Der Pass

Der Pass (English: The Pass) or Pagan Peak is an Austrian-German television crime drama series which premiered on Sky Deutschland on 25 January 2019. It was inspired by season 1 of the Danish-Swedish series, Broen | Bron (English:The Bridge). Der Pass was co-created by Cyrill Boss and Philipp Stennert, both of whom also direct and write scripts. Criminal profiler Alexander Horn advised on aspects of police procedures. The action is set largely in the Austria-Germany border area from Traunstein to Salzburg. In the first season of eight episodes, two detectives, German Ellie (Julia Jentsch) and Gedeon (Nicholas Ofczarek) from Austria, hunt a serial killer, Gregor (Franz Hartwig), who is using a Krampus mask as a disguise. The pilot episode, "Finsternis" (English: "Darkness"), had its world premiere on 21 September 2018 at the Tribeca TV Festival, ahead of the full series broadcast. Its Austrian debut was at the Urania Cinema, Vienna, on 15 January 2019, and its German premiere at Gloria-Palast, Munich, on the following day.

Der Pass
Also known as	Pagan Peak
German	Der Pass
Genre	Thriller crime fiction drama
Created by	Cyrill Boss Philipp Stennert
Inspired by	Broen | Bron by Hans Rosenfeldt
Screenplay by	Cyrill Boss Philipp Stennert Mike Majzen
Directed by	Cyrill Boss Philipp Stennert
Starring	Julia Jentsch Nicholas Ofczarek Franz Hartwig
Theme music composer	Jacob Shea
Composer	Hans Zimmer
Country of origin	Austria Germany
Original language	German
No. of seasons	3
No. of episodes	24 (list of episodes)
Production
Producers	Quirin Berg Max Wiedemann Dieter Pochlatko Jakob Pochlatko
Editors	Andreas Baltschun Lucas Seeberger
Running time	45 mins. (per episode)
Production companies	Wiedemann & Berg Film Production Epo-Film
Original release
Network	Sky Deutschland
Release	25 January 2019 (2019-01-25) – 27 May 2023 (2023-05-27)

Season 2 of Der Pass, also of eight episodes, commenced broadcasting on 21 January 2022. In this season, Ellie and Gedeon investigate when female corpses are found in the border area. Their killer Xandi (Dominic Marcus Singer) is protected by his family's business empire. A third and final season aired from 4 May 2023. Ellie and Gedeon track seemingly unconnected murders by Felix (Felix Kammerer) who is encouraged by Jackl the Knacker-imitator Stefan (August Diehl).

Premise

Season one Gedeon and Ellie attend a corpse at the border. It is the first victim of a serial killer, Gregor, who wears Krampus masks. Gregor warns "The Red Season Is Coming." Gedeon alerts authorities of Gregor's imminent bombing of a shopping mall; a child is killed. Tech-savvy Gregor hacks into Ellie's computer to stay ahead of the investigation. A copycat suspect is killed by police and authorities close the case. A year later, Gedeon is unconvinced and persuades Ellie to search for another victim. Gregor has moved next door to Ellie. He poisons both her and himself before being arrested. Gedeon saves Ellie's life. At a traffic stop, Gedeon is shot as gangland revenge.

Season two A year later, Ellie mentors junior detective, Yela, who is joined by Gedeon, as a police advisor. They investigate another serial killer, Xandi, who tortures, rapes and revives his female victims before killing them. Xandi uses folklore rituals when dispatching wild animals. Both Ellie and Gedeon are recovering from traumas. Xandi is protected by his older brother Wolfgang, his mother Therese, the family's employee Manni and investigating chief detective Manuel. Wolfgang kills Yela with his rifle. Gedeon smuggles rifle out of evidence archive at Therese's behest. Xandi is arrested and imprisoned for multiple murders. Wolfgang leaves for South Africa. Therese pays to have bullet removed from Gedeon's brain.

Season three Six months later serial killer Felix, follows instructions from his leader Stefan who poses as legendary figure, Jackl the Knacker. Ellie and Gedeon now have a fractious relationship. Ellie blames Gedeon for Wolfgang escaping justice. Gedeon also investigates location of his former abuser, Oskar. Felix successively kills Samir, Marianne, Tobias and Peter while praying to Jackl, "sequere me, te protegam" (English: "Follow me, I'll protect you"). Gedeon has hallucinations, takes pain-killers. Stefan is questioned but released due to insufficient evidence. Gedeon kills Oskar using Wolfgang's rifle. Ellie confronts Felix but he suicides. Internal Affairs investigates Gedeon and Ellie. Gedeon finds link between Felix' victims and Stefan, who has disappeared.

Cast

• Julia Jentsch as Ellie Stocker: Traunstein senior detective inspector, enthusiastic and thorough, has an affair with Claas, her boss
• Nicholas Ofczarek as Gedeon Winter or "Falcon": Salzburg detective inspector, cynical, dissolute and corrupt, nevertheless becomes fixated on catching the "Krampus killer". After being shot, Gedeon lapses into a coma, recovers but bullet remains in brain, organises surgery with Therese's finances
• Lucas Gregorowicz as Charles Turek: Munich sensationalist newspaper reporter, writes a book on the Krampus killer. Later works for Abendpost (English: Evening Post)
• Rony Herman as Sven Rieger: police task force's IT investigator
• Matthias Hack as Ben Heller: Salzburg police detective, Manuel's subordinate; becomes second-in-charge for Gedeon
• Martin Feifel as Christian Ressler: Austrian criminal profiler and case analyst
• Alexander Stecher as Oskar Maria Koschlik (alias: Mr Simic): notable, modern visual artist, alleged pedophile, investigated by Gedeon several years ago; sexually abused Gedeon while living with Gedeon's mother
• Sibylle Canonica as Therese Gössen: managed Gössen family interests, mother of Wolfgang and Alexander, protective
• Michael Fuith as Staatsanwalt Svoboda: Vienna public prosecutor, investigating Gedeon and Califati; later refuses Ellie's request to investigate Gedeon for corruption
• Christian Baumann (actor) as Thomas Braun: Ellie's deputy; later joins task force

