Ep 6. Tjello

As Deutschland 86 season 1 episode 6, titled "Tjello," begins, Martin Rauch is going through an existential crisis. He is troubled by the fact that he is a spy who has been working against his own country. This realization hits him hard in this episode as Martin begins to question his loyalties and the consequences of his actions. Meanwhile, the East German intelligence agency will stop at nothing to advance their plans, even if it means sacrificing their own agents.

Martin is sent to Cape Town, South Africa to procure a rare mineral used in nuclear technology. However, he finds himself in an unexpected situation when he's kidnapped and held hostage by a group of radical activists. As Martin negotiates with his captors, he discovers that the group is not as unified as they seem and that their mission might not be as noble as he initially thought.

Throughout the episode, Martin's captors challenge him to think about his motivations and the larger picture of his work as a spy. He also has a chance encounter with an old acquaintance who is now married with a child and seemingly living a good life. This encounter pushes Martin to re-evaluate his own life and the choices he has made.

Back in East Germany, Walter is struggling to keep his counterintelligence mission under wraps. His superiors are growing impatient with his lack of progress and are pressuring him to come up with results quickly. Walter is also wrestling with his declining health and the prospect of leaving his family behind.

Meanwhile, the Stasi has had enough of their rogue agent, Lenora. Her actions have caused too much chaos and it's time for her to be brought back into the fold. But Lenora is not one to give up her freedom easily and is determined to stay alive and stay ahead of her pursuers.

"Tjello" is a gripping episode that delves into the character development of Martin and Walter, as well as the larger themes of loyalty, sacrifice, and the cost of war. The episode's setting in South Africa, with its stark inequalities and political turmoil, adds to the sense of danger and uncertainty that permeates the show. As the season nears its end, the stakes are high and the tension is palpable, making "Tjello" a must-watch for fans of the series.