6. Köln - Bitter Almonds

6

. 5 March 2000. 90 min

The body of wealthy real estate magnate Gerd Wesibach is found, his pores emanating a familiar odor: bitter almonds. At first his death is thought to be an assisted suicide, but it is soon discovered that he was poisoned. Ballauf and Schenk have a long list of suspects, and soon uncover a dubious euthanasia ring. Directed by Kaspar Heidelbach, 2000.

16. Köln - Deadly Inheritance

6

. 16 July 2000. 90 min

A blackmailer has been threatening the Kölsch brewery in Cologne. Concerned with his company's reputation, Belcher Sr. decides to pay the ransom in person, and is soon shot dead. But when the blackmailer demands a higher ransom and poisons the beer, Ballauf and Schenk suspect they're dealing with a copycat offender. Directed by Markus Fischer, 2000.

18. Köln - Straight to the Heart

7

. 6 August 2000. 90 min

A man is shot dead in broad daylight in Cologne city center. The bullet was fired from 700 meters away and went straight to the heart. Chief Inspector Freddy Schenk believes he knows the murder weapon that can hit the target with pinpoint accuracy from such a great distance. The victim, Charly Hecker, was a successful businessman who apparently had never done anything wrong in life. During the interrogations of Hecker's young wife Franka, something happens to Inspector Ballauf that should not happen: He falls in love with the murdered man's widow and begins to meet her secretly.

27. Quartet in Leipzig

7.5

. 26 November 2000. 90 min

To mark the 30th anniversary of Tatort, there was to be a special anniversary crime thriller with this episode. The Cologne detectives Ballauf and Schenk investigate together with their East German colleagues Ehrlicher and Kain. The four have to solve two murders.

29. Köln - The Lady on the Train

6

. 17 December 2000. 90 min

On a family trip to Holland, Freddy finds himself suspected of drug smuggling and is forced to go on the run to clear his name. Directed by Martin Giesach, 2000.