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.
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ottawa-219 September 2019
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jdowney-57-37115714 May 2017Berlin Station is a very John Le Carre type of spy story, but centered around the American CIA rather than the Brits. The story has requisite twists and turns, a complex plot centered around the War on Terror and a Julian Assange style leaker who wrecks havoc with the American spy agency and it's relationship with it's counterparts from other countries.
There are a number of good performances in this show. The European setting gives the show a different feel from most American TV fare, and that in itself is very effective in making the show unique. Even Homeland, which is similar in setting, seems very American, where this show just looks and feels different. The weakest part of the show may be the somewhat contrived and clichéd nature of one or two of the backstories that are supposed to add depth to the characters. Oh..she's in an interracial relationship, and he's having an affair with his secretary, and he's disgruntled and uses hookers because his kid back in the USA is disgruntled...etc. Some of that is too 1,2,3 check off the box plot devices that just aren't adding anything to the story.
The main spy story weaves its way through enough twists and turns to keep one interested, like a Le Carre spy novel, the angst and motivations of the main characters, and their regrets at past mistakes gives them the beat-down feeling of Smiley. There is no James Bond or Jason Bourne here, just people doing routine spy work and trying to cope with moral ramifications and amoral counterparts.
Superficially anti-CIA, I think the story is more about moral relativism, and the evil that men do. There are more bad-guys than good guys in this one.
If you like a complex plot executed well by talented actors, then you will enjoy this show. -
ablack9024 December 2018I've enjoyed every season of Berlin Station including the most recent season 3. This espionage show far outshines Homeland in that it really shows a team approach to intelligence. The writing is excellent, even if just a little expository in places. The themes keep up with what is currently happening in the world and the actors are all stellar. I especially love Leland Orser's acting. I'm a little surprised to see such a low rating over at Rotten Tomatoes. Makes me wonder who the heck is reviewing stuff over there.
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11 stars.
Too bad it wasn't on Netflix or a Prime Original but on some obscure station few could have. The wait was worth waiting for. Had it been accessible it would be heading for season 4. Current. Interesting. Intelligent. Original. Well acted. Visually appealing.
Own it. I do. -
tom-9645714 December 2016After 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. -
Superb spy series, the best on TV in a very long time. The first really good one from modern Berlin.
The first episode or two are a bit shaky, but don't worry... by episode 4 it's sailing along, and gets more and MORE exciting. Each new episode brings new surprises to a really complex plot, and the direction is assured and satisfying. Even the final episode 10 brings new twists in the plot, and new depth to supporting characters.
Rhys Ifans is incredible - powerful and nuanced performance. Michelle Forbes (from way back, Ensign Ro) is terrific in a supporting role. Richard Jenkins shows what a fine actor he can be with a good script and good direction. Other supporting roles are spot-on, too.
Wonderful. Don't worry about the first episode or two - just relax and let this top-notch spy series take you on a roller coaster ride! -
channelnoise24 September 2016Its an excellent new series. Its still to be aired and we are seeing some judgmental reviews already. The series need time and story needs to be understood in it's context. Some have criticized the story for being about hunting down whistle blowers. Well the story just began. It shows, how much spy agencies are on the verge of collapsing their personal identity all the time. It also reveals how people with potential sources can be a threat to the worlds biggest spy agency. At the same, it highlights personal lives, tedious inside jobs and also the rogues within the various agencies. It also shows how German spy agency and the CIA work together in the marriage of inconvenience.
I must say its a thriller with a very strong cast and must be seen without any prejudice. Spy agencies are controversial around the world and this series makes every thing more intriguing. Its not even aired but quality music, great camera work and outstanding cast should make it one of the successful new series. I highly recommend it to people with taste in spy movies. -
amoore-413 April 2019Have 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...
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/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. -
If you are looking for the high octane action of Jason Bourne, don't bother with Berlin Station. But if you admire the slow moving, intricately plotted, politically thoughtful stories of John Le Carré, you will love it. Ignore the reviewers here who find it "anti-American." It is neither pro nor anti. Instead, it slowly unfolds the moral complexities of the contemporary world in which "friends" and "enemies" are finally indistinguishable. German intelligence agents from both sides of the former wall, Mossad agents, and CIA operatives with various allegiances (and sexual preferences) negotiate a political landscape in which "good" and "evil" are the illusions of naive fools and moral choices are never simple. Clearly, some of the other reviews here were written early in the series because their judgments are based on plot elements that are later reversed or complicated. The show continues to unfold new surprises right up to the end. Far more complex than Homeland with which it is often compared, this is television for intelligent adults with sophisticated tastes and some appreciation for the subtleties of the genre.