Season one cast

• Franz Hartwig as Gregor Ansbach/"David Zeller": self-sufficient survivalist, tech-savvy, uses Krampus legends for his own ends, poses as David to become Ellie's neighbour
• Hanno Koffler as Claas Wallinger: Traunstein police commissioner, Ellie's superior, has an affair with Ellie
• Lukas Miko as Sebastian Brunner: doomsdayer/survivalist, Six Brothers cult leader, styles himself as "Cernunnos"
• Nataša Petrović as Milica Andov: illegal Macedonian refugee, mountain inn employee exploited by her boss, Sara
• Julian Looman as Adam Litkowski: Salzburg detective on Gedeon's squad, promoted to inspector
• Theresa Martini as Louisa Baumgartner: woman missing for three months, found imprisoned and beaten at Six Brothers cult, remains loyal to Sebastian
• Victoria Trauttmansdorff as Johanna Stadlober: Salzburg police commander, Gedeon's boss
• Christopher Schärf as Jörg Hässmann: political candidate for governo
• Sarah Rebellato as Dalia Blani: police task force investigator, organises Dat.Sec's interviews
• Antonia Moretti as Joy: popular blogger on fashion and make-up, dates Rafael
• Gregor Kohlhofer as Rafael Conrad: heir to the Conrad family financial empire, dates Joy
• Christian Aumer as Widmann: Police Commissioner, replaces Claas, becomes Ellie's new boss
• Maria Bachmann as Martina Bartl: Munich newspaper editor, Charles' boss
• Hans Brückner as Joseph Klein: Bavarian Interior Minister, restructures task force
• Katrin Filzen as Sara Körner: innkeeper, exploits Milica
• Matthias Ransberger as Fred: mountain inn employee
• Kerim Waller as Karim: Califati's henchman
• David Zimmerschied as Felix Riffeser/"Manus": Sebastian's right-hand man at Six Brothers cult
• Harald Schrott as Johannes Tischler: cyber-security company Dat.Sec's owner, employs Gregor
• Reinhold G. Moritz as Hahn: ex-inspector, worked on Tischler's murder case
• Ernst Stötzner as Wolfgang Stocker: retired Traunstein city official, part-time hunter, Ellie's father
• Norbert E. Lex as Dominik Gross: head of Ortus Foundation, unscrupulous businessman, has an affair with his employee, Nuria
• Anna Sophie Krenn as Nuria Garido: Munich-based Spanish interpreter at Ortus Foundation, mistress of Dominik
• Clemens Aap Lindenberg as Chingiz Tajmanov or "Califati": Viennese crime lord, bribed Gedeon for information
• Ferdinand Dörfler as Vincenz Lang: Krampus mask maker, witness
• Jelena Jovanova as Ivana Andov: Milica's sister, who confirms Milica's identity
• Katharina Friedl as Miriam Tander: bomb victim's mother

Season two cast

Credits:

• Franziska von Harsdorf as Yela Antic: Traunstein police investigator, mentored by Ellie
• Dominic Marcus Singer as Alexander "Xandi" Gössen: wannabe piano virtuoso, younger brother of Wolfgang, who hunts, tortures and kills women
• Christoph Luser as Wolfgang Gössen: economic manager of Gössen family company, protective older brother of Xandi
• Erol Nowak as Manni Krois: hunter, taxidermist, works for the Gössens, instructs Xandi in folklore and preparing deer corpses
• Andreas Lust as Manuel Riffeser: Salzburg detective chief inspector, in charge of Tonia's and subsequent murder investigations, corrupted by Wolfgang's minions
• Gisela Aderhold as Alina Reichelt: anonymous help-line psychologist, contacted by Xandi
• Ben Felipe as Tom Neuner: Traunstein police officer, works with Yela
• Sophia Schiller as Laura Berger: Wolfgang's former girlfriend, in a coma for five years
• Roland Silbernagl as Konstantin Vogas: heavily disfigured, wildlife photographer
• Gabriela Garcia Vargas as Rebecca Afarid: Gössens' employee, becomes Wolfgang's current girlfriend
• Marie Sophie von Reibnitz as Tonia Roth: 18-year-old German cyclist and camper, visiting Austria, one of Xandi's first murder victims
• ? as Miriam Zänger: cross-country skier, one of Xandi's early murder victims
• Christina Cervenka as Clara Sidorow: prostitute, paid by Xandi to scream, later becomes another of his murder victims
• Claudia Kottal as Natalia Stanner: horticulturist, who is kidnapped, raped and tortured by Xandi
• Agnieszka Salamon as Jenny: Gössens' estate housekeeper
• Gisela Salcher as Daniela Berger: Laura's mother
• Hans-Maria Darnov as Alfons Holzmann: farmer, Xandi's neighbor, one of Xandi's last murder victims
• Rina Juniku as Rosalie Jonas: woman, paid off by Wolfgang to attend orgies, later a witness against the Gössens
• Lisa-Maria Sommerfeld as Lisa Hildebrandt: nurse's daughter, suspect in Ms Fischerauer's murder

Season three cast

Credits:

• Johannes Zirner as Rafael Lutz: Salzburg police detective, Ellie's love interest; becomes internal affairs investigator
• Claudia Kainberger as Pia Goiginger: police task force member, works for Ben
• Frederic Linkemann as Andreas Haas: former armed response policeman, self-declared Reichsbürger ("Free Germany"); stole gun used in shooting
• Victoria Mayer as Nadine Hofer: Traunstein Chief Inspector, transferred from Munich, becomes Internal Affairs investigator
• Felix Kammerer as Felix Riedle; son of Milan Kusev, tutored by Stefan, serial killer
• August Diehl as Stefan Polt: self-styled Jackl the Knacker, promises to protect his adherents
• Peter Miklusz as Kai Markstein: sometime Satanist, tutored by Stefan
• Lukas Walcher as Ermittler intern (English: "Internal Investigator"): Austrian Internal Affairs, determining whether Gedeon's corrupt
• Katia Fellin as Ina Mayer: lawyer, joins environmentalist protesters against Gössens' chalets, had affair with Tobias
• Gabriel Raab as Volker Zacher: Freilassing citizen, Marianne's fiancé, injured while escaping Felix
• Kolja Heiß as Gerichtsdiener (English: "Usher")
• Dolores Winkler as Marianne Eberharter: Austrian woman, Volker's fianceé

