I consider "Dark" to be my favorite episodic TV series of all time. So when show runners Baran bo Odar & Jantje Friese announced their next project--1899--I knew I'd be giving it a look. My expectations for the new product were impossibly high--yet somehow bo Odar & Friese matched them admirably with another rousing mystery!
For a very basic overview, 1899 tells the story of the Kerberos--a passenger ship crossing the Atlantic from UK to US in the titular year. Everyone on board seems to be running from something in their past and looking for a fresh start. While en route, the Kerberos receives a transmission from the Prometheus--their sister ship long-presumed missing. Deciding to check the situation out, the Kerberos and her crew stumble upon a discovery that will shake their foundation--perhaps the world's itself--to its very core.
Without delving into major spoilers, I can say this about 1899--it is not the show you'll think it is after 3 or 4 episodes--and in the best possible way! In the early goings, one could watch the series as a piece of historical fiction and character drama. But about halfway through this first season, it makes a pivot to the type of mystery/sci-fi/paranormal material (with more than a touch of philosophy thrown in!) that "Dark" fans will remember. A masterful approach, as it allows the characters to be built and savored before the plot machinations kick in.
In terms of that plot, bo Adar & Friese again prove themselves as the greatest creators of in-depth mysteries that have perhaps ever lived. Though the material seems "out there" at times, it always comes back to sense in the end or connects to some tangible theme. Between the pacing, fantastical elements, music, and visuals (again here showcasing the pair's almost steam-punk sensibilities), this is the holy grail for fans of plot-driven mystery.
As much as I have to say it, any bo Adar & Friese show must also come with a bit of a disclaimer: this isn't a show you can multi-task or second-screen. It will require your full, undivided attention to even begin putting the pieces together. I don't say that to scare people off, but rather as a baseline necessary for enjoyment. The more you put into this show, the more you'll take from it--and it is a worthy endeavor.
While I can't necessarily say that 1899 is "as good as Dark" seeing how they cover such different material, it doesn't lag far behind by any reckoning. This is mystery, sci-fi, and thriller of the highest order. The ending may be a little "out there" for some folks, but as long as they get renewed for more seasons, the Dark track record says these two masterminds have a plan and know how to execute it to perfection.