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A great escape from all the craziness the world is experiencing right now is story-telling, be it books, movies, TV-Shows or even videogames. If you are looking for a great TV Show to watch during these bizarre times, a great option is German-drama Babylon Berlin.
First things first, my recommendation, is to watch it in German with subtitles, the way it was meant to be watched. Full disclosure, where I come from we are used to watching films and series with subtitles, and I also speak German, so it was a no brainer for me. I understand some people aren’t used to subtitles but it’s just a matter of getting used to them, so if you can, please give subtitles a chance.
Now onto the series itself, the story takes place during the 1920s and follows Inspector Gereon Rath (Volker Bruch), who’s transferred from Cologne to Berlin following a case. He joins the Vice Squad and is partnered with Chief Inspector Bruno Wolter (Peter Kurth).
In the precinct, he runs into (quite literally into) Charlotte Ritter (Liv Lisa Fries), a stenotypist at the precinct and prostitute at night, who aspires to become a police inspector. Somehow Gereon ends up involved in a murder case and everything gets oh so complicated.
The show is a one-case per season kind of procedural, so the first two seasons (which were originally 1) on 1 specific case, whereas the 3 season is a completely different case. However, behind these cases, the foundations of a bigger plot are laid, the rise of National Socialism.
The writing is truly phenomenal and the story and characters are fascinating. Each episode gives you a piece of the puzzle that each character is. The extreme circumstances they are thrown at times bend and break them, which of course makes great drama. You can’t help but be pulling for these characters, hoping they get through all the crap life throws them but alas, a happy ending may not be in the cards for them, considering the time period.
One of my favorite aspects of this show is the soundtrack, not only does it give that Golden 20’s ambiance but it also gives some introspection into the characters, it’s fantastic.
If you’re into noir, history or you just love good dramas, you should give Babylon Berlin a chance, you won’t regret it.
Season 1, 2 and 3 are available on Netflix US.
For more recommendations, reviews and news, follow me on Twitter @MCLCloss and don’t forget to follow @TheCinemaSpot as well.
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