Ep 1. Wataha - EP 101 (Episode 1 of 6)

Wataha is a crime drama series based on the story of a border guard unit stationed in the Bieszczady Mountains, a remote area of southern Poland. The first episode of Wataha, EP 101, is the beginning of a six-episode series that introduces a complex cast of characters and their intense, dangerous work.

The opening scene shows our protagonist, Captain Wiktor Rebrow (Leszek Lichota), anxiously leading his team through a high-risk mission deep in the woods. They are on the lookout for traffickers and criminals who frequently cross the Polish-Ukrainian border, smuggling drugs and people. We quickly come to understand that even those charged with maintaining the law can put their own lives in danger. What follows is a brief action sequence with intense shots of gun-wielding border patrol agents chasing down an alleged smuggler – highlighting the dangerous environment these characters find themselves in each day.

Returning to base, we witness the camaraderie between the border guards. We see them relaxing after a long day spent in the field and revealing glimpses of their personalities. Among them is Rebrow’s on-again, off-again lover, prosecutor Iga Dobosz (Aleksandra Popławska); new recruit Tomasz Kepski (Bartłomiej Topa) and his by-the-books approach; and cynical but good-natured Aleksander Jaworski (Andrzej Zieliński).

After the team’s successful mission, they are all quickly called back to duty when the discovery of a murdered border patrol agent is made. The victim, Olgierd Błoński, had been working undercover to uncover drug traffickers and locate a stash of drugs before he was killed. The investigation falls under the jurisdiction of the prosecutor, Dobosz, which makes for an uneasy dynamic between her and the captain. The team is filled with grief at the news and sets out secret vigilante-style operations in the hopes of finding the killer or killers.

As the episode progresses, we see a twisted web of crime and intrigue unraveling. Promising young footballer Maciej Pawlicki (Tymoteusz Wroński) is arrested and revealed to be one of the individuals Olgierd had gone undercover to expose. In a powerful scene, Maciej’s father becomes enraged at the revelation and confronts Rebrow and his team. Amidst all of this, the team suffers a devastating blow when one of their own is captured and tortured.

The Wataha team becomes increasingly mired in danger and uncertainty. Worried that this murder case could tear the unit apart, Captain Rebrow decides to investigate the case himself, against Dobosz’s orders. What follows is a gripping series of discoveries that is likely to leave viewers on the edge of their seats.

The episode ends with a surprising discovery, setting the stage for what is sure to be a harrowing story of complex human relationships layered onto a thrilling mystery. Overall, the first episode of Wataha is a thoroughly engaging and enthralling introduction to a series that promises to captivate viewers with its characters, twisting plotlines, and high stakes.