Campfire disarray on this week's "Family Bundshoe" broadcast

In the upcoming ninth episode of the popular ZDF comedy series, "The Bundschuhs," viewers will witness a critical moment in the lives of the Bundschuhs family. The episode, featuring Andrea Sawatzki and Axel Milberg as the bickering couple, Gerald and Gundula, will air on ZDF this Monday at 8:15 PM.

Gerald, played by Stephan Grossmann, has purchased a luxurious camper van for the family's camping trip, despite his dislike for the outdoors. His motive, however, seems to be more than just a family getaway. Rumours suggest that he may have booked the vacation to impress Manfred, his boss, who is about to retire, and Gerald wants to succeed him.

Gundula, portrayed by Judy Winter, is adamant about the camping trip being crucial for their marriage. She is not alone in her feelings, as Rose, a member of the Bundschuhs family and a trainee pastoral worker, feels unappreciated by Hadi, another family member. Hadi, still dreaming of becoming a bestselling author, seems to have other priorities.

The camping trip takes a turn when Gundula, upon seeing the rest of the family, becomes angry, and the situation worsens. This is not surprising, given Axel Milberg's recent ZDF interview where he described the Bundschuh marriage as tense and competitive, with love becoming just a memory. He sees their relationship as an outdated marriage construct in a historical transitional phase, where Gundula challenges the structure and Gerald tries to hold on to control.

Franziska Meyer-Price, the director of "The Bundschuhs," and Stefan Kuhlmann, the scriptwriter, have skillfully woven these complex dynamics into the series, drawing from Andrea Sawatzki's novel series. The success of "The Bundschuhs" can be attributed to its quirky, middle-class characters, situational comedy, witty dialogues, and excellent casting.

Interestingly, Gundula, a character in the series, took an online separation test and received a devastating result. Whether this will lead to a permanent separation or a temporary strain in the marriage remains to be seen. Andrea Sawatzki, the author of the novel series, suggests in the interview that if a marriage is so stuck that couples can barely stand each other, they should separate.

As the Bundschuhs face this transitional phase, it is unclear whether they will be able to overcome their challenges and find a way to reconnect. Tune in to the ninth episode of "The Bundschuhs" to follow the Bundschuhs family on their camping trip and witness the unfolding of this intriguing storyline.