Episode guide

Season one

No. overall	No. in season	Title	Directed by	Written by	Original air date
1	1	"Darkness" (Finsternis)	Cyrill Boss, Philipp Stennert	Cyrill Boss, Philipp Stennert	25 January 2019 (2019-01-25)
Previous year: Austrian police arrive at an abandoned truck containing 20+ rotting corpses. Current: Gedeon is driven into the mountains. Ellie takes photos of a male corpse draped over a border stone. He was killed weeks earlier. Gedeon quickly off-loads the case to Ellie. He was transferred from Vienna after corruption allegations. Karim asks Gedeon to continue as Califati's mole. Gedeon ingests drugs via sugar cubes. Ellie's squad identifies the victim as the Bulgarian people smuggler, Stojan Slowejko. His imprisoned cousin, Petko, was the truck's driver. Martina assigns Charles to report on Stojan's murder. An audio recording plays, while a raven sits in a cage. Milica works in the inn's kitchen as Fred unpacks produce. After Fred smiles at Milica, Sara tells off Milica for flirting. Ellie and Gedeon interview Petko; Stojan had told him of a deal with a "man from the woods." German police find Stojan's van. Charles receives an anonymous thumb drive, which has Stojan's audio message, including "the red season is coming." Nuria has sex with Dominik at his chalet. Sebastian sits with his acolytes and children. A snowplough driver sees a nude, Nuria beside the road, she screams.
2	2	"The Red Season" (Die rote Jahreszeit)	Cyrill Boss, Philipp Stennert	Cyrill Boss, Philipp Stennert, Mike Majzen	25 January 2019 (2019-01-25)
Sebastian tells imprisoned Louisa of his post-apocalyptic dreams. Gedeon wakes to his phone's incessant ringing. Califati's son, Umid wants Gedeon to clean-up his murder of a prostitute. Gedeon secures the weapon. Gedeon is called to the chalet scene. Nuria is in surgery. Police find Dominik's corpse posed as Stojan's. Fred joins Milica for a smoke, Sara scowls at Milica. Charles links the two murders and publishes a photo of Ellie and Gedeon. A doctor tells police that Nuria would have seemed dead before recovering. The killer disabled Dominik's security. Ellie theorises the killer is playing to his audience. A witness describes Sebastian as the "red season" harbinger. Manus falsely claims Sebastian had left. Gedeon sees Krampus references in the buildings and takes a photo of Sebastian's hunting party. Charles receives another thumb drive, he wants a deal with police but Ellie refuses. It is Dominik's audio message. Politicians agree to form a joint task force, led by Ellie. Christian profiles the killer as a narcissistic sadist with considerable intelligence. Gedeon tells Califati his payment for saving Umid: he is out, no more missions, no more information. Nuria provides a sketch of her attacker, he wears a Krampus mask.
3	3	"The Man from the Forest" (Der Mann aus dem Wald)	Cyrill Boss, Philipp Stennert	Cyrill Boss, Philipp Stennert	1 February 2019 (2019-02-01)
Ellie outlines Krampus myths, Sebastian's pseudonym, Cernunnos, links him to Krampus. Gedeon and Ellie focus on a recent missing person, Louisa. Her mother identifies Sebastian as Louisa's visitor. Police raid Six Brothers farm. Louisa is held prisoner but she lashes out. Gedeon charges Sebastian after two of his under-age acolytes are found to be pregnant. Gedeon says Sebastian is not the killer. Christian agrees. Sebastian exploits acolytes but has no need to kill. Claas and Ellie have sex. Milica keeps stones to remember her family. Ellie wants to use Sebastian's blogs to entrap the killer but Claas vetoes it. Charles publishes Nuria's Krampus image: the task force has a leak. Gregor drives to a shopping mall. He gives his son, Severin a picture book. Gregor cyber-stalks Joy, accesses her phone and finds she dates Rafael. Gregor prepares a new Krampus mask. Gregor poses as a forestry ranger to meet Joy and Rafael. Gregor injects Joy with clear liquid. Later he marches her through a forest. Police find Rafael's corpse. A picture of Joy's corpse, hanging from a tree, is posted on her own blog. Gedeon sells information to Charles. Claas agrees to use Sebastian to trap Gregor. Gregor meets Milica.
4	4	"The Evil and the Naughty" (Die Bösen und Unartigen)	Cyrill Boss, Philipp Stennert	Cyrill Boss, Philipp Stennert, Mike Majzen	1 February 2019 (2019-02-01)
Current: Sebastian films Louisa walking through woods. He then shoots her. Two days before: Sebastian blogs an encoded message for Gregor. Charles receives a third thumb drive, but does not inform police. Instead he posts Joy's audio on the Internet. Jörg celebrates Mara's birthday. Charles interviews Jörg. Sven believes Gregor accepted their bait. Gregor directs Sebastian to a dark web chat site. Sebastian types police replies to Gregor. Jörg describes Gregor as a madman and monster. Gedeon tells Ellie that he leaked information to Charles, they argue. Gregor agrees to meet Sebastian if he kills someone. Gedeon finds Gregor used Jörg's phrases. Gedeon and Ellie decide Jörg is next and scramble to him. Jörg arrives home, the lights go out, Gregor is waiting but he is thwarted when police arrive. Ellie finds an open door but no one is visible. Gregor rages in his car, sees Mara walk past and bashes her to death. Gedeon hands more information to Charles. Police and Sebastian fake the shooting of Louisa. Current: Sven sends faked footage to Gregor, who agrees to meet Sebastian at sunrise. However, Gregor visits Ellie's home, copies her phone and hard drives, photographs her diary and notebooks.
