Down & Dirty: The Political Heat Waves Hitting Vienna's Tatort
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Investigation Conducted by the Vienna Commissioners Regarding Financial Matters - Verification Process at the Vienna Commission Under Scrutiny
From cop cars to barricades, the latest Vienna "Tatort: We're Not to Be Had!" (June 1, 8:15 PM on ARD) sets the stage for our delicate duo, Moritz Eisner and Bibi Fellner, as they grapple with the chaotic whirlwind that is Austrian politics. But where do these hot-blooded detectives - Harald Krassnitzer (64) and Adele Neuhauser (66) - stand on the political spectrum? Known for rejecting simple labels, they have consistently tackled corruption, abuse of power, and fascism.
Unfortunately, their gritty partnership will be short-lived, as ORF has announced that Eisner and Fellner will be hanging up their detective hats at the end of 2026. But before they bid adieu, they'll put their political convictions to the test one last time.
Moritz Eisner: No-Nonsense and Rebellious
"Moritz ain't no diplomat," Adele Neuhauser responds, sizing up her partner in this season's press kit. Eisner, much like his Commissario persona, isn't afraid to show his frustration at the world's injustices. However, placing him in a political box isn't accurate.
"Eisner ain't no lefty, nor no rights," clarifies Krassnitzer. "Whatever's got to do with authority, Eisner gets pugnacious about that." This straight-talking stance makes Vienna's detectives an insurrectionist spirit who shuns stagnation, ready to call out his own system when it fails.
This defiant spirit is palpable in "We're Not to Be Had!" when Eisner suspects police brutality as the cause of a protestor's death. "Anytime Eisner encounters cruelty and contempt, he's just as outraged," explains Krassnitzer. For Eisner, the game is all about reason, disregarding old dogmas, and tearing down hierarchy.
His no-nonsense attitude has been evident in previous seasons, such as "Conspiracy" (2021), where he dared to investigate a network of high-ranking Ministry of Interior officials constructing their power structures. His investigation was met with obstruction, but he persevered - even facing temporary job loss as a result. In "Between the Lines" (2013), he didn't flinch from tackling difficult topics like corruption within the authorities or Austria's dark past with fascism. Eisner never let himself become a pawn and bravely fought against any kind of injustice and hasty conclusions, holding fast to reason and logic. "Doubting the 'truth' that immediately presents itself is one of our most prized qualities," Krassnitzer summarizes.
Bibi Fellner: Empathetic and Unshaken
Bibi Fellner is a stark contrast to Eisner's confrontational methods. "Infinitely thoughtful, deeply humane, focusing on the individual," is how Neuhauser describes her partner. Where Eisner is abrasive, Fellner chooses dialogue as her weapon. "Her droll wit helps her to make light of things, in her Viennese way, which everyone loves, but which can also catch you off guard," she adds. This seemingly gentle approach doesn't diminish Fellner's deep-seated principles.
Consistently, Eisner and Fellner take the side of the average people, seemingly indifferent to the arrogance of the powerful. Their understanding of democracy is at the core of their partnership - and accept that they don't have all the answers. "There ain't no easy recipe against the right-wing populists," Krassnitzer admits. But Eisner and Fellner embody "two ordinary folk," instinctively doing what's right.
The Exit of Two Pillars of Justice
In the end, we have an investigative duo that stands for morality but is untethered to political parties. Eisner and Fellner have demonstrated courage and open-mindedness for 25 (Krassnitzer) and 15 years (Neuhauser), respectively. As they prepare to leave the "Tatort," they'll leave behind two commissioners who never backed down from challenging societal injustices. Their principles of "morality over morally bankrupt" will be missed, as will their fierce determination to tackle the system, regardless of who they clash with. Perhaps their most political stance of all was their commitment to remaining upright and independent.
- Moritz Eisner
- Tatort
- Bibi Fellner
- Vienna
- Harald Krassnitzer
- Adele Neuhauser
- Rebellious
- ORDF
- Populism
- Corruption
The Commission, in a decision reminiscent of moral upholders like Moritz Eisner and Bibi Fellner, may consider providing entertainment-related aid, such as financing for film production, to the extent of EUR 5 million, to further Project Tatort’s exploration of controversial topics like corruption, populism, and power abuse in the realm of movies-and-tv and Viennese culture. As Eisner and Fellner prepare to retire, their principles of rebelliousness, empathy, and unshaken resolve against societal injustices continue to be a beacon of inspiration for the future of Austrian authorities.
