

Episode 3
Season 1 Episode 3 | 47m 2sVideo has Audio Description, Closed Captions
A killer’s gruesome calling cards and seemingly random choice of victims confuse Oskar.
Oskar asks Max to help investigate a grotesque series of murders in Vienna’s slums, where the victims are seemingly chosen at random. The killer’s gruesome calling cards are vicious mutilation with a military blade and a penchant for arcane symbols.
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Funding for Vienna Blood is provided by Viking.

Episode 3
Season 1 Episode 3 | 47m 2sVideo has Audio Description, Closed Captions
Oskar asks Max to help investigate a grotesque series of murders in Vienna’s slums, where the victims are seemingly chosen at random. The killer’s gruesome calling cards are vicious mutilation with a military blade and a penchant for arcane symbols.
See all videos with Audio DescriptionADProblems with Closed Captions? Closed Captioning Feedback
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Learn Moreabout PBS online sponsorshipMAN: Dr. Lieberman, Inspector Reinhardt.
REINHARDT: What do I call you, Doctor?
MAX: My name is Max.
REINHARDT: What's your field of study?
MAX: The psychopathy of the criminal mind.
REINHARDT: Catchy.
That trick that you do... MAX: It's not a trick.
I can paint you an image of the killer.
REINHARDT: What do you see?
Has anyone ever told you how insufferable you are?
MAX: It happens about a dozen times a day.
REINHARDT: The killer fits our profile.
It makes him a suspect.
STRASSER: Profile?
REINHARDT: It means we have a psychological portrait of the killer.
MAX: People will start to think we like each other.
Welcome to the case, Inspector.
♪♪ ♪♪ (BELL CHIMES) ♪♪ ♪♪ Christ be my salvation.
MAX: They say that a man is never so weak, so defenseless against suffering as when he is in love.
Love is still an enigma to science.
Perhaps it is just a state of madness.
I was told this legend as a child.
Human beings were once double-headed creatures.
The Gods resolved that we should all be humbled.
They devised a punishment - cutting each body in half.
Now, every person is looking for their missing counterpart.
Every one of us has a perfect pre-ordained love.
The other self that the Gods took from us.
Josefine!
What?
He's here again.
He's waiting.
(GLASS SMASHES) (CHEERING) (VIOLIN PLAYS) Thank you for inviting me.
Well, it wouldn't be a proper party -without you.
-For you.
-Oh, thank you.
-You're welcome.
Two years, four months and one week.
Max doesn't believe in making snap decisions.
No, he does not.
You are a lucky fellow.
Yes, I know.
Clara keeps reminding me.
We're thinking June, most likely.
June?
Gives you time to get used to the idea.
Gives her time to purchase several different dresses.
-(GLASS TINGING) -Speech time, I'm afraid.
(CLEARS THROAT) Max.
My dear friends, it gives us great pleasure to welcome you here to this ceremony.
Clara, I know that your father would have been filled with immense joy to see you betrothed here today.
I'm only sorry we couldn't find you a better husband than my son -to marry.
-(LAUGHTER) Still, there are enough mad people in the city to keep him gainfully employed.
And now, eat, drink, enjoy.
Music, please.
(VIOLIN PLAYS) My Max.
My nephew is growing so fast.
No wonder, when you see -how much he eats.
-Ah.
Inspector!
Inspector.
I'm sorry.
There's been an incident.
What is it?
A murder in Spittelberg.
Everyone's looking for you.
Is something wrong, Max?
Er, yes, the Inspector has to leave.
Forgive me, Herr Liebermann.
Doctor.
Good evening.
He might have taken his hat off.
You want to go with him.
No.
No.
The party was over anyway.
Thank you.
(DOOR OPENS AND CLOSES) Inspector!
You don't mind my joining you?
Thank you.
I was just inches from a clean getaway.
Are you coming?
Rheinhardt!
What the hell are you doing here?
I'm taking charge.
-It's my case.
-Nobody could find you.
So they called me at home.
Now, excuse me, I'm very busy.
Haussman.
Looks like a wild animal got hold of them.
Look, in here - there is another one.
Different from the others.
All killed by the same weapon - a long blade.
Something with a very distinct curve.
Herr Doctor.
Make your report to me.
Maybe a butchering tool, or a tanner's instrument.
Hmm.
What about her?
Just as brutal.
But he cleaned up the mess.
Washed her body.
Dr Liebermann?
The attack was frenzied.
But then, the way he laid out the final victim, he became almost...
I don't know - almost loving.
These other women are incidental, but her... She was the one he wanted.
Almost a shrine he built to her.