5	5	"Masks" (Masken)	Cyrill Boss, Philipp Stennert	Cyrill Boss, Philipp Stennert	8 February 2019 (2019-02-08)
Seven years earlier: After pointing out Dat.Sec's vulnerabilities, Johannes hires Gregor. Later he promotes Gregor to his secret deputy. Johannes, disturbed by Gregor's letters, rebuffs him and rescinds Gregor's deputy status. Gregor rages, kills Johannes and steals Dat.Sec's codes. Current: Sebastian abandons Louisa, when leaving the farm. Gedeon refuses to give Staatsanwalt information on Califati. The task force researches unsolved rage murders. Adam finds Johannes' murder case. Gregor explodes a car in the forest. Sara unfairly docks Milica's pay. Fred attempts to rape Milica but she runs off. Hahn describes Johannes' death and associated data theft. Gregor listens in as Ellie reads out his letters to Johannes. Dalia schedules Dat.Sec employees for interviews. Gregor hides Milica from Fred. He places bomb-making chemicals in a storeroom. Gregor explains to Milica that his opus is about human civilisation falling apart. He records Ellie and Claas having sex. Thomas interviews Gregor, who claims he had no social contact with Johannes. He fills out a form, left-handed. Gregor is placed in a line-up. Vincenz does not recognise anyone. Gregor passes behind Ellie and sniffs her hair. Wolfgang collapses and falls from a deer stand. Gregor drives a bomb-laden van.
6	6	"Of flesh and blood" (Aus Fleisch und Blut)	Cyrill Boss, Philipp Stennert	Cyrill Boss, Philipp Stennert, Mike Majzen	8 February 2019 (2019-02-08)
Gregor changes his van's number plates, but is delayed by a ranger. Ellie visits Wolfgang in hospital. Gedeon is subpoenaed for obstruction. Gregor parks at a shopping mall and sets his bombs. The task force notes unusual activities including the ranger's report on Gregor's van. Gedeon asks Sven to check the mall. Sven describes a false Christmas sale. Gedeon orders authorities to evacuate the mall. Gedeon contacts Ellie, who is closer. Ellie arrives and sees a dead child. When Gedeon arrives, he notices Gregor observing. He wears a mask and eludes Gedeon. Gregor returns home and checks news websites. He vents his frustration that more people did not die. Milica is shocked by his reaction. At a news conference Ellie disputes Charles' description of Gregor as a political terrorist, instead he is a vainglorious coward targeting children. Karim warns Gedeon that Galafati knows about his subpoena. Claas and Ellie have sex. Gregor sends audio and video to Charles. Gedeon tells Ellie to ignore reports about her affair. Claas focuses on saving his job. While Gregor is outside chopping wood, Milica enters his cellar. She learns that he is the Krampus killer and flees. Milica phones police emergency but Gregor arrives.
7	7	"The Storm" (Der Sturm)	Cyrill Boss, Philipp Stennert	Cyrill Boss, Philipp Stennert	15 February 2019 (2019-02-15)
Gregor chokes Milica and burns her effects. Ellie is vilified for her affair instead preventing the bomb. Klein announces that Ellie is demoted, Claas is replaced by Widmann. Gedeon rails against Klein's populist restructuring. Sven sells Louisa's fake video to Charles. Gregor buries Milica's corpse. Charles contacts Louisa. While walking from his bogged car, Gregor falls and breaks his leg. Charles is called by a Krampus copycat. Gedeon asks why no one works on Milica's call. Widman counters they follow other leads. At a farmhouse, Charles sees a farmer and officer are dead. A blast injures police. Charles photographs the culprit, who is killed. Klein publicly confirms they got the Krampus killer. Gedeon is suspended after he tells the press that police killed a copycat. Charles uses Louisa's treatment to blackmail authorities to access police files. Ellie breaks up with Claas. One year later: Ellie works on sexual assaults and buys a property. Sebastian tells Gedeon that Gregor's threatening calls restarted, two weeks ago. Last week, Louisa killed herself. While suspended, Gedeon continues his own investigation. At a book signing Charles hands a copy to Gregor. An empty envelope is delivered to Charles. Gregor lives next door to Ellie.
8	8	"Angels" (Engerl)	Cyrill Boss, Philipp Stennert	Cyrill Boss, Philipp Stennert	15 February 2019 (2019-02-15)
Hunters find Milica's corpse. Johanna has retired. Adam replaced Gedeon and rejects his return to active duty. Gedeon steals Milica's files and leverages Umid's knife to get Staatsanwalt to reinstate him. Karim warns Gedeon that Umid was arrested. Gregor, as David, meets Ellie. Gedeon convinces Ellie to research Milica's case. She finds Ivana who confirms Milica broke her leg and kept stones. Gedeon uses Milica's last photo to find the mountain inn. Fred and Sara confirm Milica worked there. Fred describes the man in the woods' cabin. In the cellar, Gedeon and Ellie find Milica's stones and wood chips from masks. Gregor listens-in as Ellie asks for to reopend the Krampus case. Gregor's ex-girlfriend leads Gedeon to his address. Ellie arrives home, Gregor enters and removes a raven. They share a drink. Gedeon realises Gregor is Ellie's neighbour. Gregor professes his love and asks for a kiss. Gedeon arrests Gregor, who claims his last work is progressing. Gedeon tells Ellie that Gregor made a full confession. Next morning Ellie is critically ill. Gedeon has Ellie evacuated. Despite Karim's death threats, Gedeon stays at Ellie's bedside. He tells Ellie that Gregor died. Gedeon drives off but is shot by a motorcyclist.

