During a routine night-time traffic inspection in East Berlin in Summer 1980, police officer Martin Kupfer meets beautician Julia Hausmann. And before the questioning is over, Martin has fallen in love with Julia. Martin lives with his parents, separated from his ex-wife and his seven-year-old daughter. Julia is actually engaged to the German-American Robert Schnyder, who visits her almost daily,..

Robert Schnyder is taken into custody for aiding and abetting illegal emigration from the German Democratic Republic. Falk questions him. He intends to use every means possible to squeeze a confession from Robert that will implicate Julia. But Robert denies the young woman wanted to flee with him. Julia is also arrested, on her front doorstep as she arrives home later. Falk puts pressure on Julia..

Martin and Julia apply for a joint flat and strike lucky: the woman at the housing office turns a blind eye. She can offer them both a place. But one call from Hans is enough to have the flat taken away from them again. Following his collapse in the cell, Robert Schnyder is admitted to hospital in a hypoglaecemic coma. Falk has to reckon on receiving the consequences of his special interrogation m..

The search for the missing Lisa is in full swing. Hans and Marion give Falk the entire blame: his intrigues have caused the whole situation. When Martin discovers Lisa eating ice cream with a stranger, the man is arrested on the spot and charged with child abduction. Fortunately the doctors give the all-clear: he did not do anything to the girl. Marion apologises to Martin for her behaviour and as..

Dunja's life hangs by a thread following her suicide bid. Falk now has to account to his superiors for what happened: his father Hans, as well as Gaucke and the Minister's deputy, Korwitz. Against all expectations Falk is not rapped over the knuckles, but is charged with finding ways to cover up the incident. Hans, in his turn, is promoted to guest lecturer at the Stasi Academy in Potsdam-Eiche. J..

With Dunja on the mend, Falk pays her a visit accompanied by a lawyer. He threatens to have her declared incompetent following her suicide attempt if she does not cooperate with the Stasi. Dunja gives in and signs. As a reward, Gaucke dangles the prospect of promotion to Hans' position before Falk's eyes - as soon as Hans makes a mistake. Until then, he should solve "the Martin and Julia problem."..