Hans Sigl as Dr. Martin Gruber in eight new episodes; Hilde Dalik is part of the regular cast
Vienna (OTS) – A stroke of fate in the family ensures that Dr. Martin Gruber (Hans Sigl) does not get on the plane to New York, but as “Der Bergdoktor” in the 17th season with eight new episodes, he once again goes to work in his practice in the middle of the Tyrolean mountains. Dr. Gruber has a lot to do again: muteness, depression and inability to move are just some of the complaints of his patients. The financial situation surrounding “Gruber-Milch” is getting worse, and “Der Bergdoktor” also has to straighten out a lot in the family environment. Frédéric Brossier – possibly soon the man at Lilli’s side – and Hilde Dalik (“Suburban Women”, “Everything Finster”) as the new woman in Martin Gruber’s life are now part of the regular cast of the successful series. Also taking part again: Heiko Ruprecht, Ronja Forcher, Monika Baumgartner, Natalie O’Hara, Mark Keller, Andrea Gerhard, Rebecca Immanuel, Barbara Lanz and Wolfram Berger. The eight new episodes, which were again filmed in Elmau in Tyrol, were directed by Nikolai Müllerschön (episodes 1 and 2), Sascha Alexander Thiel (episodes 3 and 4), Florian Kern (episodes 5 and 6) and Ulrike Hamacher (episodes 7 and 8).
Between new happiness in love and financial pressure! This is how it continues:
After the big family breakdown and the collapse of mother Lisbeth (Monika Baumgartner), Martin (Hans Sigl) decides against returning to New York and opens the doors to his practice again. After some time, Lisbeth is on the mend again, but does not want to inform Martin and his brother Hans (Heiko Ruprechter) about her exact state of health. By caring for their mother together, Martin and Hans at least talk to each other again. Martin has a casual meeting with Karin Bachmeier (Hilde Dalik).
Lilli (Ronja Forcher) becomes increasingly involved in her grandfather Rolf Pflüger’s (Wolfram Berger) land trade. In the absence of Linn Kemper (Andrea Gerhard), Martin could use her as support in practice. Rolf is in financial difficulties with his business – this also has an impact on “Gruber-Milch” because he cannot buy shares. Everything depends on whether Rolf’s daughter Caro (Barbara Lanz) can finally convince her ex-husband Claus (Beat Marti) to pay out her divorce settlement. As if that wasn’t enough, Martin’s new flame Karin Bachmeier also becomes a bank director and has to cancel the Pflügers’ loan – unless they find a buyer for their land deal in time.
Meanwhile, Paul (Dominic Raacke) plans to propose to Susanne (Natalie O’Hara). Susanne’s daughter Sophia (Ylvi Unertl) gets wind of this and urges Paul to finally put the plan into action.
The broadcast dates of the 17th season at a glance:
The Bergdoktor – Looking Ahead (17/1)
Wednesday, January 3rd, 8:15 p.m., ORF 2
The Bergdoktor – Abysses (17/2)
Wednesday, January 10th, 8:15 p.m., ORF 2
The Mountain Doctor – Guilt (17/3)
Wednesday, January 17th, 8:15 p.m., ORF 2
The Bergdoktor – In the Shadows (17/4)
Wednesday, January 24th, 8:15 p.m., ORF 2
The mountain doctor – life paths (17/5)
Wednesday, January 31st, 8:15 p.m., ORF 2
The Bergdoktor – late consequences (17/6)
Wednesday, February 7th, 8:15 p.m., ORF 2
The Bergdoktor – acid test (17/7)
Wednesday, February 14th, 8:15 p.m., ORF 2
The Bergdoktor – Over the Shadow (17/8)
Wednesday, February 21st, 8:15 p.m., ORF 2
Details & content for the individual episodes:
Wednesday, January 3rd, 8:15 p.m., ORF 2: The Bergdoktor – Looking Ahead (17/1)
Director: Nikolai Müllerschön
Guest roles: Peter Kremer, Oona-Devi Liebich, Petra Michelle Nérette and others
Lisbeth’s (Monika Baumgartner) hospital stay seems to have something good: it forces the quarreling brothers Hans (Heiko Ruprechter) and Martin (Hans Sigl) to get closer to each other again. Martin postpones the move to New York and reopens his practice. The relationship with his brother improves, and Karin Bachmeier (Hilde Dalik) also clearly signals that she is happy that Martin is staying in Ellmau. Martin has a tough nut to crack professionally: On the way back from a home visit, he treats single mother Branka Neumann (Oona Devi Liebich), who had an accident with her moped. Martin insists on a hospital stay – but who will then look after Branka’s daughter Emmi (Lotta Herzog)?
Wednesday, January 10th, 8:15 p.m., ORF 2: The Bergdoktor – Abysses (17/2)
Director: Nikolai Müllerschön
Guest stars: Max Woelky, Maria Simon ua
While preparing for his wedding, Jan Seidl (Max Woelky) falls from a ladder. His bride (Maria Simon) brings him to Martin’s practice for clarification. Martin can rule out a concussion, but wants to clarify where Seidl’s regular dizzy spells come from. When he wants to request Seidl’s patient file, the young man confides a secret to him, citing medical confidentiality. As soon as she was released from the hospital, Lisbeth started helping out on the farm again. With an uneasy feeling, her sons let her have her way until Lisbeth decides to put the cards on the table.