Season two

No. overall	No. in season	Title	Directed by	Written by	Original air date
9	1	"Test" (Prüfungen)	Cyrill Boss, Philipp Stennert	Cyrill Boss, Philipp Stennert	21 January 2022 (2022-01-21)
Manni reads a folk story to Laura. Xandi hunts and sees Konstantin walking nearby. Later Xandi, on piano, auditions for an orchestra. Ellie details Ms Fischerauer's death for her squad. Yela and Tom interview Fischerauer's carers, one describes Lisa. Yela sees photos of Fischerauer's dog; Fischerauer was strangled by its lead. At his workplace Wolfgang notices Rebecca. Thomas denies Yela's request to assist at Lisa's interview. Yela visits her dad in prison. Xandi picks up Tonia and drops her off at a campsite. Thomas interviews Lisa, who loaned Fischerauer's key to her ex-boyfriend. Xandi arrives at his family's estate, reads his audition rejection letter. Yela and Tom join Thomas' operation to capture Lisa's ex-boyfriend. Ellie works alongside Yela when SWAT officer, Thoma approaches, however Ellie sees a Krampus image and raises her gun. Yela breaks Ellie's concentration: Ellie lowers her gun. Other SWAT members capture the suspect. Wolfgang charms Rebecca but leaves after a phone call. Xandi throws a tantrum: destroys his records and piano. Wolfgang helps Xandi sober up. Later Manni and Xandi are hunting. Manni instructs Xandi in folklore and taxidermy. Gedeon dreams he is driving.
10	2	"Evil in the Eyes" (Das Böse in den Augen)	Cyrill Boss, Philipp Stennert	Cyrill Boss, Philipp Stennert	21 January 2022 (2022-01-21)
Gedeon dreams he investigates a woman's insurance fraud. He wakes in a hospital bed – attached to a drip feed. Ellie arranges to requestion Lisa. Thoma declines to withdraw his accusation of Ellie's pointing her gun at him. Yela has not finished her report on that encounter: she asks Ellie to sit in on Lisa's interview. Xandi stopped playing piano as he was not good enough. Wolfgang asks Xandi to help the company's Uttanger project. Xandi stalks Tonia from a hunter's lookout. Yela observes Lisa's interview via screen. Ellie contends Lisa killed Fischerauer with the dog lead but foisted blame onto her ex-boyfriend. Mid-interview Ellie freezes with another Krampus vision – Lisa is released. Xandi sees Wolfgang kissing Rebecca, and leaves Wolfgang's office. Ellie is suspended to get treatment. Gedeon is visited by Califati's henchman, they want him to suffer. Tonia is running; bleeding and distraught she arrives at a fence. A guard on the other side is unable to help, she runs off. Ellie sends Yela to attend Tonia's corpse as their liaison officer. Tonia was tortured with multiple cuts before her throat was cut. Therese is having a facelift, she phones Wolfgang to look in on Xandi.
11	3	"'You Are My Brother'" ("Du bist mein Bruder")	Cyrill Boss, Philipp Stennert	Cyrill Boss, Philipp Stennert	28 January 2022 (2022-01-28)
Gedeon dreams of Oskar and panics during his MRI scan. He describes dreams to his psychiatrist but not about Oskar. Tonia went biking and camping in Austria. Wolfgang helps Xandi dispose of evidence from Xandi's 4WD. After the guard, Tonia ran north where Xandi killed her leaving no traces except shoe prints. He drove Tonia's corpse to dump her at the Zill river. Christian provides the killer's profile: he aims for victim control to fulfill sexual fantasies. Wolfgang encourages Xandi to seek anonymous therapy. Yela finds Xandi's lookout near her campsite and sketches an "A.I.P." stamp from inside. The campsite owner describes children frightened by Konstatin. Yela visits Gedeon who surmises the culprit hopes to remain unnoticed. He advises to hold a press conference. Manuel is against it but Christian agrees. After the conference Alena contacts police about a caller who could be the murderer. Police are listening when Xandi phones Alena. They try to locate him. Xandi becomes suspicious and destroys his phone – he called from near Zill river. Ellie observes Konstatin, searches his house. One year later: Manni gives Xandi the mounted deer head he helped prepare.
12	4	"The Poacher" (Der Wilderer)	Cyrill Boss, Philipp Stennert	Cyrill Boss, Philipp Stennert	28 January 2022 (2022-01-28)
Miriam skis, a van parks nearby, inside are nooses. Xandi, in snow camouflage, stalks her. Wolfgang reads police informant reports on Miriam's murder. Gedeon demonstrates the same perpetrator attacked Laura. Yela convinces Manuel to hire Gedeon – despite his bullet in the brain. Wolfgang realizes Xandi is unable to stop and asks Rebecca to leave while Xandi moves in. Daniela tells Manni that Laura was raped prior to her fall on the ice. Wolfgang frames Manni for Miriam's murder. Manni is questioned; Gedeon is unconvinced. Wolfgang is about to plant Miriam's wedding ring when Manni arrives home. Wolfgang falsely offers his lawyers and money. Manni tells all he knows. Xandi reads police reports, finds Yela's photo. After noting Manni lied about not knowing Laura, Yela advises his arrest. Wolfgang alerts Manni: police are about to attack. Gedeon contacts Manni's ex-wife – she alibis Manni. SWAT converge on Manni, Gedeon phones Yela who tells Manuel to abort the operation. Manni suicided and wrote "A.I.P." in his blood. Vidino tells Wolfgang their audit is satisfactory. Yela is suspended pending investigation of Manni's death. She goes to the Zill river, by chance she meets Xandi who recognizes her.
13	5	"Us Two" (Mir zwaa)	Cyrill Boss, Philipp Stennert	Cyrill Boss, Philipp Stennert	4 February 2022 (2022-02-04)
Gedeon has a vision of his past while driving. He stops driving and freezes. Manuel does not want Laura's case re-opened despite the connection to Manni. Ellie investigates Yela's murder: a rifle at close range shot her at Zill river's bank. Gedeon has a vision of Yela in a hospital waiting for news about her father. After meeting Manuel, Ellie goes through Yela's files and recognizes children's sketches of Konstatin. When interviewed, Konstatin supplies hard drives of wildlife photos set near Zill river. Police trawl through his photos and find some showing the back of a man walking along a path. Upon searching that location, they find a locked, disused mine entrance leading to a hunters' store of deer skeletons and antlers. Further in, they find Clara's corpse. Ellie sees "A.I.P." on a photo. Manuel leaks information to Wolfgang's minions. Therese tells Wolfgang she will step aside for him to takeover. Clara had been repeatedly cut, nursed to health, then cut again and raped repeatedly. Police believe the killer does not known Clara died and lay in wait. Wolfgang warns Xandi to stay away from the mine; he then kicks Rebecca out of his home and company.
14	6	"The Long Sleep" (Der lange Schlaf)	Cyrill Boss, Philipp Stennert	Cyrill Boss, Philipp Stennert	4 February 2022 (2022-02-04)
Five years earlier: Therese vetoes Wolfgang's Uttanger project. It would never be approved due to government restrictions. Wolfgang presents Laura with a toy musical carousel. Current: Ludwig bought the mine's lock. His widow describes arietem in perpetuum ("A.I.P." Animals Forever): an unofficial hunting club with influential members. Ludwig left when younger members subverted it into a brothel. After Laura was raped the club disbanded. Members signed non-disclosure agreements with Vidino. Vidino refuses to cooperate with Gedeon and Ellie. Xandi abducts his next victim, Natalia. Past: Xandi drives Laura and Wolfgang to a club party. Current: Ellie investigates Natalia's disappearance. Gedeon advises her to use Califati's contacts. In exchange for "A.I.P." members' book from Vidino they supply police files on Califati's rivals. Wolfgang's minion orders Manuel to provide everything on Gedeon and Ellie. Vidino's book includes a list of women who were paid off. One woman, Rosalie identifies Wolfgang and Xandi as those who raped Laura. Laura had an incriminating video of members' secret deals. Wolfgang wanted her silenced. Past: Manni demands Laura hand over her video, she refuses and he pushes her over. She falls to strike her head. After returning home Laura lapses into a coma.
15	7	"Behind the Mask" (Hinter der Maske)	Cyrill Boss, Philipp Stennert	Cyrill Boss, Philipp Stennert	11 February 2022 (2022-02-11)
Xandi tends Natalia's wounds, before resuming his torturing. Xandi hides Natalia on an unlisted property. Wolfgang is arrested by police from his office. Xandi is taken from a shopping center. Ellie and Ben interview Xandi, who feigns helpfulness and dismisses his lawyer. Gedeon and Manuel handle Wolfgang, who denies any connection to Laura. Alena confirms Xandi is the man who fantasized about cutting women. Ellie and Gedeon grill Xandi, who admits his fantasies but called a helpline and got better. Ellie talks to Xandi alone, with no recording, he admits killing the woman. Vidino barges in and stops the interview. Both Wolfgang and Xandi are released because Manuel has told Vidino everything. Manuel admits to Gedeon that he is Gössens' mole. Manuel leaves the police force. Gedeon collapses and is taken to hospital. Therese organizes for Xandi to be hidden in South Africa. Natalia breaks out of the locked room and makes it to Alfons' barn. Alfons flags Xandi down, who was driving to the airport, and asks for help for Natalia. Ellie has come to terms with her Krampus memories. Ellie finds Laura's video files. One shows Wolfgang and Jörg discussing paying for law changes for Wofgang's Uttanger project.
16	8	"Betrayal" (Verrat)	Cyrill Boss, Philipp Stennert	Cyrill Boss, Philipp Stennert	11 February 2022 (2022-02-11)
Therese secretly meets Gedeon, she bribes him to recover Wolfgang's rifle from the evidence store. Ellie send Laura's video file to Wolfgang and makes a deal to get Xandi arrested in exchange for the file. Police capture Xandi and rescue Natalia. At his arraignment Xandi gives details of all his murders, except Yela. Xandi shows neither remorse nor empathy for the victims. Inflicting pain and attaining sexual gratification motivated him. Both Austrian and German authorities are satisfied the Zill killings case is closed. Ellie returns to work but is dissatisfied with Xandi's account of Yela's murder. Ellie finds evidence of Wolfgang's car being nearby when Yela was killed. She illegally interviews Xandi in prison; he confirms Wolfgang knew of the Zill murders from Tonia onwards. Xandi says maybe Wolfgang did kill Yela, or maybe Xandi is making it up. Ellie finds Gedeon smuggled the rifle in exchange for Therese's neurosurgeon removing his bullet. Ellie is fired from the German police force for her ongoing investigations in Austria without authorization. Meanwhile Gedeon is lauded and returns to active service. Gedeon now sets his sights on capturing Oskar. Ellie tells Gedeon that she will get justice for Yela.

