The episode opens in Austria in 1945. Lali Sokolov (Jonah Hauer King) wakes and finds himself locked in a room. He retrieves a glass of milk from a tray, smells the liquid, and drinks.

Poland January 1945 – Gita Furmanova (Anna Prochniak) and Hanna (Tallulah Haddon) reach the edge of the woods where a village stands in the distance.

Austria – Lali tells Kristel (Amelie Hennig) that the Russian army is holding him hostage. He says the Russians are throwing a party and need many women to attend. Showing her a pouch with jewels and cash, he asks how many she can round up. She asks if married women can attend. He says it shouldn’t matter. She agrees to bring five women to the party before leaving. Lali informs Captain Petrov (Andrei Nova) that Kristel will bring five women and herself. After inspecting the pouch to see if the valuables are still there, Petrov pats Lali’s arm before walking away.

Poland – Over lunch, Gita tells Bella (Maja Wolska) that Ivana (Mili Eshet) died in her sleep. Gita gets sick. Beth (Ewelina Zak) urges her to eat slowly. While Bella is gone to retrieve Gita and Hanna some clothes, Beth warns of what will happen if the Russians find them there. She agrees to let them hide in the attic. Hanna tells her that they only want to go home.

Austria – Lali tells Kristel that he is not permitted to attend the party. She claims to need the jewels and cash to feed her mother and two siblings. As she fancies Petrov, Commander Volkov (Alexander Terentyev) movies for Lali to follow him.

In the present, Lali Sokolov (Harvey Keitel) claims to have been locked in his room several nights while they partied. Heather Morris (Melanie Lynskey) coaxes him to tell her what happened.

Austria – Lali sees Kristel lying in bed, looking at the ceiling. A Russian soldier pulls down his pants and starts to climb in the bed with her. One day Petrov leaves to do an errand. Lali gives Kristel the pouch of valuables for her bike. Removing some of the items, she returns it to him before he leaves.

Poland – Hanna is being sexually assaulted by a soldier. Retrieving a stick, Gita hits him. The soldier rolls over on his side. Frantic, Hanna and Gita beat him with sticks.

Slovakia – Lali recalls saying goodbye to Sarah (Delia Mayer) and Goldie (Katie Bernstein) before boarding a train. The station is desolate. He returns to his parent’s home to find Goldie alone. She tells him that the soldiers came several days after his departure. Mrs. Molnar hid her to keep the soldiers from taking her. When she returned home, their parents were gone. She holds him while he cries. He tells her about Gita. He is reluctant to leave her alone but she urges him to go to Bratislava. She gives him Sarah’s ring for Gita.

Upon arriving at Bratislava, Lali finds Mr. Pavlic’s shop sealed. He puts a note for Gita on the community bulletin board. Later, Gita and Hanna arrive in Bratislava. Gita breaks down crying when she sees Mr. Pavlic’s shop closed. Hanna assures her that it is not proof Lali is dead. Finding nothing on the community bulletin board, Gita goes outside to sit on the steps when she sees Lali. He races over to embrace her. Hanna emerges from the building and sees them. Goldie and Hanna attend Lali and Gita’s wedding.

Officer Woods (Charles Doherty) visits Lali and Gita’s flat looking for Ludwig Eisenberg. Lali shows them legal documents of their name change and Australian citizenship. Woods informs him that SS Officer Stefan Baretzki (Jonas Nay) is on trial for war crimes and asks for Lali’s help.

In the present, Heather delivers the second transcript for his novel. Lali says it was difficult for him and Gita after they were married. Gita was depressed and had nightmares. He opens the bedroom door and envisions Gita lying in the fetal position crying. Pregnant, Hanna suggests Gita hates her. Gita assures her that she is happy for her.

In the past, Gita says Baretzki is a monster. Lali asks if he remembers what he did for them. Irate, she asks if he would tell the world that Baretzki is a good guy. He asks why she is so angry and promises to do anything for her.

While Gita is in Europe, Lali types up his statement. He envisions Baretzki in the room with him and recalls him saying he was like a brother to him.

In the present, Lali tells Heather that he delivered his statement to the German Embassy and no one contacted him again. Baretzki can be seen in the background preparing to hang himself. He claims to have told officials that Baretzki killed many prisoners. Baretzki was sentenced to prison and later committed suicide. Lali believes Baretzki helped keep him alive.

In the past, Gita returns from Europe in a good mood. She tells Lali that she is pregnant. Elated, he embraces and kisses her.

In the present, Lali invites Heather to go with him to Birkenau. He claims their son knows nothing about what happened in the camp. She accepts his offer. Upon returning home, Lali envisions Gita holding their son on the bed. He lays down and never wakes back up. Lali died on October 31, 2006. Heather visited Birkenau.

 

The Tattooist Of Auschwitz Review

Lali and Gita meet in Bratislava where they are married. They later change their names and become Australian citizens. Gita was plagued with nightmares and struggles for many years to get pregnant. Nearly too ill to board a plane to Europe, she visits her doctor to learn she is pregnant. Lali is elated.

Baretzki is put on trial for war crimes. He reaches out to Lali through his attorney. Gita was none too thrilled with Lali’s decision to write a statement for Baretzki. Attributing Baretzki to his being alive, Lali tells German officials that he killed many prisoners, sometimes because he was in a bad mood. Baretzki was found guilty and later committed suicide.

Lali died before he could revisit Birkenau. The episode deserves a 5.8 out of 10. Get more The Tattooist of Auschwitz recaps here. Support Reel Mockery by donating. Learn how advertising with Reel Mockery can help build brand awareness. Join our newly established forum to discuss the latest TV shows, movies, and celebrity happenings.