.

The drugs should be sufficient to ease his pain.

Drugs will not cure him, Doctor Wiesinger.

Whatever it is that torments him, the root cause must be explored.

Perhaps you would consider letting me take his case.

I can have him transferred.

I know your reputation.

You're the Jew who wrote that book.

The Disciple of Freud, hmm?

These men are broken.

It's our job to lessen their suffering. By any method that we can.

-Yes-- -Thank you, Doctor,

but we won't be needing your assistance.

He doesn't need to be sedated. He needs to talk and be listened to.

That's my professional opinion.

He never leaves the house.

He's getting worse and worse.

Has something frightened you?

Can you tell me about it? Can you talk?

Answer the gentleman, Leopold.

He's always like this.

We moved into a new apartment.

And he refuses to climb the stairs, Doctor.

Any stairs at all!

Stands at the bottom, trembling, weeping!

But we're on the second floor here.

I had to drag him to your door!

Hmm.

For you...

-And when is the baby due? -A month.

It must be an anxious time for Leopold.

He was excited when we found out.

Hmm. Children often bury their true feelings.

You see, a staircase is a symbol.

It represents transition,

perhaps to something that we fear.

Often that transition is connected to sex.

Huh?

The staircase as a rudimentary phallus.

That'’s enough!

Of course, symbols are not always what they appear to be.

Biscuit!

I take it this one won't be paying?

What did you expect, Max!

You think all of Vienna is going to embrace your crazy ideas?

You think everything is a symbol of something.

This cigar; that decanter.

Hmm. And sometimes a cigar is just a cigar.

I bet she'll never look at a staircase the same way again.

-Yeah. Probably.

Actually, there'’s something else I wanted to discuss with you.

You're an ex-military man. I need your advice.

It might interest you as well...

I think they called themselves

The "Militia of Righteous and Harmonious Fists".

China was struck by a drought...

the farmers land was destroyed, livelihoods gone.

Then the Militia rose up against the European settlers,

marching into the Christian ghettos of Peking,

burning down churches, killing worshipers.

Apparently, this Captain Steiner, still bears the scars.

You think you can help him, Max?

Or is he beyond your healing now?

The doctor says I can take these off,

but we don't want any misbehavior.

Now get some rest, Captain.

I'll be in with your breakfast tray early.

He's the stealer of souls.

Now, don't go talking nonsense again.

He comes in the night.

Bringing shadows.

Best try not to think of it.

I know your sin...

I know your sin...

I know your sin...

I know your sin...

I know your sin...

I know your sin... I know your sin...

Captain?

Captain Steiner?

To London?

It's so long since I've seen my family.

Little Sasha was just a baby.

It's his Bar Mitzvah next month. We must go.

-Hmm. -You're invited too.

Though I don't suppose you'll want to come.

Well, I can'’t just leave my patients.

Leah will look after the business for us.

Right, well...

Give Whitechapel my love.

Perhaps you could have Leah to stay with you.

So, she's not lonely whilst we're away.

Ma, I'’m sure she can look after herself.

Oh, the famous reporter!

-Not so famous! Not yet! -Congratulations, darling.

Mendel showed me the piece you wrote about that chap at the newspaper.

What was his name again?

-Gerstl! -That's him. Gerstl.

-And what did he do again? -Oh, mama!

He is a famous artist! A painter!

She read it avidly. Devoured every word.

-Your biggest fan. -It was brilliant. Just brilliant.

-Thank you. -Such talent!

-Goodbye, darling. -Goodbye.

-Goodbye, everyone. -Goodbye.

I'’ll see you out, I'’m just leaving...

Well? What did you want to say to me?

You're interviewing famous artists now?

I write whatever they ask me to.

What I'd love is another crime story.

I'’ll see what I can rustle up.

Why did you want to walk out with me?

Max! There's a doctor on the telephone, trying to track you down.

Kierling House, I think he said he was from.

Something about a patient.

Excuse me...

Max Liebermann.

Doctor Liebermann.

I'm so sorry...

They contacted you?

Telephoned this morning.

Did they say what happened?

Looks like... suicide.

We won't know until the post-mortem.

Thank you, Doctor Liebermann, for what you tried to do for him.

This isn't over, Fraulein.

My work on this case is just beginning.

The Minister telephoned this morning.

Herr Wagner has some very influential friends

and they are eager for some progress in this burglary.

So, I'm relying on you, Reinhardt.

I already told you, it's a simple case,

let one of the juniors handle it.

We need a successful outcome!