I think he would have come here before.
Visited her when she was alive.
Have you interviewed any clients?
Obviously.
Any clients who came in regularly?
One name...keeps cropping up.
(STRUGGLING) (HORSE NEIGHS) Don't worry, son!
They've made a mistake!
(SHOUTING) (BOLT SLAMS) (THUDDING) I don't need both of you on the case.
Sir, if I may remind you that... Ah, I see Dr Liebermann is consulting again.
Well, I suppose after your success together in Leopoldstadt...
Your lucky charm, Rheinhardt.
Very well.
Do you understand why you are here?
(DISTANT WAILING) This is a murder investigation.
Four women were killed near here - at Borek's brothel, in the old town.
You've been there a dozen times in the last few weeks alone.
And always the same woman - Josefine.
-You remember her?
-Easy to become attached.
All that time you spent in her company.
Easy, when you've paid a fee to feel a sense of possession.
Sir?
There's someone here to see you.
You've got no business keeping him here!
Your son is a suspect in a murder investigation.
You don't know him!
He wouldn't hurt a fly.
Hard to establish his innocence if he won't say anything.
He is not right in his head - never has been.
Got the brain of a little child.
You know he visits Borek's.
The brothel.
What else is he going to do?
No respectable woman would ever look at him twice!
It's about that girl, isn't it?
She was kind to him once.
Kind?
He was injured in the street.
Set upon by a gang.
She stepped in and rescued him.
After that he kept wanting to go and meet her.
She bled him dry, all his money he spent there!
They never do anything!
He just sits there and admires her.
Oh?
Are you telling me he never laid a finger on her?
Your son, he was baptized a Catholic?
What's that got to do with anything?
He keeps grabbing at his neck.
Did he wear a chain?
The girl... Something was found in her fingers.
Oh...!
Sweet Jesus.
(SHE SOBS) You're late back.
-Mmm.
-She insisted on waiting.
Poor girl.
She's too sweet-natured.
I'll order her carriage around.
Where have you been all evening?
Actually, I've been to a brothel.
Maybe don't mention that when your mother asks...!
Hello, Doctor.
Congratulations, Reinhardt.
The killer in custody already!
This calls for a little celebration.
ALL: Cheers!
Thank you.
Congratulations.
Inspector, do you think we'll find the weapon?
I'll instigate a search.
We go to his home at dawn.
Well done, my friend.
Where did your friend go, the Jew-Doctor?
I thought you couldn't function without him?
It must be embarrassing.
The Commissioner won't let you take charge unless Liebermann's holding your hand.
What was that you said?
All these people congratulating me.
I can't hear you.
-Congratulations.
-Thank you.
-Congratulations.
-Thanks.
What he did to those women...
I've got two daughters.
Just give me half an hour alone in a room with him.
(TICKING) WOMAN'S VOICE: Amelia.
You're completely safe here.
We missed you this evening, Max.
Yes, er, sorry.
Why are you up so late?
I wanted to tell you about my evening.
Rather an unconventional party, as it turned out.
-Yes, look... -I mean, with the groom running out on his future bride.
If you wanted to create an impression, you certainly succeeded.
What was so important?
The murder in Spittelberg.
And you just had to be there?
Yes - the police needed me.
The nature of the crime, it was...unusual.
Pathological obsessive.
Obsessive is certainly the right word here.
-Leah... -You're a doctor, Max.
A junior doctor.
Whatever ambitions you may entertain...
Your impression of Mother is really getting sharp now.
-Keep working on it.
-Oh, just shut up -and listen to me!
-Clara is my friend.
I care about her.
I wish you'd look at yourself for a change instead of those damned patients!
Look at your own behavior.
What do you think it says?
This is not how a man in love behaves.
(DOOR SHUTS) (BELL CHIMES) Are you planning to follow me around every time I have a murder case?
Yes, that's my current plan.
Hmm.
Lucky me.
My son is innocent!
You have no right to be here.
We need to find the weapon.
Are you going to help me look?
Or did you just come for a fun day out?
Hmm?
Something's troubling me.
His mother said he spent all his money on going to see that girl.
So, what of it?
Well, she was his addiction.
Why would he destroy the thing he loved?
We need an explanation.
MAN: Sir!
You need to see this!
WOMAN: No, my son works in an abattoir!
A break-in at the city zoo.
A reptile was stolen - butchered.
Found it draped by a statue of Mozart.
So, somebody doesn't like music.
(KNOCK AT DOOR) Inspector?
Sort this out, von Bulow.
It's a damned snake!
Did he try to explain the blood?
His mother says he works in an abattoir.
This is it.
