Classics: A Review of Babylon Berlin By Lauren Ennis

Unemployment is rising, morals are plummeting, and politics continue to divide, my how the twenties roar; the nineteen twenties that is. Few eras continue to hold public fascination like the nineteen twenties, and few cities embodied that era of the beautiful and damned with the reckless abandon of Weimar era Berlin. The hit series Babylon Berlin explores the gritty reality behind the glamorous myth of the roaring twenties through its portrayal of a city hovering on the edge of disaster in a time and place in which life is anything but a cabaret.

Let's party like its 1929

The story begins with police inspector Gereon Rath being transferred from his hometown of Cologne to the gritty streets of Berlin. While the pornography/blackmail case that he is assigned to investigate initially seems open and shut, he quickly learns that not everything is as it seems. He soon finds himself ensnared in a convoluted web of political intrigue and personal greed that is guaranteed to leave even the most savvy of viewers guessing. He finds an unlikely partner in the form of aspiring detective turned call girl Charlotte. Together, the two uncover a series of sinister plots that take them from the city's back allies to the upper echelons of high society, and ultimately lead to the contents of a mysterious Soviet freight train. As they struggle to stay one step ahead of the criminals that they're pursuing, the pair face a series of revelations and betrayals that leave them wondering who, if anyone, they can trust, including each other.

Deftly merging elements of historical drama, political thriller, and police procedural, Babylon Berlin resurrects Weimar Berlin in all of its grit and glory, showcasing a dizzying array of details that even the most astute of historians would approve of. The sets and costumes highlight the extremes of a society torn between its past and present and divided between wealth and poverty. Rather than approaching its setting from a modern perspective and focusing upon the rise of the Third Reich, the series instead explores the ways in which Berlin, like much of Europe, was already engaged in a war within itself long before the Nazis came to power. In this Berlin, communist factions clash with one another in the streets, while rival criminal gangs unleash their own reign of terror, and nationalist groups seek to restore the monarchy at any cost. In this Babylon of a city it is not a question of 'us against them', but of every man, woman, and child against the world. Through its portrayal of an era in which merely surviving one day to the next was a matter of struggle and compromise the series reveals how Germany was already set on a course headed straight for disaster. Even as it portrays conflicts unique to the twentieth century, however, the series remains startlingly relevant through its depiction of issues that continue to resonate today including substance abuse, economic instability, PTSD, and political corruption. Despite its historical setting, the plot's maze of twists and turns serves up thrills that are sure to keep even the most seasoned of modern viewers on the edge of their seats. Although the sixteen episodes of the first two seasons are tightly paced, the series develops each of its numerous characters with a complexity and nuance that ensures that even the most brief of roles avoid cliches and stereotypes.

Toto, I have a feeling that we aren't in Cologne anymore

Weimar era Berlin roars to life thanks to the mesmerizing work of the series' talented ensemble cast. Liv Lisa Fries is captivating in her equal parts steely and effervescent portrayal of Charlotte. Volker Bruch conveys a world weariness worthy of Humphrey Bogart in a complex performance straight out of a classic noir. Peter Kurth steals each scene in which he appears, infusing his role as Gereon's corrupt colleague, Bruno, with charisma and humor. Severija Janusauskaite channels Marlene Dietrich in her smoldering turn as calculating nightclub performer turned Russian agent Svetlana. Anton von Lucke conveys warmth and boyish charm as Bruno's diligent assistant, Stefan. Leonie Benesch is appropriately vulnerable as innocent gone astray Greta. These are just a few of the cast of colorful characters that are certain to leave you binge watching.

Babylon Berlin is more than just a television series, it is a non-stop thrill ride through one of history's most explosive, fascinating, and ultimately ominous chapters. Through its absorbing script and enthralling performances the series relates a tale of intrigue, corruption, and desperation that is eerily resonant in our own era. Season three has just premiered, so start your own unforgettable journey into the Weimar Republic in Babylon Berlin.

PS Good luck trying to get the soundtrack out of your head