Branch (Expozitura)

Branch (Expozitura)

Country	Czech Republic
Language	Czech
Channel	Nova
Creator	TV Nova
Genre	Crime
Broadcast	2009
No. of Seasons	1
No. of Episodes	16

Main Cast
Character	Actor

Tereza Hodačová	Hana Vagnerová
Dan Chládek	Robert Jasków
Ota Kovčín	Jan Dolanský
Vladimír Orava	Pavel Zednícek
Drobeček	Martin Sitta
Anna Hajnová	Zuzana Bydzovská
Jaroslav Brousil	Jan Novotný
Arnold Mráz	David Prachar
Viktor Skutek	Jan Kanyza
Zuzana Chládková	Sabina Králová

Branch aka (Expozitura) is a 2009 Czech TV crime series based on true events. The various episodes were filmed at the real locations of the crimes of the infamous Berdych gang, which was operational between 1996 and 2004. The real life Berdych gang specialized in robberies, assaults, extortion and murder, usually with impunity, due to their connections with corrupt local police. Many times the gang itself impersonated police and SWAT units in order to perpetrate their crimes.

In some episodes, the show dealt with specific cases, but the overall arc of the show focused on incorruptible police detective Tereza Hodačová (Hana Vagnerová), who is newly assigned to the “Unit for Combating Organized Crime (OBOZ) and her partner Captain Dan Chládek (Robert Jasków). These two characters apparently represent the real life police majors, Helen Kahn and Thomas Gregor. The two protagonists find opposition not only from their underworld opponents like Mob boss Arnold Mráz (David Prachar) or gangster Drobeček (Martin Sitta), but also their own own corrupt police colleagues Vladimír Orava (Pavel Zednícek) and Ota Kovčín (Jan Dolanský).

The protagonists efforts create a lot of unease not only amongst the Gang and other underworld characters, but amongst the corrupt leaders within their own government and law enforcement units. The real life police heroes took down the Berdych gang in 2004 and their trial in 2006 netted the group varied sentences from 8 to 17 years in prison.

The following weapons can be seen in the TV series Branch:

Glock 17

Glock 17 is the service weapon of Czech Police in the series.

3rd Generation Glock 17 - 9x19mm. Note the finger grooves, thumb reliefs, and accessory rail on the frame, which differentiate it from the older model.

File:Hana Vagnerová-Expozitura.jpg

Tereza Hodačová (Hana Vagnerová) fires her Glock 17 at the hitman.

Dan Chládek (Robert Jasków) aims his Glock 17 pistol.

File:Pavel Zednícek-Glock17.jpg

Vladimír Orava (Pavel Zednícek) holds a pistol in his hand.

Drobeček (Martin Sitta) seized of a Tereza´s service gun.

Erik (Jakub Gottwald) tries to shot mob boss Hemský (Michal Dlouhý) (left) in 12th episode.

The police officer holding his Glock 17 pistol in 3rd episode.

Beretta 92FS

Beretta 92FS - 9x19mm

File:Jan Dolanský-Beretta92.jpg

Ota Kovčín (Jan Dolanský) firing her Beretta 92FS.

A Gangster held at gunpoint by Captain Dan.

"Pre-B" Cz 75

CZ 75 "Pre-B" Model - 9x19mm

The robber called "Indian" (Milan Horvát) pointing a "Pre-B" CZ 75 at kpt. Chládek in the 6th episode.

File:Michal Slaný-CZ75preB.jpg

Luboš (Michal Slaný), an attorney and Tereza's ex-boyfriend, carries a gun in the 15th episode.

CZ 75 Compact

A CZ 75 Compact is used by a lawyer (Alice Snyrichová) in the third episode.

CZ 75 Compact - 9x19mm

File:Alice Snyrichová-CZ75BD.jpg

CZ 83

CZ 83 .32 ACP

File:Jirí Korn-CZ-83.jpg

The killer (Jirí Korn) in the 5th episode uses the CZ 83 pistol.

The laboratory technician examines a gun, which was executed by smuggler of cigars in the 12th episode. Found a fingerprints of kpt. Kovčín.

CZ 100

CZ 100 pistol - 9x19mm

The hitman Pavel Tapák (Radek Zák) uses a pistol CZ 100 in 8th episode.

File:Radek Zák-Expozitura.jpg

On the escape he took as hostage Chládek´s wife Zuzana (Sabina Králová).

SIG-Sauer P226

A factory black (K-Kote) SIG-Sauer P226 pistol chambered in 9x19mm.

Russian hitman in 11th episode used a SIG-Sauer P226 pistol.

Taurus Model 689

Taurus Model 689 Stainless Steel 357 Magnum Revolver.

Boss Arnold Mráz (David Prachar) has to commit "suicide" by his Taurus Model 689 revolver.

Unidentified revolver

In the 6th episode plk. Viktor Skutek (Jan Kanyza) committed suicide by gunshot from a unidentified revolver.

File:Jan Dolanský-revolver.jpg

Ota Kovčín (Jan Dolanský) fired on kpt. Chládek with his reserve hidden revolver in the 16th, final episode.

Bullet In The Pen

A prisoner in 11th episode has shoot at Dan Chládek by the pen with a built-in mechanism with a single bullet.

Heckler & Koch MP5

The special police unit is equipped with Heckler & Koch MP5 submachine guns. For the purposes of filming was replaced a MP5 SD6 Spring Airsoft Rifle Gun.