Overview
- Viewers flooded social platforms with complaints about the episode’s depiction of characters with suicidal intent, describing the tone as inappropriate for a holiday broadcast.
- Mental‑health guidance referenced by commentators warned of the Werther effect, urging careful framing and early support information when such themes appear on screen.
- ZDF displayed a helpline only after the closing sequence, and outlets noted the absence of a pre‑broadcast trigger warning or substantive on‑screen support.
- The network and lead actor Florian Silbereisen defended the creative shift as an attempt to show life’s facets and to offer new perspectives with a hopeful message.
- Despite backlash, the broadcast drew about 5.07 million viewers and a 13.2% share among 14–49‑year‑olds, topping fiction in that demographic as ARD’s Tatort led overall reach.