Deutschland 83

[GwenRaiden]

Deutschland 83
Set in a divided Germany in 1983, during a peak period for Cold War tensions between East and West. Martin Rauch, a wide-eyed 24-year-old East German soldier plucked from obscurity, goes undercover as a West German soldier for the East Germany Secret Service.

So @Professor Walsh mentioned this show to me when we were talking about TV, and we decided to watch it together (rewatching in @Professor Walsh's case). We thought we'd start a thread to share our thoughts on the eight episode drama as we go, and also to make anyone else aware who'd like to join in.

Tonight we watched episode 1 - Quantum Jump

A really thrilling and exciting start to the programme. They managed to pack in a whole lot in to the 47 minutes. We got to see a quick snippet of Martin's (East German) solider life and home life before the action begins. Ronald Reagan's confrontational "Evil Empire" speech hits us in the face and off we go.

Jonas Nay is an enjoyable actor to watch. Even spoken in German with English subtitles he doesn't miss a beat for me. Martin's Aunt, Lenora, who works for the DDR, recruits him quickstyle when she realises Martin fits the profile they are looking for. Blackmailing him emotionally telling him his stint as being an East German spy will not only get his sick mum a kidney transplant but that an apartment and car for Martin and his girlfriend Annett are in the bargain too, Lenora succeeds.

We also meet Tobias Tischbier who is a longtime undercover agent and educator, who trains Martin and shows him the tricks of the trade. (I like Tobias).

“We all want to go home but someone has to make sure that there’s an East Germany to go home to” - Tobias Tischbier

Martin is given a new identity, that of a murdered soldier named Moritz Stamm and is sent to Bonn to work as an aide-de-camp for senior West German Army officer, General Wolfgang Edel, who mostly deals with Americans at NATO. We get to meet Edel's son and daughter in this episode too, Alex Edel who also serves in the army alongside Martin AKA Stamm, and Yvonne Edel seen at the Edel home, who seems to be of college-age and sings at the party Martin attends. I actually found Edel likable, he treats Martin well.

There's some really tense moments when Martin is photographing American documents in Edel's office, and when he gets caught by General Edel's sister-in-law making a call home to his girlfriend in East Germany. I'd say they are mostly tense because Martin is a bit of a shit spy (so far). With not much training and his desire to go home, it's no wonder why. His potential has still to show up for me, there's a couple of small moments, but not much. (The mistakes scare me!).

Oh. Also. Amazing 80s soundtrack that I absolutely loved. It fit so well into the scenes and they even poked fun at some of the "one hit wonders" we got to hear.

I genuinely look forward to watching more. It's one of those shows where an episode feels like short film. Hopefully with a short intermission before the next installment.

 

[Professor Walsh]

Ach, the poor little reluctant spy. I am glad you liked it. Recommending something so warmly to someone else always feels a little scary to me, what if they don't like it at all? I love both the music and the aesthetic of the series. I'd say they've nailed that. Power dressing & corduroy, yay.

Oh - time is running here. I need to go and get breakfast before catching my bus to Uni! Ah'll be bahck.

I can be available same time tonight and tomorrow, if it suits you. Possibly also the weekend.

 

[Professor Walsh]

Tomorrow is good. I could do two, if you want to.

 

[GwenRaiden]

I told my worser half about D83 and now he wants to watch too. 😀 He'd already heard of it so he definitely likes the sound of it. I told him to catch up by watching episode one before tomorrow.

 

[Professor Walsh]

So. Back at the hotel for a break before heading for the library.

I had great fun (re)watching with you. The opening episode is great, with lots of references (Have you seen "Lola rennt"?) and heaps of hints of what's to come. I love that Lenora opens the ball. Maria Schrader rocks in the role as ruthless "cultural attaché". There's quite the handful of enjoyable roles for women in the series, few of which have stories driven by romance (and several for women who are no longer young).

Jonas Nay is good (and actually plays the piano), I agree. Most of the cast is, actually. After watching this series, we ended up borrowing "Unsere Mütter, Unsere Väter" ("Generation War") at the library because of Ludwig Trepte (Alexander Edel). That turned out to be well worth our time as well.

