
"Zmiennicy" is a grotesque comedy of absurdity and reality that masterfully blends slapstick, satire, and surrealism to expose the absurdities of life under communist rule in the People's Republic of Poland (PRL). The story follows Jacek Żytkiewicz, a taxi driver in Warsaw, and his mysterious new shift partner, Katarzyna Piórecka, who disguises herself as a man to get the job. The series is a comedy of the grotesque, filled with exaggerated characters, nonsensical bureaucracy, and surreal plot twists. It mocks the inefficiencies and contradictions of PRL institutions—from corrupt officials and inept police to bizarre workplace dynamics and social hypocrisy. Underneath the absurdity lies a thriller-like subplot: a drug trafficking operation smuggling heroin from Thailand to West Germany. This storyline, featuring shady sports officials, a Thai student, and a crooked firefighter, adds a layer of intrigue reminiscent of American crime dramas.
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Air Date: 1987-10-17
Jacek and Mr. Stanisław take turns driving an old taxi, which the WPT management is soon planning to replace with a n...
Air Date: 1987-10-24
After returning from his final shift, Stanisław begins repairing his battered old taxi. Suddenly, a statue of a mouse...
Air Date: 1987-11-09
Kasia is growing tired of her thankless job. Every day, she has to endure the exhausting company of President Koniusz...
Air Date: 1987-11-16
President Koniuszko makes Kasia an unusual offer: he persuades her to impersonate his son and take the driving exam o...
Air Date: 1987-11-23
Disguised as a man, Kasia begins her job at MPT. She quickly realizes that pretending to be Marian Koniuszko is far m...
Air Date: 1988-01-17
The so-called “special care press” is a weekly magazine that President Klusek’s associates buy in bulk. Hidden inside...
Air Date: 1987-01-24
Among the passengers arriving from Bangkok and waiting for customs clearance is Krashan, carrying illicit goods. Due ...
Air Date: 1987-01-25
During a chase after an express train, Krashan pulls out a gun. Taking advantage of his distraction, Jacek escapes. K...
Air Date: 1987-01-26
Gonschorek arrives in Warsaw from Berlin to personally oversee Klusek and the faltering drug operations. Meanwhile, K...
Air Date: 1987-01-27
Upon learning of the death of renowned novelist Jan Oborniak, editor-in-chief Samelko and his colleague Lusia from th...
Air Date: 1987-01-28
Klusek and Gonschorek try to pressure Jacek into giving false testimony in court regarding the kidnapping of taxi 131...
Air Date: 1987-01-29
Famous director Barewicz receives news that he’s won the Grand Prix at a film festival in West Berlin, along with a p...
Air Date: 1987-01-30
Firefighter Kuśmider and Krashan stand trial for the kidnapping of taxi 1313. The drug-related charges remain murky—b...
Air Date: 1987-01-31
Krashan gets into taxi 1313, driven by Kasia, intending to retrieve dollars hidden in the driver’s seat. Suspecting a...
Air Date: 1987-02-01
Thanks to Mr. Stanisław’s connection with Michalik, Kasia and Jacek are granted an apartment—rumored to be haunted. W...