Berlin Station

/refers to Season 1/

This decade has produced a number of spy series dealing with the post Cold War period, mostly from UK or US, with new technology elements both facilitating and complicating intelligence activities in the foreign soil. Unlike in most series, in Berlin Station, we saw troubles and rivalry between the agencies of otherwise friendly NATO allies - US and Germany - with disclosure of state secrets in the background. Although the run of events is uneven and the guilty parties and their motives are revealed too soon, there is enough thrill, some unexpected turns, and logical development of characters operating in a nice metropolis called Berlin (as I spent there almost a week a couple of years ago, I had a lot of joy of recognition).

As for performances, they were good at least, with several pleasant US/UK character actors, e.g. Richard Jenkins, Leland Orser, or Rhys Ivans; well, the latter's "exterior" has become very similar to that of Peter Stormare :) As often in espionage productions, male characters/performers are more interesting here as well.

I had my doubts where to rate the series with 8 or 7 points - and yet, 7 as the ending was trivial plus I have been "spoilt" by more intriguing and sophisticated series, e.g The Americans. But still, I am eager to watch Season 2 when it comes to light.

It's not Jason Bourne, it's not James Bond and perhaps that's why a lot of people seem to think it is dull. The real world of espionage is probably more dull than any of us will ever know. I have seen it being accused of being pro CIA, I don't think so personally, of course the characters in the show are going to think they are the proverbial "good guys" everyone thinks they are the good guys.But we are already starting to see that they aren't always the good guys.Some were already bashing it after just one episode.I think it's one of the better things I've seen just lately. Well worth a watch if you are actually looking for something half decent.

EPIX has not renewed Berlin Station. The series is left unresolved. The fan base deserves better. An abbreviated fourth season, at the very least, is necessary to give closure to an outstanding spy series.

After 9 episodes, I'm anxious for the final episode and hoping this isn't a single season series. The writing is excellent and leaves me thinking about the questions that linger between episodes. I love the fact that the writers are totally faking me out time and again. Nothing predictable here.

The cast has been giving an all-out performance. The character Hector is a very convincing "dark" character. Very believable and probably the best performance of the entire cast.

The first episode lays the ground work leaving some questions not being answered until the last episode. Character development is top notch.

While this may be seen as a somewhat anti-American in the way that it vilifies the CIA, it's a great story line.

Very impressive production.

Have you seen recent Homeland episodes? How about Blacklist? They have been renewed even though the female protagonist of the former has run her course and episodes are now predictable, and The Blacklist's female protagonist quickly gets on your nerves with her daddy issues and sappy Tom Keen/baby scenes. Just read the reviews. But Berlin Station has Richard Armitage, Michele Forbes, Rhys Ifans, Leland Order, Richard Jenkins, and Ashley Judd. All, save, Judd are excellent, especially Rhys Ifans who plays a convincing tortured bad boy. Sure, the language is at times crude, but that's the way it is for some characters. And there are a few sex scenes, but hardly any and always in context. It's the viewers responsibility to read the content before watching rather than whining about 'offensive' words or scenes. Are the sets and locations perfect? No, but they don't have a GOT budget, yet they still do a convincing job nonetheless. This is intelligent character-based CIA action that takes place outside the US. Great group of actors, good writing and like Homeland, has a socio-political undercurrent. Riveting watching...