Since you like both Tobias and General Edel, @GwenRaiden , I have to say one thing about things to come: Look forward to them meeting each other!

As for Tobias - I think he might have worked at the Doublemeat Palace. That's why he was so happy to let Martin have his burger.

 

[Professor Walsh]

Same time, same place, @GwenRaiden ?

 

[Professor Walsh]

So, @GwenRaiden , whaddaya think? They're not wasting time, that's for sure.

If anyone else dropping by the thread want to remain unspoiled, you are hereby warned. There will be spoilers.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v707/Thinkerbell/4321_zpsnqeorbmv.png

 

[GwenRaiden]

Another very good episode. I'm surprised at the pace in which the plot moves along, it's great though.

I thought the person sitting next to him on the couch at the end was going to be revealed to be Yvonne! But the secretary was ironic and funny. I have a feeling they might happen, Martin and Yvonne, which brings a whole new set of problems (?). And I thought the old army friend was totally going to catch him out! (Or did he, secretly?). The episode needed more Lenora, but we got some more Tobias so that was good. I like that Alex Edel looks up to Tobias and is all for the peace movement while being a General's son in the army. The assassination attempt was so random. But I do think Martin is improving as a spy (even if he does totally have me on edge anytime he is doing ANY spywork, so, like, ALL THE TIME).

 

[Professor Walsh]

The assassination attempt was so random. But I do think Martin is improving as a spy (even if he does totally have me on edge anytime he is doing ANY spywork, so, like, ALL THE TIME).

The randomness of the assasin is one of the weaker spot of the series, I think. A complete WTF that nearly put the other adult in this household off the series. Over-the-top fighting scenes for no good reason is not his favourite entertainment.

Lenora and Tobias are both excellent characters. And the Noble family are quite the piece of work ... Generally, I really enjoy the character gallery. Every prominent person in the series - and most of the minor ones as well - has something that annoys me and something that makes me sympathetic towards them.

... but what if somebody actually starts listening to the auntie?

 

[GwenRaiden]

Every prominent person in the series - and most of the minor ones as well - has something that annoys me and something that makes me sympathetic towards them.

Yes, definitely.

I actually feel quite bad that she's been dismissed so much! Maybe Yvonne will be the one to listen to her...

 

[GwenRaiden]

Two more great episodes.

First up we had Episode 3 - Atlantic Lion

Alex Edel's frustration at the peace movement group meetings is understandable but I reckon if he acted slightly less aggressively and adolescent more people would listen. Tobias is definitely listening though. Listening and watching all the time, that guy. Tobias seems to have big plans for Alex, he's definitely a master manipulator.

All of the floppy disc scenes were great. 😀 I liked that the technology stumped the east (no one's perfect in this world of spies).

I'm not 100% sure what is going on with Thomas and Ingrid. The books, the car. We know Martin would steal books and give them to his mother so why the big deal? Why is Annett so upset. Even if certain literature is forbidden, I thought she knew.

Linda and Martin bumping into Edel and Jackson was awkward and funny.

Sneaking into the antique shop was very tense! I thought the dog was going to tear him apart! Luckily Martin was only allergic to cats and not dogs. The sneezing would have been an instant giveaway. 😀

Episode 4 - Northern Wedding

A much more grim episode than anything we've seen yet.

So... that picnic didn't go well. I'm guessing if Martin looked back in hindsight he'd wish he had let Linda drown then. As frantic and scared as she was, it would only get worse for her.

Alex's fight with his dad was entertaining. Screaming at his father like a furious toddler with a soiled diaper, yet I still find him likable. Poor mum, though. Caught in the crossfires once again.

I think I might ship Alex/Tobias! Sexy mansion kiss was unexpected but pleasant. I don't think they will live happily ever after though.

I do believe Martin did like Linda, it wasn't all business. Otherwise he wouldn't have told her what he did about his identity. But proposing marriage after nearly leaving her to drown? OK.

Linda revealing that she and Mayar had previously had an affair, and that he'd ended it to save his marriage for his daughter's sake, was a sad moment. Suddenly the desk switcheroo made sense, and the way they spoke to each other. Martin's plans to incriminate Mayar went bust after that.