Season three

No. overall	No. in season	Title	Directed by	Written by	Original air date
17	1	"Episode 1" (Folge 1)	Christopher Schier	Robert Buchschwenter, Senad Halilbasic, Christopher Schier	4 May 2023 (2023-05-04)
Boy hesitates at forest edge. Ellie apologises to Yela's father; he rebuffs her. Six months later: motorcyclist Samir murdered by collision. Ellie and Rafael have sex. Felix rolls dice to determine whether person survives (Α) or killed (Ω). Ellie outraged as Gössens start chalet construction. Ellie determined to indict Gedeon for smuggling rifle. Gedeon enters rehab, remembers burning painting. Ellie observes construction site. Gedeon returns to work. German police investigate Samir's death. Felix provides witness statement. Ben's in charge during Gedeon's absence. Ellie's cool toward Nadine. Gedeon studies owners of Oskar's paintings. Svoboda asks Ellie for better evidence. Felix photographs Samir; snaps Samir's neck. Rafael reluctant to obtain evidence for Ellie. Gedeon hallucinating: standing over own gravestone. Gedeon's doctor prescribes fentanyl patches as painkillers but recommends further testing. Marianne arrives at mountain cabin; Felix rolls die: Ω. Marianne screams when she sees hooded man (Felix). Felix drags Marianna away. Fiancé Volker looks for Marianne. Felix ignites petrol surrounding Marianne chained to post. Felix taking photos as Marianne burns. Volker hears screams, runs outside; approaches Marianne's pyre but beaten back by flames. Volker screams, see Felix, who shoots at him. Volker jumps off cliff into river. Ellie interviewed by Internal Affairs.
18	2	"Episode 2" (Folge 2)	Christopher Schier	Robert Buchschwenter, Senad Halilbasic, Christopher Schier	4 May 2023 (2023-05-04)
Boy enters forest, joins other children around fire: all masked. Gedeon's team attends Marianne's corpse. Gedeon follows Volker's path to cliff; observed by Stefan. Volker found unconscious, hospitalized. Superintendent Heinze assigns Nadine as task force liaison with Gedeon. Ellie's insulted at being stepped over. Rafael searches Gedeon's desk but caught out by Gedeon. Felix processes photos. Ellie's determined to join task force. Gedeon introduces Nadine to team. Gedeon dismisses Rafael from task force. Nadine and Ben return to crime scene. Gedeon phones Oskar's painting owner, who denies it. Ben outlines historical burning murder perpetrated by Satanists. Members had SMTP tattoo. Of them, Kai survives. Satanists filmed burning woman. Stefan smears blood over himself. Ellie explains Gedeon's betrayal to Nadine. Nadine refuses to assist Ellie's unethical investigating Gedeon. Ellie takes case documents from Nadine's desk. Rafael joins Internal Affairs quizzing Ellie. Rafael asks about her friendship with Gedeon. Gedeon confronts painting owner; destroys painting. Owner provides seller's Italian phone number. Gedeon hallucinates while driving. Ellie appointed task force liaison after case notes discovered in café. Gedeon views film of himself as a child. Ellie enters task force center; greeted by Ben and Gedeon.
19	3	"Episode 3" (Folge 3)	Thomas W. Kiennast	Robert Buchschwenter, Senad Halilbasic, Christopher Schier	11 May 2023 (2023-05-11)
Child refuses to crush mouse with rock. Cowled figure shows boy die with Ω. Children walk past child hanging from rope. Gedeon phones Italian number: business closed. Ben tells Ellie: no identifiable DNA; Gedeon unreachable. Ellie notices evidence of dog in hut. Kai explains victim was willing sacrifice; claims their protector instructed him to kill woman. Ellie and Gedeon meet Kai's deaf mother; obtain his work address. Kai's alibi: night shifts at turkey farm. Kai claims repentance. Man (Tobias)'s throat sliced by Felix. Felix photographs scene. Wife enters and screams; Stefan observes her. Ben notifies Ellie of Tobias' death. Charles informs Ellie: Gössen link for Marianne and Tobias' murders. Tobias sold chalet land after his father refused. Marianne rezoned land for deal. Ina protests against Gössen chalets. Gedeon doubts linking murders but asks Pia to acquire Tobias' files. Internal Affairs officer asks about Gedeon's drug habit. Ellie saw no drug evidence. Felix prints Tobias' photos. Volker describes finding burning Marianne; someone fired gun as he ran. Pia finds Felix' bullet. Gedeon deduces Ellie leaked story to Charles. Kai's mother berates Kai over police visit. Kai and Felix pray "sequere me, te protegam". Gedeon searches Italian villa, someone knocks him out.
20	4	"Episode 4" (Folge 4)	Christopher Schier	Robert Buchschwenter, Senad Halilbasic, Christopher Schier	18 May 2023 (2023-05-18)
Andreas walks dog (Stella), shoots bird. Andreas reads Charles' murder report; masturbates to Felix' photos of victims. Gedeon disarms old man who sold painting to recover rent money after Oskar hospitalized. Ellie rails at Charles: too much detail, colleagues suspicious. Charles: Gedeon will meet Therese. Gedeon burns another painting. Thomas queries Charles' report's similarities to Ellie's linking murders. Ellie and Ben interview Ina; she claims not to know Tobias. Tobias allegedly attacked by protesters. Gedeon hallucinates about younger self; called to meet Therese. Kai no-show for work. Thomas tells Gedeon: gun identified as stolen by Andreas. Ellie and Ben arrest Andreas. Andreas does not recognize their authority; asks for his lawyer. Gedeon tells team: short time to find more evidence. Kai performs rituals, drinks turkey's blood. Andreas released. Ellie tells Internal Affairs she never saw Gedeon meet Therese. Charles to Ellie: meeting Therese, now. Rafael blocks Ellie's car preventing her following Gedeon. Ellie and Rafael argue, break up. Charles to Ellie: Ina and Tobias had affair. Therese gives Gedeon Oskar's medical files. Waldi tells Gedeon: never heard of Oskar. Ellie discovers Gedeon's investigating Oskar. Ellie brings unconscious Gedeon inside. Gedeon and Yela had affair. Felix kills Peter, Stefan watches.
