The inaugural episode of "Murder Mindfully" introduces us to Björn Diemel, a man who claims to have been devoid of violent tendencies until the dawn of his 42nd year. His narrative shifts dramatically as he recounts how his life took a detour after embracing mindfulness as a means to reconcile his work and personal life—a transformation that occurred just three months prior.
Rewinding to that pivotal three-month mark, we witness Diemel orchestrating a mild reprimand for his client, Murat, who attempted to pull off a jewel heist. However, the shades of Diemel's true employment come to light—he is indentured to Dragan, a mafia boss whose turbulent reign has been nothing short of a nightmare for Diemel, far removed from the glamourized depictions of Bridgerton.
Dragan's erratic behavior keeps Diemel perpetually occupied in cleaning up his mess and managing illegal enterprises, turning Diemel into a troubled soul. His wife, weary of his absences during their daughter's crucial moments, urges him to change for their daughter's sake. She recommends he attend a mindfulness program led by Joschka Breitner.
Diemel, acutely aware of his fractured existence, finds his marriage crumbling and his job at a firm that undervalues his efforts increasingly intolerable. Even the firm's secretary, cognizant of his insignificant standing, finds delight in reminding him of his reality. With his back against the wall and his family's future hanging in the balance, Diemel decides to give the mindfulness program a shot, driven solely by his desire to better himself for his child.
Despite arriving twenty minutes late for his scheduled meeting with Breitner, Diemel initially harbors doubts about his decision. However, Breitner's calming demeanor and insightful guidance quickly ease his reservations. During their first session, they delve into the stressors plaguing Diemel's life. Breitner elucidates the essence and importance of mindful living, resonating deeply with Diemel who has lived a life in constant motion, never pausing to reflect.
Under Breitner's tutorship, Diemel learns to harness his breathing to quell his anxieties and allocate time for introspection. By the session's end, Diemel emerges feeling rejuvenated and optimistic about steering his life back on course. Over the subsequent weeks, he prioritizes quality time with his daughter, Emily, steadfastly ignoring work calls during their precious moments. His commitment to self-improvement leads him to move out of his home, a change that brings a smile to his wife, Kathrina's face.
More than anything else, her heart yearned for the return of the man she had fallen deeply in love with. At work, Diemel took frequent breaks, steadfastly refusing to let the myriad work issues overshadow his life too profoundly. In the blink of an eye, he accomplished the initial phase of his mindfulness endeavor. Breitner, with a warm welcome, invited him to peruse the advance copy of his book and generously presented it to him.
Later that weekend, Diemel made a casual stop by his house to fetch his daughter. Emily's eyes sparkled with exhilaration as she anticipated spending the weekend with her dad at the serene lake house. Kathrina, though apprehensive, relented and allowed Diemel to take their daughter along. She handed him a meticulous list of instructions and watched them depart, making it abundantly clear that Diemel must not expose their daughter to his work, particularly the dark realm of the mafia.
Unfortunately, fate had other plans. Dragan's call interrupted the father-daughter duo's journey to the lake house. The lake house, owned by Dragan, was their intended destination, and Diemel hesitantly answered the phone, fearing that Dragan might have reconsidered lending them the house for the weekend. To his surprise, Dragan's concerns revolved around a pressing crisis that necessitated Diemel's immediate return to the office.
Upon returning to the office, Diemel finds himself entangled in another heated exchange with Ms. Bregenz, the secretary. This time, he lets his guard down and unleashes a torrent of his true feelings upon her. Without further ado, he entrusts his daughter to the care of one of the trainees and proceeds to take the elevator down to the clandestine basement of the building. There, he encounters Dragan and one of his henchmen.
It transpires that Dragan, in broad daylight and under the scrutinizing gaze of fifty students who captured the event on video, committed a murder. Dragan alleges that a tip from someone named Toni led him to believe that Boris, the head of a rival gang, was encroaching on his territory. As anticipated, Dragan ventured out to verify the rumor and stumbled upon Igor, Boris's trusted lieutenant, engaged in conversation with a drug courier. Somehow, the situation spiraled out of control, culminating in Igor's gruesome demise—burned and beaten beyond recognition. Regrettably, Dragan realized too belatedly that Igor's intentions were benign; he was merely procuring a grenade, not seizing control of his turf.
Confronted with incriminating evidence, no attorney could possibly shield Dragan from the clutches of justice. Diemel urges him to surrender and avoid Boris's wrath, but Dragan remains steadfast in his refusal. Instead, he opts for flight and insists that Diemel escort him to the lake house, using his daughter as a shield. Diemel attempts to decline, but Dragan's threats leave him with little choice. He agrees to meet in the parking lot, employing the lessons imparted by Breiner to maintain composure and navigate the perilous waters ahead.