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chelseagirl7422 November 2016It'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.
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clacura11 March 2018Berlin Station is a TV show that needs respect and support because it is intelligent. It is a show that requires one to sit in pocket, not driven by dribble gun fire and sex. This is not network TV! This is not an episode of The Blacklist. Part of the cable TV renascence is to allow for intricate plots that do not conclude in 42 minutes. These shows are the antidote for an ADD culture. This is an adult show and TV needs a place where adults can gather. So, thank you EPIX.
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HassanYacoob17 August 2020Season 1 is worth an 8 rating, with suspense, unpredictability and interesting characters. Season 2 is somewhat interesting if weak overall, but it all falls apart in Season 3, where a weak main story line is supplemented with some utterly useless side-stories. The whole Diver plot is of no relevance and the 'twist' ending is utterly underwhelming. the April Lewis love affair only detracted from the overall story, and one gets the feeling that her inclusion in the overall plot is just political correctness.
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altereggo12317 June 2022Two great seasons. Skip season three.
Seasons 1 and 2 are nail biting spy thrillers that will cost you sleep as you binge-watch late into the night. The series is filled with unique, memorable characters, especially Hector De Jean many unexpected plot twists. Its a bit anti-American at times (starting with the David Bowie theme song, "I'm afraid of Americans"). Still, the supposed heroes and villains all do things that fall into gray areas and the ending of season two finds a balance between simple ideas of good and evil. The show should have ended then.
Season 3 seems determined to trash all the characters so well-developed in Seasons 1 and 2. The subtlety is lost, political correctness takes over. Lots of Trump bashing (though I don't think he is specifically mentioned by name, just the "administration"). There is some very unsubtle diversity hiring. There is a new Latin agent Torres, who we are told is some sort of genius with an IQ off the charts. He seems to have wandered in from a martial arts movie, doing choreographed fight scenes with skill, but reciting his lines like he is high. Maybe mispronouncing words on purpose and speaking lines woozily while tilting his head erratically is his way of proving that his is no ordinary intellect.
There is also an African-American, millennial female who seems more like a whiny, weepy college freshman. I'm surprised she isn't carded at the swanky bars where the agents go to discuss their spy craft. We are improbably told by another character that she has "an elegant mind." Her job is to get a genius Nigerian scientist not to turn over a secret weapon he has designed to the Chinese. It's hard to believe she could either be an agent or be the handler of other agents.
Instead of constantly telling us how smart these new characters are, maybe the show could have simply shown us these qualities. Different actors would have helped. Still, I'm sure the HR department is now happy.
Season 3 also replaces careful plotting with gimmicks, like hackers who can quickly break into any system and accomplish just about anything on a massive, city or nationwide scale.
If I have gone on too long about Season 3, it's because it wrecked the positive vibes I felt after Season 2 and irredeemably ruined the show.. Watch them all if you want, but you've been warned. -
Sometimes, I'm at loss as why some reviewers have such abnormal and illogical expectations from a series and decide to belittle and trash it at all cost, not feeling or not wanting to feel its vibe nor sense it.
I say so because IMO, Berlin Station was a very good and interesting series, in all its 3 seasons, with good writing, beautiful soundtrack & cinematography, nice plots and professional acting. What you need to do is to immerse yourself in it and let each season's story drag you into its confines. Of course, the above couldn't be done if a series is bad in its layers, which is not the case of Berlin Station and never was. Believe me, I'm very critical myself and if something is dashingly wrong, I would surely indicate and write about it.
Some are critical of Ashley Judd not being able to act or having whatever voice she has. IMO, she acted decent enough, was one of the characters of the series (please pay attention, one of the characters!, she was not a planet having others satellite her), her voice was her voice, nothing specially bad and was okay.
Each season has its own interesting twists and turns that always keep your attention, believe me. Of course, I won't say they are perfect. They are what they make you feel in each season and the feel of it was appreciative and satisfying.
Recommended to all fans of spy series wherever they live.
On a side note, I had my own deceptions when it was decided to end it after season 3, but it is what it is and you cannot always have it your way.
Looking forward to another spy show, whenever it would be and hoping that it would be as interesting and joyful as Berlin Station. -
heibeinh8 June 2019I 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.