21	5	"Episode 5" (Folge 5)	Thomas W. Kiennast	Robert Buchschwenter, Senad Halilbasic, Christopher Schier	25 May 2023 (2023-05-25)
Boy carries bucket through forest. Man bathes in blood with children nearby. Boy chased by horsemen. Sven analyzes Tobias' chat history: Tobias and Ina were lovers. Sven cannot determine whether Andreas sold gun to Felix. Gedeon unsettled by hallucinations and memories. Ellie queries Ina about her relationship with Tobias. Ina hoped Tobias would stop land sale but they broke up. Ellie and Gedeon attend school teacher Peter's corpse, which was found at swimming pool. Another victim of serial killer. Rafael asks why Ellie's changed her opinion of Gedeon. Ellie says she was mistaken earlier. Thomas: Peter killed by sharp stone. Christian: Kai fits killer's profile. Surveillance team discover Kai's corpse. Kai left suicide note. Gedeon notices Kai's drawing of Stefan. Police remove protesters' campsite as Ina returns. Rafael refuses to see Ellie. Gedeon reads about Jackl the Knacker, who gathered and taught children in the forest. Christian: killer becoming bolder with each murder. Ellie asks for Charles' help to get Andreas. Police now believe Samir was murdered; found cable wire points inside tunnel. Witness recalls Stefan watching him. Ellie finds Stefan's cave, inside are candles, disfigured Virgin Mary and Felix' prayer. Ellie to Gedeon: someone's hiding in forest.
22	6	"Episode 6" (Folge 6)	Thomas W. Kiennast	Robert Buchschwenter, Senad Halilbasic, Christopher Schier	27 May 2023 (2023-05-27)
Forensic investigators analyzing cave. Stefan observes police. Historians describe Virgin of Mercy; provide prayer translation. Gedeon tells Ellie: his mother Hilde died. Relates how they lived in Oskar's commune where Gedeon was abused. Gedeon sifts through Hilde's effects. Charles seeks spyware installer. Ben interviews Felix about Samir's death. Felix claims to be passer-by. Christian: desecration of Mary suggests hatred of maternal figure. Gedeon postulates killer follows role model. Felix, almost naked, enters forest hut. Folklorist relates history of Jackl the Knacker and related wizard trials. Jackl used sacred places: larges stones, waterfalls, caves. Felix and Stefan repeat prayer. Charles interviews Andreas. Ellie does not understand Jackl's connection to case. Gedeon believes there's more to learn. Charles installs spyware. Gedeon reviews Kai's interviews; believes Kai knew Jackl. Police reinvestigate Kai's drawings, writings. Charles' spyware finds Felix' photos. Andreas arrives, severely beats Charles, takes Charles' computer. At Internal Affairs, Rafael urges Ellie to incriminate Gedeon; she refuses. Kai met Stefan; learnt Satanism. Ellie visits Charles in hospital; tells her about USB backup. Theresa paid Charles to throw suspicion on Ina. Sven uses Kai's notes to locate where meetings occurred. Police approach hut, which explodes. Stefan appears behind Ellie and Gedeon.
23	7	"Episode 7" (Folge 7)	Christopher Schier	Robert Buchschwenter, Senad Halilbasic, Christopher Schier	27 May 2023 (2023-05-27)
Boy caught by horsemen; they hunt Jackl. Ellie and Gedeon interview Stefan: acknowledges Kai's painting; protected Kai. Stefan claims he has not killed anyone; identifies four victims. Christian: Stefan believes he's Jackl. Ellie: need Stefan's connection to victims. Boy leads horsemen to Jackl's cave. Boy dies aflame; children scatter, Jackl escapes. Police find Andreas' photos of Felix' victims; also other corpse photos. Felix' father Milan: shot with same gun. Aged care resident Stefan's mother (Irmgard): heart attack. Stefan: did not kill Irmgard but she did not protect him. Gedeon starts hallucinating, interview stopped. Gedean relives pain of Oskar's abuse. Charles sends to Ellie: Gedeon and Therese audio discussing hiding weapon. Nadine enters Internal Affairs interview; Ellie suspected Gedeon of smuggling rifle. Gedeon finds photo of Hilde with Oskar at Waldi's home. Gedeon collects Wolfgang's rifle. Ellie to Ben: lead Andreas' search. Ellie follows Gedeon to Waldi. Ben inside Andreas' secure room, Andreas kills Ben. Oskar calls for Waldi; Gedeon holds rifle but hesitates. Oskar cannot remember Gedeon but defends sexual abuses. Gedeon kills Oskar; Ellie arrives, Gedeon gives Ellie the rifle. Ellie prevents Gedeon from confessing; they have to finish murder investigation.
24	8	"Episode 8" (Folge 8)	Thomas W. Kiennast, Christopher Schier	Robert Buchschwenter, Senad Halilbasic, Christopher Schier	27 May 2023 (2023-05-27)
Andreas views CCTV: police entering hallway. Andreas kills Stella, kills himself. Gedeon burns Oskar's painting. Pia notices Felix was Irmgard's carer. Stefan exclaustrated 20 years ago; children lied. Felix met Stefan once. Stefan justifies scaring children with blood rituals. Gedeon hospitalized with aneurysm. Stefan: Felix was his student. Thomas connects Felix to Milan. Police obtain search warrant; Felix' gone, find his laptop. Ellie locates secret door: leads to dark room with corpse photos, Jackl prayer. Ellie returns to Jackl cave: finds Felix. Felix killed Milan: enjoyed feeling at moment of his death wanted repeat experiences. Felix: victims were randomly chosen by (Α/Ω) die. Felix suicides. Ellie sits at Gedeon's bedside; tells him about Felix. Stefan let loose as police cannot connect him to Felix' murders. Internal Affairs starts interviewing Ellie after Felix' death. Gedeon requests mobile phone. Nadine asks Ellie about Oskar's death by rifle. Ellie responds Nadine only has conjecture not hard evidence. After Ellie leaves, Rafael catches up: why protect Gedeon? Ellie: injustice sometimes committed to restore justice. Gedeon connects Stefan to Felix' murders: victims' initials same as prayers' initials. Four children were from Stefan's youth group. Ellie disposes of Wolfgang's rifle. Ellie and Gedeon dance in café.

