Donkerbos

DONKERBOS

SEASON 01 # EPISODE 01 "Under the Rot"

No!

Why... why are you doing this?

I trusted you.

You...

You...

You...

DONKERBOS

SEASON 01 # EPISODE 01 "Under the Rot"

I thought you were right-handed.

Your gun is on the wrong hip, Wolf.

Yes?

Hikers. From Tzaneen.

Mom and dad were asleep. Son got up to pee, then he found the...

the...

Then he found it.

Other campers? - No, it was only them.

Out of season.

The boy came looking for Bigfoot. - Bigfoot?

Yes, here. In the forest.

Well, he found something.

Where’s the rest?

It was just... this.

There was nothing else.

Are these... bite marks?

Jackal?

Bigger.

Must be a caracal or a leopard.

Smell that? Under the rot.

Chemicals?

Formaldehyde.

It’s been dragged here.

From where?

Formaldehyde is toxic, so...

Whatever ate from the child is probably dead.

Who else did you call? - Tzaneen forensics.

On their way. Half an hour, max.

Right.

I need a larger perimeter.

Down to the reservoir.

Up to De Hoeke.

The pathologist in Louis Trichardt...

Claire... something... - Schlezinger.

Yes.

Tell her to come here. It’ll save time.

Get the dogs from Polokwane. We have to find that leopard.

Tell the hiker to come make a statement at 9.

No, 10. It’s Sunday.

Wolf! - Yes?

Get someone to talk to the boy.

Here. - Thanks.

You're probably used to this?

In the city, I mean...

when you were still a real detective.

Domestic violence... shootings.

A farm murder now and then, sure, we see a lot of those.

But this...

This fucking world.

Hey.

Hey.

Was it bad?

They only wake you up when it’s a bad one.

Can Francois come over later?

Don’t teenagers sleep late anymore?

So can he come?

We’re having a braai at their place this afternoon.

Okay.

Why are all the lights on?

Hey.

Where were you? Did something happen?

Poachers at Tshiledzi again?

What was it?

Yes. Still here.

I have to go to work after church.

On a Sunday? - Yes. We are behind on our quotas.

And you're coming to church with me. Both of you.

If we want to be part of this community... - We’ve been here for 3 years.

If they don’t like us by now, they never will.

It’s Oom Koos’ last Sunday.

Fine. - And you should wear a tie.

Sheep.

Are you talking behind my back?

It's a kid.

Well... part of one.

Fuck.

Near the waterfall.

It’s...

I don’t know what it is.

This feels like Pretoria.

Fanie...

I’ll go shower.

Braam went to Polokwane.

To fetch Sybrand.

Friends. I’m not going to say much.

I suppose after 30 years you must be tired of my voice.

The gospel is a torch made to pass on, to be handed over.

We’ve waited a long time for this man to get here.

And now he’s here.

Sent to us.

The Lord lifted this young man from hell and embraced him in His arms.

We are grateful for His mercy...

and we greet you with open arms.

The congregation, the town, welcomes you, Reverend Abel Roodt.

May the Lord bless you on your road ahead.

The Lord will bless you and keep you.

The Lord make His face shine upon you...

and be gracious to you.

The Lord lift up His countenance upon you...

and give you peace.

So shall they put my name...

upon the children of Israel...

and I will bless them.

Amen.

Leopard!

The boys said they found something?

Your wife’s doings?

I still can’t believe she arrested Apie for doing a bit of hunting.

In a game reserve?

She’ll learn how things works around here...

You’re being paid to work, not talk shit about my wife.

Rendani says you were late again.

You’re working late tonight.

Underwater?

That’s what it feels like.

You feel like you are underwater?

Usually I can... control it.

When I was a boy.

But when that fucker...

Mr. Steenkamp?

I don’t know how else to describe it.

Try.

Fuck, Doc. This is our last session.

You say you want to start working again.

Go back.

But if you’re not going to cooperate, I can’t help you.

You know Tobias, right?

Room at the end of the hall, on my floor.

Tall, thin bastard.

Foggy eyes.

Anyway...

we’ve been talking for a while.

And he’s got...

fuck all.

Not a cent to his name.

No house.

Not a soul on this planet who would pick up his little bag of ashes...

if he decides to cut his wrists tonight.

No one.

Did something happen... - And he’s still young.

30, tops.

What must a man do to reach that point?

How sharp is the blade with which you sever all your ties?

Why are we talking about Tobias? - And his parents are still alive.

Marble Hall, if you believe everything he says.

But that’s not the point. The point is...

He was also just a boy.

Just like you and me, Doc.

A normal boy.

Before all this shit happened.

A boy with dreams and wishes in that round fucking head of his...

and life grabbed him by the chest and said, How dare you?

You. Huh?

How dare you?

Take these drugs and sex and hatred and see what you can make of them.

I think we should rather focus on... - The point is the...

The point is, Doc...

The world is broken and no one is going to put it back together again.

And you say you want to go back to work?

What’s the point of that?

I feel better... really.

Not until you learn how to be honest about what happened.

So write down that I’m feeling better.

Sign it.

And allow me to go back to work.

Or I’m going to shoot myself.

If I’m being honest.

Tobias.

Hey.

Here.

Tobias.

My number.

For when you’re... feeling better.

I was serious.

Donkerbos is small, but there’s work.

You could stay with my brother and I.

Hey.

We understand.

Really.

Promise you’ll call me?

Braampie.

Is the house still standing? - Yes.

That’s great.

Don’t you want to drive?

No thanks.

WHERE IS SHE?

Sir, I can’t arrest him for that.

No...

Sir, it’s not a police problem if the potholes are getting bigger.

I'd...