All our reputations hang on this!

Now, do as I ask!

We both know what's going on here.

-What? -Let's not kid ourselves.

It's your reputation on the line here, not mine.

-Now, wait a moment-- -Too many slip-ups. Too many errors.

-Now look, look, Rheinhardt-- -No, you look!

Whilst you're ordering me around, playing the 'big detective',

I'’m telling you, I'll only put up with so much.

Do you understand me, Bulow?

Von Bulow...

It'’s Von Bulow!

Von Bulow!

I did as you asked. I looked at other similar burglaries.

And?

Another break-in.

Hietzing. Exact same circumstances.

Hmm.

There you are!

Thank you, Fraulein Linder. Well done...

/When did the burglary occur?

Two weeks ago.

I was asleep upstairs.

Broke in through the kitchen window into the parlor here.

There, there was a cabinet.

Another piece of mine.

It was damaged by the burglar.

I sent it to a restorer.

I have the piece here, yes.

A panel was removed.

Badly scratched.

Someone tried to open it, clumsily.

We'’re just working on it now, Inspector.

Just a moment. Haussmann...

So, the thief conducts two separate burglaries.

-Yes. -Steals nothing of any value from either.

Yes.

But takes the trouble to stop

and break apart two identical lacquered cabinets.

Yes.

But why?

Doctor Wiesinger, at the Military Home,

said he was acting under your advice.

He said the Captain was a danger to himself,

but you told them he shouldn't be sedated.

He was badly treated in that hospital. Tied down with restraints.

Injected with morphine to keep him docile.

What I told them was that they should try to understand his delusions.

What delusions?

He told me... he was cursed.

What?

He believed some ancient god had marked him for death.

Poor man, his fantasy must have been so potent,

he enacted the fatal curse himself.

You applied for this job. And you were turned down.

Did they give you a reason?

They suggested that my research, my methods, were...

Freudian analysis is still viewed with some... suspicion.

-Indeed. -And yet here you are,

freely giving advice to Doctor Wiesinger.

-And as a result-- -I'm not responsible for his death!

I offered to take the patient on myself and my offer was rejected!

Wiesinger made a formal complaint to me.

What do you suggest we do about this?

I have to go back there.

There are things about his death that...

need further investigation.

I know that look.

You've made a mess and now you need my help cleaning it up.

Hmm.

Something like that.

A man has died and I feel I'’m responsible.

I have to find out what happened and I need you beside me.

You really think that this matter is worthy of a police investigation?

Captain Steiner is dead, Doctor Wiesinger.

Yes, but the cause of death is plain to everyone.

He killed himself. He was suffering from violent delusions.

If the Doctor here had not intervened---

I asked you to let me take his case. And you refused!

You recommended that sedation be withdrawn!

In order that he might begin some psychological treatment!

It was reckless just to abandon him!

Who were the last people to have seen him?

When did you last interact with him?

The night before he died.

I gave him his bath and wished him goodnight.

That would have been around... nine.

Was there anything unusual about his behavior?

You'd do better to ask:

"Was there ever an occasion when he behaved normally?"

What do you mean?

You saw the entrails?

Yes...

He stole a hen from the kitchen, gutted it

and scattered the blood around his room...

And a week ago,

there was the business with the glass house.

And what exactly would that involve?

Steiner marched out there early one morning and smashed his way inside it.

He broke the door down and cut down

one of the specimens and dragged it into his room.

Hardly the actions of a rational man.

Wouldn't you agree, Inspector?

Everyday...

...three meals a day I...

...I took them into him,

helped dress him.

I'm sorry. This must be difficult for you, Fraulein.

Was there anything about the manner of his death

that seemed significant to you?

What do you mean, exactly?

It's an unusual way to kill oneself.

Burning vapors, intense heat.

Oh, dear God,

the poor captain.

I'm not an expert, Max,

but it does seem like the man had gone insane.

"Insane" is not a catch-all, Oskar.

It doesn't explain everything away.

Hmm, the gutted animal, scattering the entrails,

dragging the tree into the building...

There's meaning in it somewhere,

we just haven't found it yet.

I can't work it out.

If he was so eager to kill himself

why drag himself down to the boiler room

when he could end it swiftly with this.

Careful.

Maybe it was decommissioned.

Hold on...

There's something hidden...

Hmm?

The Panther is on the water...

Actually the "Panther" is a ship.

I found it in the maritime library.

An Austrian steamer. Made regular voyages from the East.

Shipping goods back to Vienna. Tianjin to Trieste.