Production

Co-creator Philipp Stennert acknowledged that Der Pass was inspired by the 2011 Danish-Swedish series, Broen | Bron (English:The Bridge) and oboserved, "Apart from the premise of two countries working together and finding a body on the border, everything else is pretty much a completely new story." The creators researched serial killers, including their online interviews, in developing the character of Gregor Ansbach (Franz Hartwig). The process was assisted by criminal profiler Alexander Horn (profiler). Unusually for a crime drama, the antagonist, Gregor, is revealed early in the series and has a more visible presence. Another deliberate effort is the evolution of both protagonists. Gedeon starts as a jaded, cynical and corrupt officer who becomes dedicated to catching Gregor, and who is protective of Ellie. Meanwhile, Ellie starts as a committed, enthusiastic and by-the-book officer who becomes a rule-breaker, slightly burned out and traumatised. Stennart described Ellie's character as difficult to write, "[one] who is truly good but also interesting."

Filming of Der Pass took place from November 2017 to April 2018 in both Austria and Germany, at Bad Gastein, Berchtesgaden, Graz, Söcking, Vienna, Grundlsee and Sportgastein. The series was co-produced by the Austrian company Epo-Film and the German company Wiedemann & Berg Film Production,. Production was supported by FilmFernsehFonds Bayern, Fernsehfonds Austria, the film funding of the state of Salzburg, the CINESTYRIA Filmcommission and Fonds and Film Commission Graz. Additional crew members were Andreas Baltschun and Lucas Seeberger for film editing, Thomas Oláh on costume design, Heike Lange on set design, Herbert Verdino, Walter Fiklocki and Quirin Böhm for original sound, Nico Krebsfor on final sound design and mixing, and Tatjana Luckdorf and Evgenia Popova on make-up Design.

The second season filming began in January 2020, however, it was delayed by restrictions due to the COVID-19 pandemic and resumed in April and continued intermittently to December 2020. For this season, Stennert described how, "It's so interesting to see how someone becomes a perpetrator in the first place. So this time we wanted to start following this guy before the first corpse." Broadcasting started on 21 January 2022 on Sky Deutschland and ZDF.

Reception

Ray Flook of Bleeding Cool reviewed the pilot episode of Pagan Peak, which depicts "crime scenes with symbolically posed victims, reminiscent of pagan rituals." Die Presse's Anna-Marie Wallner observed the series title, Der Pass, has multiple meanings, both the geographical location between Austria and Germany and the annual festival group of St Nicholas, Krampus and the Angel. Wallner praised the "courageous and rather unusual" storyline, where the villain is revealed to the audience in episode 3 while "tension nevertheless persists." Der Spiegel's Oliver Kaever felt, "It is about isolation, the power of the Internet and digital surveillance fantasies... [and] the enormously spreading grief here that man is a wolf to man. And the world is not a place that forgives."

External links

• Der Pass via Sky Deutschland (in German)
• Pagan Peak at IMDb