This is the evidence we needed.
Well done, Rheinhardt.
And what about motive?
The man's clearly insane!
Insane is not a catch-all, Inspector.
Even the most disturbed mind has its own kind of logic.
Anything else to add before we charge him, Doctor?
The killer exhibited what I can only describe as two opposing personalities.
Extreme brutality, yes, but also a kind of love.
The way he cleansed the corpse of the youngest victim.
He visited the brothel every day.
Exactly - love, obsession.
But the other half is missing.
What are you saying?
I'm not convinced he's the killer.
OSKAR: I've got a suspect in custody downstairs with blood sprayed around his damned apartment!
We know he was on the scene.
Why are you so keen to let him go?
MAX: Why are you so keen to charge him?
OSKAR: God, you're still insufferable.
People are scared.
We needed to make an arrest.
Look, I admit, he's gruesome.
He's unprepossessing, he's slow.
He plays into all our prejudices.
It doesn't make him a killer, though.
Doctor, this is my domain.
Thank you, but I didn't invite you.
(CROWD SHOUTING) Gentlemen, settle down, please.
Gentlemen, please, please.
I'm proud to say that we have charged someone for the brutal killings in Spittelberg.
What about a name?
Can you give us a name?
Oskar Rheinhardt was the arresting officer.
Can you tell us?
Can you give us some details?
Is there something you can tell us about...?
The name of the accused is Viktor Krull.
K-R-U-L-L. (CROWD SHOUTING QUESTIONS) Patient admitted yesterday.
49-year-old male, suffering from a most unusual disorder.
What I can only describe as a sort of erotic paranoia.
He believes the Emperor's daughter, the Archduchess Marie, that they are betrothed.
That they are lovers, in fact.
He was arrested yesterday trying to scale the gate of the palace.
Bieber, his name is, a book-keeper.
Who wants to do the preliminary examination?
Er, I will, Professor.
Liebermann, are you sure you're not too busy with your other engagements?
Herr Bieber?
My name is Dr Liebermann.
I know what goes on here.
I know your barbaric methods.
Well, I only want to talk to you.
"Talk"?!
Sunday afternoon I was walking to the tram station, just beyond the palace.
Something caught my attention.
I saw something behind the window.
I...
I knew it was her.
I knew she was signaling to me.
How did you know the signal was meant for you?
When you meet your true love, Doctor, the power of this attraction is just irresistible.
So you believe you and the Duchess were pre-ordained as lovers?
Everyone has a true love, Doctor.
Surely you believe that?
It would be easier for you to try to stop the sun from crossing the heavens than to prevent our union.
BIEBER: We are simply meant to be together.
Well, I'm glad I suggested we come here.
It's been a real treat.
Particularly the conversation.
Sorry, Clara.
My friends told me not to marry you.
Which friends?
Your sister has been pretty damning.
Yes, well, she's never forgiven me for the time I cut her doll's hair.
You see?
You do know how to smile.
Do you think obsession is the same as love?
What are you trying to tell me?
I want to be with you, you want to be with me - surely that's enough.
I wasn't talking about us, Clara.
I was just thinking about a case.
-I'm sorry.
-No...
I want you to talk about it.
We're going to be married.
I want to be a part of everything.
Wait for me.
Miss Lydgate.
Dr Liebermann.
Er, yes, of course.
You work here, I forgot, sorry.
So, you decided to stay in Vienna?
Apparently.
Oh, yes...
I thought you might have left.
Well, how could I, after your city's extraordinary hospitality?
I'm sorry, er, I must go.
I have thought about you... ...actually, I had wondered... Hello.
Er, er, you remember Miss Lydgate?
No, I don't...
I don't think we've met.
Miss Clara Weiss.
My, er, fiancee.
-Delighted.
-Delighted.
Please, don't let me interrupt.
Enjoy your visit.
(SHE SCREAMS) Crazy woman.
She doesn't remember me.
She doesn't remember any of it.
Congratulations.
You're going to be a very wealthy man.
I'm grateful for your investment.
I have an eye for a successful venture, Herr Liebermann.
These new premises will be magnificent.
I'm going to start interviews for staff immediately.
What sort of people will you be employing?
-I'm sorry?
-Hungarians?
Czechs?
You seem to have quite a few already.
So many citizens of the Empire, flocking to make their home here.
Will you take a little advice from a friend?
(PAPER RUSTLES) I found this.
The mood of the city is changing.
There you are, sir.
Splendid!
-Inspector?
-(SIGHS) I don't think I could've survived another minute -without your presence... -You charged him?
Yes, I charged him.
We had all the material evidence.