It would have been docked in China at the same time that the Captain was there.

So... the Panther left China...

And its belly was full.

With what?

Did Steiner have something stashed on board.

The severity of these burns would have been enough to kill anyone.

His heart was already weak. He would never have been able to survive this.

Thank you, Doctor.

Wait. There's more, Inspector.

Cuts to his feet. Lacerations.

Like someone had driven knives into them.

-Recently? -Maybe a month old.

You can clearly see the scar tissue.

Self-inflicted?

Possible. But unlikely.

Steiner was tortured, Oskar.

Someone may have driven him to kill himself.

Not everything in here is for sale, Lieutenant.

Mama. Papa. I... I didn't know you were coming.

Would you like to stay for supper, I can...?

Er, no, I'’m afraid not Max. We haven't got that long.

What's the matter? What'’s happened?

We need to ask you something. And we want an honest answer.

Alright.

It's about Clara.

Um, what about her?

There'’s something going on.

I don'’t understand.

Max, please don'’t lie to us.

We saw you together at our house.

What is it you were whispering about.

That was nothing. We were just talking.

She was seen. Here. Entering this apartment.

Late at night.

You have your little spies scattered around the city, do you?

Frau Schmid was driving past, on her way home.

Oh, well, Frau Schmid! Perfect! How reliable!

Max, I can't abide for you to lie to us. I won't forgive you if you do.

Mama, please-

We're just asking you to think carefully about it.

Think what'’s best for Clara, think what'’s best for you.

Papa, don'’t.

You were the one who turned your back on her.

You were the one who severed your engagement.

You'’ve already ruined her happiness once. Now we'’re begging you,

please do not trifle with the girl's feelings again.

Papa, nothing could be further from my mind.

Clara is a professional writer now

and she comes to me for... information.

I don't want to see either of you get hurt.

Be careful, my son.

Well, there...

That's what had to be said. Rachel.

Don't make it hard for us to be proud of you.

Would you like a drink sir?

Yes...

I fail to understand. Why exactly is this necessary?

They weren't simply delusions. Someone tortured Captain Steiner.

That's... that'’s preposterous, Inspector!

We need to interview everyone.

These men need peace and quiet.

And we need the truth!

These men are war heroes and you allowed one of them to be brutalized!

-Inspector-- -Maybe more of them are being abused.

Step aside!

So, you were acquainted with Captain Steiner, um...

Second Lieutenant Hammer.

Second Lieutenant Hammer?

Can he hear me?

He's very weak.

He hasn't spoken for a long time, Inspector.

Hmm. Are you aware that Captain Steiner was hurt by someone?

Do you know who might have done it?

Well?

Thank you... bring in the next please.

Something bad is happening here, Max. We need to get someone to talk.

So, if Jaeger was right, someone came in here to torture Steiner.

Maybe another patient? Or one of the staff?

Why are there no witnesses?

It's like we're dealing with a ghost.

Someone who can slip between the shadows.

Or someone who had hidden access to this room, we don't know about!

Something about this room bothers me...

What are you doing, Oskar?

...six, seven, eight!

-What are you counting?!

This blacked out window! It'’s not in the corridor.

And it'’s obviously not in Steiner's room. I noticed it when we arrived.

And also, the measurements don't add up.

So?

Steiner's room. It's smaller than it should be.

Go to the stables, we'’re staying for the night.

Yes, sir.

You want to what?

The rain has set in.

The roads are bound to be flooded.

Our driver thinks it would be much safer if we stayed the night.

I hope you'll both be comfortable in here.

Locked up with that cheerless woman

would be enough to drive anyone insane.

We need to wait until everyone's asleep.

Then we can discover how he got into Steiner'’s room.

Yes, no, it'’s... I prefer the top bunk...

Are you ever going to tell me?

I'd be a pretty poor analyst if I couldn't tell

when something was troubling my friend.

Therese?

I don't know what it is, Max...

I like her so much...

and I like Hannah, her daughter...

But?

But it just d doesn't feel right...

It feels like...

like...

Like you're betraying your own family.

You're a good man, Oskar.

I have no doubt you were a very good father.

Whatever happens,

there will always be room for your daughter in your heart.

We both know that.

If she catches us, this was your idea.

When they turned the house into an institution,

they must have divided the rooms...

Here...

Ah, Max...

You first.

You should'’ve gone easy on the cake.

It was good cake...

The vengeful God that visited his dreams.

There is no curse here, Oskar.

They tortured a frightened man into believing this was real.