Vienna Blood

Vienna is a city obsessed by titles.

In London, I was Max. Just Max.

In Vienna, I am Dr Maximilian Liebermann,

physician, neurologist... and Englishman...

...of course. They don't let you forget that.

The capital of a thousand-year-old empire,

it's also a pedant's heaven.

A family's reputation can be ruined by

the length of a woman's hem.

There are rules here for everything.

Romantic memories are pathogenic. They create disease.

Banishment of painful, emotionally charged memories

from one's consciousness requires an active repressing mechanism.

This is Vienna's gilded age,

and yet there is something unsettling deep below the surface...

...a shadow realm the city is struggling to hide.

Welcome to Vienna.

Welcome to my world.

Holy Christ!

Do we have a name? Neighbours didn't know her.

What's she saying? You speak Slovak.

Just nonsense.

Get her out of here.

Go out, out. Please.

"God forgive me. I have tasted forbidden fruit

"and he will take...

"..take me to hell."

A suicide.

Then where's the weapon?

Someone must have come in here and taken it.

Door was locked from the inside.

Bolted. It's the third floor. Impossible to climb.

It doesn't make sense. If she'd killed herself,

the weapon would still be here.

The assailant tried to dress the thing up as suicide, panicked

and forgot to leave the weapon.

Her door was locked. The key was on the inside.

Windows? Flue? Welded shut.

No-one could have made it in or out of there.

So you are saying we have an invisible weapon

and a killer who can pass through walls, Inspector?

You were on duty when the call came in?

I'm not sure this is the right case for you, Rheinhardt.

It's a cab rank!

We take the first case that comes.

Very well.

There is someone I need you to meet first,

a junior doctor from the hospital.

He's asked to observe a criminal case.

I'd prefer not to have outsiders...

You're to afford him every courtesy.

His father is a personal friend.

Dr Liebermann?

Inspector Rheinhardt.

What do I call you? Doctor?

Max. My name is Max.

And you?

Inspector.

Woman murdered in Leopoldstadt.

Shot through the heart at close range.

Killer laid her out like she was a model in a painting.

You're just here as an observer, right?

The psychopathy of the criminal mind.

Catchy.

A useless life is an early death.

Morning, Dr Behr.

There is muzzle bruising.

Also, some powder burns.

Look. Weapon must have been old,

antique.

How long has she been dead? More than a day. Less than two.

So, in terms of opportunity? You should widen your search

to everyone in the empire.

May I?

A little malnourished, perhaps.

No evidence of cholera. Anything else?

Sorry. Just observing.

Did someone put you up to this?

What? There is no bullet!

See? This is where it entered. But...

...there is no exit wound,

no sign of tampering, no surgery.

So what the hell happened here?

We are victims of a hoax.

Either that,

or someone has been practising witchcraft.

A vanishing gun...

...and a...

...ghost bullet.

She was some sort of mystic. Would you mind staying silent?

Please don't touch that!

No-one knows her. I knocked on every door. Got nothing.

I don't believe it. It's impossible.

No-one seen going in or out. No visitors.

What about the concierge? Rent was paid.

Slipped under the door every month. Says she doesn't know her name.

I want this whole area trawled for witnesses.

You don't sleep until you get me a name.

You understand? Erm...?

Haussman, sir.

Haussman. Someone must know something about her.

The weapon. We're looking for an antique gun.

Maybe a collector, somebody with military connections.

Do you have to do that?

What?

You're staring.

Well, I was told I could observe you.

Where would you prefer me to look?

I'd prefer it if you weren't here.

It was difficult to tell that from your manner...!

Remind me, why exactly are you here, Doctor?

I thought the Commissioner explained.

He said I was to tolerate your presence.

I'm making a study of criminal behaviour.

Really? Then why aren't you in a laboratory somewhere,

dissecting brains?

Because the way to study the mind is to observe the living,

for example, a policeman,

maybe 20 years of service,

a position of seniority,

and yet he is impatient, he's heavy-footed,

he's slamming drawers, eating coffee beans,

perspiring, even though it's cold in here,

forgetting the names of his colleagues.

So I would have to say he's anxious to get a result.

Not anxious.

Desperate.

Maybe it's been a while since he solved a case.

I know, and I'm sorry. It's six o'clock!

It's a quarter past six.

Well, I ran all the way. You're not even changed yet.

You're going to be horribly late.

So, did you meet with the Police Commissioner?

Yes. He's assigned me to a case.

A murder in Leopoldstadt. A young woman shot through the heart.

Hardly a fit discussion for the table!

Let's talk about something more pleasant.

Are you seeing Clara tonight?

Yes.

I'm taking her to see the Beethoven Frieze.

Last chance before it's sold. Sold?

Lovely girl. Such a sweet nature.

How are things between you two? Oh, Mother, you know there's no point.

Stop pushing him!

Max will do what Max wants to do.

There.

Gosh, yes.

The Beethoven Frieze.

Gustav Klimt. I wanted you to see it before it's gone.

It's...

Extraordinary, don't you think?

You don't like it.

I find it frightening, to be honest, Max.

Almost like a nightmare. Yes.

Images of madness.

Forbidden wishes.

I'm sorry.

You were hoping I would love it.

Painters these days, they are no longer content

just to paint you as you are,

smiling, in your best dress, beside a bowl of apples.

I think apples have had their day, Clara.

"To every age its art."

Would you pay more attention to me if I were to pose for you like her?

Well, I think everyone would pay you attention

if you were naked on a hundred-foot canvas.

Well then, perhaps I should volunteer.

Kiss me, Max.

Kiss me now.

Right here?

Yes.

We're playing a game.

Oh? What game is it this time, Clara?

It is called "Prove to me that I'm more attractive

"than a painting".

Hm. The Mayor.

Election time again.

Why don't I introduce you?

I'm no good at conversation.

Oh, Max! What will I do with you?

Sir. Thank you.

Don't touch me!

Don't...

...touch me!

Don't touch me!

Max? Get a carriage!

Quickly, Clara!

I need to admit a patient. Yes, sir.

Don't...

Please help me!

Please...

Please stop. Take her over there.

Please!

Search every apartment.

Knock on every door!

We need the victim's name!

Open up!

This is the police!

Knock on every door!

Do you know the name of the woman who lived upstairs?