And then you plastered his name all over the newspapers!
People need reassurance.
They need to know the city's safe.
Please do have a seat.
I know this man, Inspector.
He's been met with rejection his whole life.
And then, finally, when someone showed him kindness...
I think he went over there and found her, her body bathed in blood, her throat cut, and he was distraught.
So, he washed the corpse and he placed the crucifix in her hands, but he didn't kill her.
You want to convince me?
I need proof.
What do you think we'll find here?
First piece of the puzzle.
All right.
Thank you.
Madame Borek.
The owner?
Something about her state of mind doesn't make sense.
See... ...she kept the door locked up and bolted tight.
Had more than her fair share of trouble.
Yes, that's exactly my point.
Yet she let a killer waltz in here with a weapon in his hand.
(SIGHS) God.
Max, my officers already searched the place.
Yes, but... ...they didn't know what they were looking for.
A-ha!
See?
Why didn't she reach down here and draw this gun?
Why didn't she try to stop him from entering?
Oh, you want me to guess what you're thinking?
Good, because I love playing your games.
Customer walks in here, flourishing three feet of hardened steel.
And she simply curtsies and welcomes him in?
The gun is untouched.
Explain that to me.
Somehow...he didn't seem threatening.
Good.
Why?
Somehow... ...she expected him to be holding the weapon.
Excellent.
Why?
Oh, for God's sake, just tell me!
I was at the museum today... ...strolling through the crowds.
Two soldiers walked straight past me, armed with regimental swords.
No-one was alarmed.
No-one commented.
It didn't seem out of the ordinary.
So, you think he was a soldier?
It would have made his weapon practically invisible.
It's dated same day as the murder.
It's an IOU from a lieutenant.
Well?
Don't say it.
Welcome to the case, Inspector.
We know you were in that room.
That you washed her body.
You put the cross in between her hands.
I know you're afraid of admitting to have been there.
For God's sake, they'll hang you!
I need you to tell me what you saw!
We're getting nowhere, Doctor.
Could you show me?
Show me what you saw.
Get some paper.
Here.
(BREATHES UNSTEADILY) It's not conclusive.
But... All right, it's worth investigating.
-I'll visit the barracks.
-And the blood - if what his mother said is true, it may not even be human, but we have no proof it belonged to those girls.
(FOOTSTEPS APPROACH) A test?
To determine if it's human or animal blood.
Does such a test exist?
Yes - precipitin, it's a simple chemical reaction.
You can leave the samples with me, Doctor.
Max.
I'm no longer your doctor.
Thank you.
Our regiment lives by a code.
A strict code of honor before God and our country.
What you are suggesting is preposterous, Inspector.
The officers of the Dragoons are not grubby murderers.
-Colonel... -These men are my sons.
If one of them truly was a killer, as you suggest, then I would hold myself responsible.
I would take out my pistol, hold it to my head and blow my brains out.
That won't be necessary.
I just need a list of officers garrisoned in Vienna.
MUTTERING: Soul of Christ, sanctify me.
Body of Christ, save me.
Got some friends for you, Viktor-boy.
Keep you company.
(VIKTOR CONTINUES PRAYING) It's you.
You're the sick bastard who bled those women.
(COUGHING AND CHOKING) (THUMPING AND GRUNTING) (THUDDING) Not human.
AMELIA: Animal blood.
Forgive me, what is the area of your expertise, Miss...?
...Lydgate.
I'm a scientist.
A researcher at the museum.
I asked Miss Lydgate to consult on the case, Inspector.
We need to release him.
And you need to tell the press.
-(FOOTSTEPS APPROACH) -Excuse me, sir.
Down in the cell block.
Something's happened.
MAN YELLS: Sick bastard!
He got what he deserved!
-May he burn in hell!
-Enough!
SERGEANT: Just vagrants.
We had nowhere else to put them.
Busy night.
Still...
It's a kind of justice.
Tell me you didn't put them in here deliberately.
I told you...
It was very busy down here.
You are not the damned judge and jury!
He got what was coming to him.
(CHOKES) I'm responsible.
-I did this.
-Oskar, listen.
Whoever butchered these women, he's still out there.
The only way to atone for this mess is to find him!
Oskar, please, wait!
Don't blame yourself.
Oskar!
Oskar!
Oskar, don't go!
VON BULOW: Dr Liebermann!
May I speak with you a moment?
VON BULOW: I'm interested in your opinion.
What sort of man would do that?
You have a particular insight.
You've been very helpful to Rheinhardt and I was hoping you could be as helpful to me?
We speak the same language, Doctor.
Surely we can work together.
