Story Structure — 3 Plot Phases
The Reluctant Detective
Major Kottan is introduced as a complex police officer navigating bureaucracy and personal challenges while beginning his first case.
Key Events
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Kottan's Introduction — Kottan introduced as a major in Vienna police Characters: Major Adolf Kottan, Oberst Heribert Pilch, Frau Ilse Kottan
Location: Vienna Police Station
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First Case Assignment — Kottan receives his first investigation case Characters: Major Adolf Kottan, Oberst Heribert Pilch, Fritz Schreyvogel
Location: Police Station
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Team Formation — Kottan assembles his investigation team Characters: Major Adolf Kottan, Fritz Schreyvogel, Erwin Drballa, Alfred Schrammel
Location: Police Station
The Absurd Investigation
Kottan's team faces bureaucratic obstacles and personal conflicts while pursuing their case, highlighting the absurdities of police work.
Key Events
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First Investigation — Team begins first investigation on the streets Characters: Major Adolf Kottan, Fritz Schreyvogel, Erwin Drballa, Alfred Schrammel, Polizist
Location: Vienna Streets
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Bureaucratic Obstacles — Kottan faces bureaucratic challenges Characters: Major Adolf Kottan, Oberst Heribert Pilch, Paul Schremser
Location: Police Administration
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Family Conflict — Work-life balance issues at home Characters: Major Adolf Kottan, Frau Ilse Kottan, Mutter Kottan
Location: Kottan Home
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Mid-Case Revelation — Key discovery in the ongoing case Characters: Major Adolf Kottan, Fritz Schreyvogel, Erwin Drballa
Location: Investigation Site
The Resolution
The team overcomes internal conflicts and resolves their case, reflecting on the satirical nature of their profession.
Key Events
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Rivalry Escalation — Conflict with Schremser intensifies Characters: Major Adolf Kottan, Paul Schremser, Oberst Heribert Pilch
Location: Police Station
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Team Crisis — Team faces internal conflict Characters: Major Adolf Kottan, Fritz Schreyvogel, Erwin Drballa, Alfred Schrammel
Location: Police Station
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Case Resolution — Team successfully resolves the case Characters: Major Adolf Kottan, Fritz Schreyvogel, Erwin Drballa, Alfred Schrammel, Oberst Heribert Pilch
Location: Police Station
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Series Reflection — Final reflection on the series' themes Characters: Major Adolf Kottan, TV-Sprecherin
Location: Vienna Cityscape
Kottan ermittelt is an Austrian television series that was aired by Austrian television ORF between 1976 and 1984. The satirical 19-episode series about a policeman from Vienna now sports cult status. Police major Adolf Kottan was played by three actors who each gave the character a distinct 'flavor'.
