Episode 3 of The Tattooist of Auschwitz resumes amidst the grueling camps. Lali stealthily escorts an inmate, presumably Gita, from the barracks, whispering assurances of better days amidst their groans of discomfort. The camera zooms in on a young Jewish prisoner, Leon, before flashing back to the present.
In the present, Gita's friends, Ivana and Hanna among them, clandestinely conceal her in the clothing warehouse, her infected wound a dire reminder of her plight. Meanwhile, Lali hunkers down in his room, retrieving hidden contraband - gold and jewelry amassed from Gita - and stuffing it into his bunk. Suddenly, Baretzki appears, noting Lali's tardiness. He remains tight-lipped about Gita's fate, revealing only that Papen has vanished, leaving a void in the tattooist's chair.
Lali emerges and spots a beleaguered youth, beaten and bruised, and offers him an escape. The boy, however, remains guarded, puzzled by Lali's benevolence. They're ushered to the processing plant, where a jarring symphony of laughter and upbeat music masks the horror of incoming inmates. It's a twisted symphony, the cheery melodies mocking the misery unfolding before their eyes.
Lali risks ire by calling out to Baretzki about Gita, a dangerous gambit. Baretzki, keen to maintain the facade, lashes out, throwing a chair at Lali's head. Standing beside him is Leon, a musician whose presence Lali seizes as an opportunity to confirm his identity.
Leon's revelation as a gay man echoes the earlier scene of two men embracing on Melbourne's beach, a poignant reminder of the progress we've made in LGBTQ+ rights. This subtle nod to inclusivity is a powerful addition, underscoring the episode's deeper themes.
After finishing his shift, Lali crept cautiously into the women's camp, determined to find Gita. Through bribery, he persuaded her superior to disclose her whereabouts. It was a heart-wrenching sight when he finally saw her, taken out of the warehouse and languishing in her bunk, far from being in good health.
The barracks had been overrun by an influx of families - gypsies, to be precise - and Lali could feel his humanity slipping away with each passing moment. He caught a pair of children rummaging through his floorboards and sternly reprimanded them. Relief washed over him when he discovered the contraband hidden safely inside his bunk, exactly where he had left it.
The morning dawned with Leon enduring a brutal beating from the Nazi officer overseeing him. Yet, Lali watched in amazement as Leon stood unafraid, his face a mask of determination even as blood trickled from his mouth. Despite the severe punishment, he refused to break and continued to fight.
Leon and Lali were assigned the grueling task of visiting the "hospital," where they were required to tattoo the new inmates. The screams echoed through the halls, but Leon attempted to soothe their fears with a humming tune as he worked. An SS officer emerged from one of the rooms, his face a chilling mask of disdain. Fortunately, he did not take any further action. This small act of kindness seemed to comfort the inmates, and Lali seized the opportunity to gather supplies for Gita.
With the medicine in hand, he hastened to the women's camp and threw the vial over to one of Gita's fellow inmates. It seemed to bring her some relief, but the truth of how Lali obtained the medicine was far more horrific than he had dared to reveal to Heather. She promised to listen to his tale and offered a reassuring touch on his shoulder.
It transpired that the nurse had initially refused to assist, but Lali had appealed to the SS officer - the one who had earlier stared daggers at Leon. He had demanded the medicine outright, and in exchange, he was forced to perform a favor for the doctor. Specifically, he was tasked with taking the women out into the yard, where they were left exposed and vulnerable, naked under the unforgiving sky. The fences had been deactivated, and as they huddled together, shivering in the cold, he was handed the precious medicine. These women? They were to be "disposed of" in the morning, the doctor's chilling words echoed in his mind.
Later, Baretzki confronted Lali in private, revealing that he was aware of the contraband and Lali's desperate attempts to survive. He wanted in on the action, demanding cigarettes and other supplies. Lali attempted to negotiate, but was swiftly slapped across the face for his efforts. He was warned that if he didn't cooperate, something unthinkable could happen to Gita.