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ncri26 October 2017I really enjoy this series. The first season was excellent, although somewhat hard to follow for me at times. The second season starts really promising, much more action oriented and easier to understand. So far I enjoy it even more than the first season as the topic is also highly relevant at the moment in Germany. Also the acting is on a very high level and the German that is spoken is actually good German and not some gibberish as in many other US productions with German language parts. And please guys, don't down-vote the series just because you don't agree on the political view it displays.
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officialthunderwolf4 September 2017I absolutely loved Berlin Station! I'm very picky and usually get bored fairly easily, if I'm not fully engaged in whatever I'm watching, but this show caught me from the pilot all the way through to the finale! I'm very excited to see Season 2 in October! Fingers crossed they won't cancel it before at least a few seasons. It sort of reminded me of the BBC show Mi5 (Spooks), not only because of Richard Armitage, but the overall feel of it. I'm really a sucker for well written spy shows and Berlin Station definitely hit the mark. 10 outta 10!
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Coachcrane1 November 2017I enjoyed season 1 of Berlin Station. It's not the best show on TV, but it certainly isn't the worst. However, with the addition of Ashley Judd, the second season is very difficult to watch. Her acting is stale and stiff, and the writing for her is horrible. Not to mention, her character's name is BB Yates. Say that out loud. It's pretty much the name of the robot in the most recent Star Wars movie. Episode 2 of the second season was pretty enjoyable, but that was because Ashley wasn't in it. But after watching just the first few minutes of episode 3, I'm already tired of her again. Michelle Forbes' character, Valerie, was by far the weak link last season when it came to acting. Now, with her and Judd in the same scenes, it's almost unbearable. Do us a favor, producers, and let's move on from the Ashley Judd experiment.
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shaqmbile19 July 2021Excellent 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. -
nerdvert21 September 2016Based on the first two episodes of Berlin Station, I'd recommend this show. This is a promising spy thriller written by bestselling author Olen Steinhauer, who is a master at telling spy stories. The first two episodes provide the framework for the story and its ensemble of characters, each with their own foibles, lies and background that remains to be revealed.
As the IMDb summary outlines, a CIA field agent is sent to Berlin to uncover the whistle-blower Thomas Shaw who is releasing damaging intel against the CIA. The station is under a ticking timebomb to find out who Shaw is before the next set of damaging leaks. Central to the story is Daniel Miller (Richard Armitage) and Hector DeJean (Rhys Ifans) who both have something to hide and both involved in finding (or hiding?) Thomas Shaw. Cool cinematic shots of Berlin and strong acting by all cast, with promise to build over the next episodes. Don't expect this to be a thrill-ride in the first two episodes, this isn't a feature movie. But overall, thumbs up! -
loandersson-924-7678218 April 2018Season one was thrilling and interesting. I rated it 8-9. Season two however....the 7 first episodes was almost unbearable to watch. The plot is thin and the work they do as "spies" is so unprofessional and highly unlikely it just hurts.
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andreasfuchs-0053015 February 2023Don't understand why Berlin Station is rated under 8 stars. For me the Series is definitly at least a 8.2 - compared to the peer group. Exciting & tempting story, well played roles and stunning actors (Famous german actors aswell) No annoying side stories. I also really enjoyed the varied Storys between the series 1,2 and 3. Up to date topics, quite near to the reality. For me series 2 is the best and most exciting one. Don't understand why there is no successor developed since there would be plenty of content to continue with. During the episodes you get really close to the roles and relationships, would like to see more!
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elenazka10 March 2019Season 1 was gripping and full of suspense from episode to episode and I couldn't wait for Season 2. Season 2 and 3 have been deeply disappointing because it feels like they were directed and written by a different team who are running out of ideas.
I could not take the pain anymore so I just stopped watching. -
atoothbrush13 January 2018I quite enjoyed the 1st season. The struggle of spies with their private relationships, their conscience and integrity, their co-workers, the media and public perceptions, all within the murky current era. Berlin was a nice backdrop for it all to play out, but it was about a CIA station that could have been anywhere in the West. 8/10 for the 1st Season from me.
Season 2 sadly left most of the the Season 1 dynamic behind for a story about the USA influencing German domestic politics. The political subtext was so overt and so cliché it often broke the immersion for me. 4/10 for the 2nd Season.
Both seasons have some good characters and actors making the most of them. I particularly liked Rhys Ifans, Leland Orser, Michelle Forbes, and Richard Jenkins.