It's not a random act.
The snake is a symbol.
A symbol of what?
Well, find the significance, you'll find the perpetrator.
Your father's found new premises.
Seidengasse.
-(DOOR OPENS AND CLOSES) -Four floors - prime site.
Oh?
Sounds interesting.
Twice the size of the offices by the Prater.
Something wrong, Max?
Where did you get this?
A friend came across it.
Have you been rooting through my things?
I was looking for some cufflinks.
Have you read it?
Rachel, perhaps if you're finished, you might...?
Yes, of course.
I'll leave you two alone for a moment.
Leah?
Do you know me at all, my son?
-Is this who you think I am?
-It's a call to arms!
Merge with the German Reich before our Aryan blood is tainted!
Oh, don't concern yourself.
Don't concern myself?!
You can't fight every battle, Max!
This city is sick, Father.
Beneath all this ornament, there is an ingrained sickness and we can no longer turn our backs.
What sort of band shall we hire?
Band?
Our wedding.
Remember?
Sorry.
Max, where are you?
You've been drifting.
Yes, I know.
I'm sorry, Clara, it's this damned case.
You're restless every time we meet.
Bored, even.
I feel like I'm just an interruption in your day.
Just tell me what's wrong!
-Clara, I... -No!
Please don't follow me.
(CLUCKING) A poultry seller.
Czech.
Look at the pattern of wounds.
It's the same.
It's exactly the same.
Krull wasn't the killer.
Now we have proof.
(CREAKING) (CLUCKING) Oskar!
Oskar, wait!
The marking on the wall.
It's a signature.
It tells us something crucial.
What?
What does it tell us?
He wants us to find him.
We're a part of his plan.
You and I. Max?
MAX: Krull must have moved the bed to make his shrine.
(SIGHS) I know this symbol.
"Purify our blood"?
Max, who's responsible for this?
Gustav von Triebenbach.
I told you, he's a friend.
He's honorable, a decent man.
He found it and he thought I should see it.
The Brotherhood of Primal Fire.
No name.
No address of a printer.
Wait.
No artist leaves his work unsigned.
There.
On the leg.
"A Olbricht".
OSKAR: Andreas Olbricht?
Inspector Rheinhardt, Leopoldstadt Police.
This is my colleague, Dr Liebermann.
This is your work?
What is this about, exactly?
Is this your design?
For the opera, The Magic Flute.
Ah, yes, I'm taking Clara.
Hasn't been on in Vienna for years.
Tell me about the pamphlet.
A private commissioner.
Paid in cash.
Wanted something with a classical theme.
And the symbol on the shield?
Specifically asked for it.
Look at the content.
Have you read it?
A job is a job.
Politics do not interest me.
"Consecrate our earth"?
It's a call to arms.
"Rid Vienna of the inferior races"?
Commissions are hard to come by.
That's why I'm doing this.
It is paying for my meals.
Five people have been murdered.
Whoever commissioned this work, there's a chance he inspired the killer.
We just need to know who paid for it.
And if I tell you... ...then I could lose business.
Damn it, we're talking about murder!
You get in my way, I'll drag you to trial for obstructing justice!
OLD WOMAN: Andreas?
What's... What's happening?
What's going on?
Just some visitors.
Nothing to worry about.
Go back to sleep, Mother.
-Oskar... -All right, all right!
There's an exhibition of my work.
The men you want... ...the men who commissioned this... ...they will all be there.
"All"?
The Brotherhood of Primal Fire.
MAX: Inspector Reinhardt.
REINHARDT: Doctor.
What is it?
MAX: The killer is preaching a political message.
REINHARDT: You see?
It's not the work of some lunatic.
Let's get to work, Doctor.
MAN: I found this.
MAX: The Brotherhood of Primal Fire.
REINHARDT: One of them is responsible.
CLARA: Max, what's the matter?
MAX: You wanted to share my world, Clara.
CLARA: I want to know all your secrets.
AMELIA: I don't think we should see each other again.
CLARA: Do you love her?
Get out!
REINHARDT: It's not random.
MAX: NO.
Oskar!
MAN: I will kill him.
REINHARDT: I have to be a hero.
Video has Closed Captions
Preview: S1 Ep3 | 30s | A killer’s gruesome calling cards and seemingly random choice of victims confuse Oskar. (30s)
Video has Closed Captions
Clip: S1 Ep3 | 2m 51s | On an outing together, Clara asks to be more involved in Max’s life. (2m 51s)
Video has Closed Captions
Clip: S1 Ep3 | 1m 54s | Max’s sister lectures him about his work and relationship with Clara. (1m 54s)
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