Operação Berlim

/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.

Excellent show but it is on the slower side. It's not perfect, there are a lot of cliches and some poorly written characters but it's still a great watch. As the series progresses it gets more intricate and the characters improve.

They don't really delve into politics but they do clearly have a bias. It's not an issue in the show, you can just ignore it for the most part. Some of the story's are painfully cliche but the stories usually become so complex that they become more interesting.

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...

I wanted to watch this because I am a huge fan of Olen Steinhauer. I have read all of his excellent books. For the first half of season 1 we weren't sure about the series, but once one gets familiar with the characters & their roles, it takes off. I suppose it's a bit confusing because the world of spy craft is by definition clandestine. Richard Jenkins is masterful in his role. We are really looking forward to season2.

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.