Ep 1. Not on My Sofa (English subtitled)

Crime Scene Cleaner is a German television series, which revolves around the character of Heiko "Schotty" Schotte, played by Bjarne Mädel. He is a specialist in cleaning up crime scenes after homicides, suicides, or accidents. In season 1, episode 1, titled Not on My Sofa (English subtitled), we see Schotty being called to clean up the aftermath of a man who has committed suicide on a sofa.

The episode starts with a shot of the empty apartment, where we see a man's leg hanging out of the sofa, while his head is hidden behind a newspaper. The sound of the ambulance and the police siren can be heard in the background. The man's wife is in shock and tells the police officers that she had gone out to buy groceries and had returned to this grisly sight. She is completely unaware of what might have driven her husband to end his own life.

As Schotty enters the apartment, he exchanges pleasantries with the police officers and introduces himself to the man's wife. Schotty comes across as an affable and friendly guy, who is sensitive to the emotions of those who have been affected by the tragedy. He tells the wife that she should leave the apartment and come back later, after the cleanup is done.

Once she has left, Schotty takes out his cleaning supplies from his toolbox and starts cleaning up the sofa. He does this with a calm and methodical approach, which is in contrast to the chaos that usually accompanies such a crime scene. Schotty takes his job seriously, and his attention to detail is impressive. He makes sure that every little bit of blood, tissue, and bodily fluids is removed from the sofa.

As Schotty works, we see flashbacks of the man's life. We see his daily routine, his work, and his conversations with his wife, which give a glimpse into his psyche. These flashbacks are interspersed with scenes of Schotty at work, which makes for a powerful contrast. The episode effectively captures the vulnerability of human life and the importance of taking care of every aspect of it, right down to the aftermath of a tragedy.

The episode ends with Schotty finishing up his work. As he steps out of the elevator, he sees the man's wife waiting for him. She thanks him for his work and tells him that she is relieved that the apartment is clean. Schotty comforts her and offers her a shoulder to cry on. He tells her that he knows that nothing can bring back her husband, but at least now, she can start afresh. The empathy and compassion shown by Schotty in this episode are heartwarming, and the overall feel of the episode is one of hope and healing.

In conclusion, Crime Scene Cleaner season 1, episode 1 is a powerful and emotive episode, which sets the tone for the rest of the series. The character of Schotty is portrayed as someone who takes pride in his work and has a deep sense of compassion for those who have been affected by a crime. The episode is effective in its portrayal of the aftermath of a tragedy, and the value of cleaning up crime scenes with care and sensitivity. Overall, it is a must-watch for anyone who is interested in crime dramas and the human psyche.