Summary
Episode 4 splits the characters up, allowing the writers to display the problems even more — the issues stick out like a sore thumb.
This recap of Amazon’s We Children from Bahnhof Zoo season 1, episode 4, “Letters”, contains spoilers.
The unfortunate truth about addicts is that they cling to each other for support — it’s survival. We’ve seen plenty of narratives where addicted couples cannot get out of their hole — it’s a vicious cycle.
After that hectic David Bowie concert, episode 4 begins with Christiane waking up in the middle of the night to see her mother in bed with another man. Meanwhile, Stella returns to her mother’s pub, and as her mother tries to stop her from leaving, Stella slaps her. In response to learning that Paul raped her daughter, Nati kicks Paul out of the pub.
It feels like this story gets more aggressive as it progresses.
SOUND is raided
And the chaos seems to be intrinsically linked to the drugs — the more the characters take, the more their lives are fractured.
The next day, Karin asks Christiane what time she came home, but she doesn’t care about her mother’s discipline. Later in the day, she heads to the club SOUND. She tells Axel that there was an earthquake in the middle of the night. She then asks Benno and the girl she’s with about the earthquake, but no one knows what she’s on about. The police raid the club, so Benno and Christiane head to the bathroom to hide their stash.
Benno and Christiane kiss
The police check each person’s mouth, so after Christiane is checked, Benno passionately kisses her to transfer the stash with his mouth. Axel and Michi look on as the two people they love kiss each other. Christiane walks out smiling with Benno. Later on, the pair sniff drugs together. The next day, Benno is sweating profusely, and Michi tells him he needs a shot badly and helps him out.
Stealing for drugs
And the addiction is causing betrayals within families.
Benno steals from his uncle so he and Christiane can buy more drugs. They bring a sentimental item to Axel’s work — it’s a medal — the uncle was a war hero — they show it to the master locksmith. Now they have money, the pair take more drugs together. Benno injects it while Christiane sniffs it. Christiane asks Benno if he’s ever slept with a girl and asks if he wants her. The pair sleep together.
Losing friends
And the pattern continues as they both start to lose their inner circle.
Stella tells Christiane that she’s sick of SOUND and the drugs and that she wants her to leave her alone for a while. Benno and Christiane are losing their social circle very quickly. Later on, Benno tries to have sex with Christiane, but she’s upset — she doesn’t want to leave Berlin for summer.
Letters
Christiane heads to her grandmother’s for a break in a peaceful and idyllic town. It’s a completely different world from what she’s used to. Christiane enjoys nature and makes friends with a group of other teens. At night she writes a letter for Benno. Meanwhile, Axel writes a letter for her in invisible ink, declaring his love for her. Christiane tells her grandmother that she hasn’t received a letter from Benno yet.
When she receives a letter, it’s blank — she doesn’t realise the ink is invisible. As the audience, it’s frustrating to see Axel take a complicated approach to declare his feelings.
Looking for Dijan
We Children from Bahnhof Zoo season 1, episode 4 continues to sell this very evil world…
At SOUND, Johnny brings Babsi back to his, and he gives her drugs. When she takes it, he tells her to calm down and leave some for him. Her high is overwhelming, and she collapses on the bed. Johnny rapes her, and she seems completely unaware as she fantasizes about Dijan.
Christiane collapses
As Christiane eats with her family, she collapses. She ends up in the hospital. Robert rings her. He tells her about Thailand and how great it is. In the hospital, she writes a letter for Benno and discusses the nature of the place. She eventually receives another letter, but it’s Babsi — scenes show Babsi doing a photoshoot with Günther. He has a new guest, further highlighting how strange the man is.
Nati is drinking again
Stella learns that her mother is drinking again and that Paul is allowed back into the pub. Her mother explains it was all a misunderstanding. She heads to Günther’s house, and he promises they’ll do better this time. Stella learns that Babsi is also living with them as well.
Christiane is furious at Benno
Christiane returns to Berlin, and she’s furious at Benno for not writing. She finds him with other drug addicts. She tells him she’s disgusted that she’s found him with “junkies and gays”. Later on, Christiane finds Stella at SOUND, and they make up with each other. She hears that Benno is at Frank’s, so she heads out.
The ending
Axel asks Christiane about the letter he sent, but she said the pages were blank. He explains the ink was eligible for a week, but she calls him a dork and leaves the club — when Christiane enters Frank’s, she sees Benno having sex with a man. She learns he’s earning money here for sex. Benno tells her to get lost, and emotions are incredibly high.
We Children from Bahnhof Zoo season 1, episode 4 splits the characters up, allowing the writers to display the problems even more — the issues stick out like a sore thumb.