Martin does seem to be becoming more calculating and clever though, and believable. Still making mistakes as a spy but hey, he's getting the job done. Everyone is making mistakes in the show, both East and West - in life and work.

A dark ending to this episode, definitely. As soon as I seen Mayar reach for his desk drawer I knew what was coming. I guess that's one way to deal with Lenora.

 

[Professor Walsh]

The flawpy disk deserves to be remembered in television history forever. When the Stasi guys are standing there, staring at it ... Unforgettable.

First up we had Episode 3 - Atlantic Lion

Alex Edel's frustration at the peace movement group meetings is understandable but I reckon if he acted slightly less aggressively and adolescent more people would listen. Tobias is definitely listening though. Listening and watching all the time, that guy. Tobias seems to have big plans for Alex, he's definitely a master manipulator.

Oh yes. Quite the pair of chess players, Tobias and Lenora. Moving the chess pieces around. The impulsive, immature tin soldier has no protection what so ever against walking into the trap. And poor Felix tries to mark his territory, but Tobias has plans. I like seeing Tobias and Alex together, even though I know fully well that getting romantically involved with older spies rarely do much good for young people on the screen.

I'm not 100% sure what is going on with Thomas and Ingrid. The books, the car. We know Martin would steal books and give them to his mother so why the big deal? Why is Annett so upset. Even if certain literature is forbidden, I thought she knew.

Forbidden literature. The concept is so alien to me. I loved that the scene where Annett found the basement library was set up with music bringing bad omens and typical “scary cellar” lighting.

Sneaking into the antique shop was very tense! I thought the dog was going to tear him apart! Luckily Martin was only allergic to cats and not dogs. The sneezing would have been an instant giveaway. 😀

I nearly wrote that in the chat, but since I wasn’t quite sure where you were I didn’t want to spoil the mood.

Episode 4 - Northern Wedding

(…)

So... that picnic didn't go well. I'm guessing if Martin looked back in hindsight he'd wish he had let Linda drown then. As frantic and scared as she was, it would only get worse for her.

Yes. And the whole scene in the forest was a bit too random, like the assassin. Why on earth would a NATO secretary who we must assume knows a bit about taking care of herself run into the woods. A pretty young thing running for her life among the trees is rather unimaginative. It did give us the chance to see that Martin is getting harder, though, as you mentioned further down. I think Jonas Nay did some good acting with his changing facial expressions there. And the “I love you anyway” (or however it was texted in English) is a bit heartbreaking. It begins to look like he is becoming Moritz as well, with a Moritz-life in the West, and a Martin-life in the East.

Alex's fight with his dad was entertaining. Screaming at his father like a furious toddler with a soiled diaper, yet I still find him likable. Poor mum, though. Caught in the crossfires once again.

I know! From the beginning, Ursula seemed to have such a perfect life compared to her sister. Now the picture is beginning to look a bit worse for wear.

I do believe Martin did like Linda, it wasn't all business. Otherwise he wouldn't have told her what he did about his identity. But proposing marriage after nearly leaving her to drown? OK.

Yes. The whole story with the ring was unnecessary. They could have spent time letting us see the relationship develop between Ingrid and Annett and Linda and Martin in a different way. Generally, I think the weakness of the series is that they want to cram a little too much into the episodes. I’d happily have traded in the whole lost in the woods-part for having had time to see the car trip from Köln when Martin and Alex picked up Yvonne (or Devita, if you wish …), and more of Tobias and Alex together.

A dark ending to this episode, definitely. As soon as I seen Mayar reach for his desk drawer I knew what was coming. I guess that's one way to deal with Lenora.

Henrik Mayer, Linda Seiler and the real Moritz Stamm. This series is hard on the innocent people.


Oh well. Third world war is erupting over the Wii U. I need to mediate.

 

[Professor Walsh]

One little thing for you @GwenRaiden , before I crash. Look at Felix in the first scene where A sees T. Doesn't the young pacifist look like he's Tobias' little tin soldier as well?