Jonas Nay
Maria Schrader
Sonja Gerhardt
Ulrich Noethen
Ludwig Trepte

Anna Winger

Drama
2015-
SundanceTV

TV-MA

“Deutschland 83,” airing on Sundance TV in the U.S., is set during the 1980s. The first episode begins in 1983, hence the title. This is yet another spy story set during the Cold War, but it’s located in East Germany and West Germany, instead of in the States, the Soviet Union, or England. (East Germany was considered a satellite state of the Soviet Union. West Germany was aligned with NATO. So, this is about East Germany spying on West Germany and West Germany’s NATO allies.) The dialogue is in German, so be prepared to read subtitles, which are occasionally hard to see and can, at times, move rather quickly. Its look fits in with that of other offerings on Sundance: It’s closer to “The Honorable Woman,” which is not set in the 1980s, than to FX’s “The Americans,” which is set in the 1980s. But “The Americans” focuses on 1980s America, whereas this show has an expectedly European look and feel. As I watched the first episode, I was also reminded, just a bit, of BBC America’s “The Game.” However, “The Game,” a British show, is set during the 1970s instead of the 1980s.

With that out of the way, let’s focus on whether it’s a worthwhile viewing experience: Yes, if you like the spy thriller genre. But this show doesn’t just have the trappings of that genre. It also has elements of family drama and a dry sense of humor. In one sequence, the lead character, Martin Rauch, learns how to be a spy and blend into West German culture. That sequence, during which Martin sports a Puma tee instead of his military uniform, zips by and indicates that this show won’t take itself seriously all of the time. The transitions between seriousness and levity work largely because neither is overdone. The pace, overall, is moderate for the most part. That’s noteworthy for Sundance, because it tends to showcase programming that moves at a glacial pace. So, this show is a nice addition to its offerings; there’s energy on display, at times, that provides a nice contrast to the dramatic moments and the tension that’s necessary for any good spy thriller. Well done.

Verdict: Very Good

About: (Source: deutschland)

DEUTSCHLAND 83 is a gripping coming-of-age story set against the real culture wars and political events of Germany in the 1980s. The drama follows Martin Rauch (Jonas Nay) as the 24 year-old East Germany native is pulled from the world as he knows it and sent to the West as an undercover spy for the Stasi foreign service. Hiding in plain sight in the West German army, he must gather the secrets of NATO military strategy. Everything is new, nothing is quite what it seems and everyone he encounters is harboring secrets, both political and personal.