User Reviews

With the global rise of populism, economic interdependence, supply chain issues, corruption, wars, and widespread criminality, the stage is set. In order to not repeat past mistakes, one needs to learn from the past and take action to alter the course of events. The fall third Weimar Republic which this series so brilliantly depicts sheds light on what can happen if we don't heed the warning signs. Self-aggrandizement, disregard for human life and suffering by the powerful, conspicuous consumption among the haves and hunger among the impoverished; squashing of one's political opponents, manipulation of the weak as pawns in the quest for absolute power, debauchery, the occult, prostitution, violation of international treaties, indoctrination and exploitation of the youth, suspense, subterfuge, espionage - you name it, this series has it. One of the finest series to air in the U. S.

It's New Year's Eve of 1930/31 in Berlin. Charlotte Ritter is on duty at Police HQ. Alfred Nyssen is throwing a lavish party at his mansion...and is revealing his relationship with Helga and his most audacious latest project. Meanwhile Gereon Rath is in the SA, the paramilitary wing of the Nazi Party, and tonight the SA is marching and looking for a fight.

In my review of the first three seasons of Babylon Berlin I said it would interesting to see how the writers get around the fact that the efforts of the police are always stymied when it comes to dealing with the Nazis, as their political power gets them out of jams. I applauded the historical accuracy of the show and the fact that everything in the series is taking place against the backdrop of the political changes occurring in Germany in the 1920s and 30s. However, I also found this a bit frustrating, for the reason mentioned above.

Well, we might have our answer already. With Rath joining the SA the writers might have adopted the policy of "if you can't beat them, join them" in Rath's case. His joining the SA does make for a very interesting plot development, one which will be intriguing to see develop further as the season progresses. I personally think that Rath is undercover, sent to infiltrate the SA, but we'll have to see where this goes.

As far as solving crime goes, there is a crime, but no mystery to who did it. No great conspiracies or mysteries, yet, making this episode a pre-crime scene-setter and a bit flatter than expected as a result. Still there's enough intrigue and machinations to make it quite interesting.

From the first 3 minutes of season 4 we know something has gone terribly wrong for our characters and the world they live in. It had been building over the last three seasons underneath the glitz and glamour you could FEEL an animalistic hatred stirring...

This episode makes it clear that the golden days have ended, and it's done in such a brilliant manner.

Suddenly, we see muted colors, we notice the sheer amount of disparity, even the weather is unsettled. The weight of what is about to happen is written into the very flesh of the characters faces. It is so unsettling because we as the audience know what is coming. The characters however, can only feel the growing tension, as the world slowly dissolves into a living nightmare around them.

This show has proven over 3 seasons that it is an absolute masterwork of historical fiction, and the 4 season makes it clear that the bar will be raised yet again.