Wednesday, January 17th, 8:15 p.m., ORF 2: The Bergdoktor – Guilt (17/3)
Director: Sascha Alexander Thiel
Guest roles: Tom Böttcher, Jonas Kaufmann and others
Dr. Martin Gruber does everything he can to help the brothers Vinzent (Tom Böttcher) and Lennart Neumüller (Jonas Kaufmann), whose father committed suicide. Because Vincent feels increasingly exhausted and drained. Basically, the brothers are a well-rehearsed team, but Vincent’s deteriorating condition threatens their life together. But it’s not just his patient that worries Martin Gruber, but also his mother Lisbeth. The tremor on her right hand has not yet improved. At the same time, the bank is increasing the pressure on the Pflügers: Lilli’s grandfather Rolf Pflüger (Wolfram Berger) is threatened with fraud charges if he is unable to buy the shares in “Gruber-Milk”. That’s why his daughter Caro (Barbara Lanz) has to convince her ex-husband Claus (Beat Marti) to finally pay her the divorce settlement. But when the two of them want to clarify the details over dinner, Claus comes with a surprising request.
Wednesday, January 24th, 8:15 p.m., ORF 2: The Bergdoktor – In the Shadow (17/4)
Director: Sascha Alexander Thiel
Guest roles: Katja Weitzenböck, Mira Elisa Goeres, Jonas Laux and others
The seamstress Jasmin Hübner (Mira Elisa Goeres) comes to Martin Gruber’s practice with itchy arms. Although the symptoms have been occurring for months and she has been examined, there is no diagnosis. Jasmin actually just wants to get out of Ellmau as quickly as possible and away from her mother Silke (Katja Weitzenböck). Silke attracts everyone’s attention, constantly makes decisions over her daughter’s head and has been in a relationship with her ex-boyfriend Patrick for a few months. While Martin searches for the cause of the mysterious symptoms, Silke’s condition worsens.
Because the Pfluegers are not making any progress with their financial problems surrounding the land trade and this would also have an impact on the “Gruber-Milch”, Lilli (Ronja Forcher) first makes a new suggestion to Martin: Karin Bachmeier could advise the families financially. However, their enthusiasm for the idea is initially limited because it actually draws a line between work and private life.
Wednesday, January 31st, 8:15 p.m., ORF 2: The Bergdoktor – Paths of Life (17/5)
Director: Florian Kern
Guest roles: Lilly Menke, Florian Maria Sumerauer, Laura Lippmann and others
When the gardener Dominik Antal (Florian Maria Sumerauer) wants to tell his wife that he has fallen in love with a customer, he gets acute stomach pains. Martin Gruber suspects more than just a stress reaction. Dominik Antal has been suffering from recurring lower abdominal pain and weight loss for a long time. Given his current emotional chaos, the cause seems to be obvious:
Stress. Because Dominik no longer feels noticed by his wife Lene (Laura Lippmann), who is now his boss, and has fallen in love with their mutual customer Rebecca Weidinger (Lilly Menke). Now he wants a divorce.
Wednesday, February 7th, 8:15 p.m., ORF 2: The Bergdoktor – Late Consequences (17/6)
Director: Florian Kern
Guest roles: Max von Pufendorf, Jördis Richter, Marco Bretscher-Coschignano and others
Actually, Simon Hofer (Max von Pufendorf) just wanted to have his arm treated, which he injured while jogging in the forest. But when he faints after the treatment, Martin Gruber has his blood tested to be on the safe side. The diagnosis is as shocking as it is surprising: Simon has hepatitis C. Martin is also in a personal dilemma: Karin wants to become the new director of the cooperative bank. If she gets the job, the fate of the agricultural trade and thus also of “Gruber-Milk” will be in her hands.
Wednesday, February 14th, 8:15 p.m., ORF 2: The Bergdoktor – Zerreißprobe (17/7)
Director: Ulrike Hamacher
Guest stars: Isabell Polak, Marcel Mohab, Zoé Höche ua
Kim Sattler (Isabell Polak) is involved in a tragic work accident at the forestry company she is supposed to take over. As Dr. When Gruber examines her injuries, he learns that she is having frequent cramps. There’s no reason to be happy in the Gruber house either: Karin has to cancel the Pfluegers’ loans – unless they find a buyer within a day.
Wednesday, February 21st, 8:15 p.m., ORF 2: The Bergdoktor – Above the Shadow (17/8)
Director: Ulrike Hamacher
Guest roles: Nicolas Wolf, Sarah Mahita, Hannes Schmid
Martin Gruber is worried about Karla Jenner (Sarah Mahita), who has elevated liver values after the birth of her twins and may be suffering from a postnatal coagulation disorder. She also keeps an explosive secret that will affect more than just her future life. Martin also has to worry about the future of his own family: There is one last – albeit unlikely – possibility how the Pflügers’ insolvency proceedings could be stopped: if Caro’s ex-husband Claus still pays the divorce settlement. When, as expected, he resists, Caro is forced to play her last ace against him – not knowing what she will do with it.