Not long ago, I made a case for why Babylon Berlin is the best show on television that you are not watching after the release of seasons one and two on Blu-Ray. If I did my job, you have become just as engrossed in this lavish German series as I have. With the release of the third season on Blu-Ray, it is with great excitement that I report that the series is just as strong as ever. Season three of Babylon Berlin begins shortly after the explosive events of the previous season that found the unstable democracy of the Weimar Republic of Germany being slowly undermined by the bubbling forces of what will become the Nazi party. We are greeted with a chaotic scene of the first financial collapse that kicked off the Great Depression and then taken back several months to see the various machinations and blood-soaked events that precipitated this historic moment. As with the initial two installments, the show continues to hook you with characters that you love and love to hate engaged in complex, satisfying storylines that are complemented with a visual wonder that is beyond reproach.
Our two main protagonists return after some truly harrowing events at the end of season two. Gereon Rath (Volker Bruch) has mostly kicked his morphine addiction to soften his PTSD, but revelations about the identity of his psychotherapist continues to plague the detective as he tries to settle into a domestic life with his brother’s widow, Helga (Hannah Herzsprung), and her son, Moritz (Ivo Pietzcke), who is falling into a bad crowd. Charlotte (Liv Lisa Fries) has evolved from stenographer and part-time sex worker to inspector’s assistant who should already be a detective, but is still held up by the patriarchy. Charlotte is at a pivotal point in her career in which she is outsmarting most of her superiors, but she is also contending with various dramas on the homefront including one wayward sister and another sister who is going blind. Not to mention a best friend who is on trial for her part in the bombing of a government official. Both of these individuals have a lot on their plate, and that is not even counting the simmering sexual tension between them that permeates the series.
Babylon Berlin has always had a great balance of exploring the larger issues of the time period with more personal stories for the expansive cast of characters. There is a nice intersection between the two in the case of Charlotte’s incarcerated friend, Greta (Leonie Benesch), who was tricked by the Nazis to deliver a key blow to democracy. Through this case, we see the beginning of the various ways the party grows their power in secret, especially through the fearsome and despicable Colonel Gottfried Wendt (Benno Fürmann). Greta may be but one small possible misstep in an impeccably mapped-out plan, but she has the power to undermine said plan. The Nazi’s intimidation and manipulation elsewhere with the banks and the press could not feel more relevant to today. The only way to combat oppression is to shine a light on it, and people will do anything to prevent that from happening.
While the burgeoning Nazi uprising would probably be enough to focus on for most shows, this season once again has an extremely compelling murder case to follow throughout. The victim in question this time is an actress who is murdered on set during filming, and she will not be the last person to find their lives cut short in connection with this project. Behind the scenes of this production is “The Armenian” Edgar Kasabian (Mišel Matičević), an unsettling member of the Berlin underworld who has been lurking since episode one. The investigation leads to some gasp-worthy moments and revelations that will reward those who have been watching from the beginning. The way this show is so expertly constructed never ceases to amaze. Not only is every single plot thread essential in the end, but every performer bringing it to life is pitch-perfect in their role. This big-budget production continues to put every cent to good use as the production design and costumes allow you to immerse seamlessly into this world. Babylon Berlin is in the rarified air of truly impeccable storytelling on television. Every episode will leave you breathless and you will more than likely want to binge the season again once you have concluded it. It does not get much better.
Video Quality
Like the first two seasons, Babylon Berlin: Season 3 comes to Blu-Ray in a stunning 1080p transfer. This brand new series is presented without any glaring flaws or digital anomalies. The series looks great on Netflix, but the Blu-Ray presentation holds up better with more consistent black levels and less compression. The cinematography is truly top notch as the show gets to show off many gorgeous and detailed locations. The color palette is natural and vivid with brilliant moments of stunning hues that pop off the screen. Fine detail is present in the production design and ornate costumes. The vegetation of the countryside also gives the disc a chance to shine in a very pleasing manner. Skin tones look natural throughout the season in the various lighting situations. Kino Lorber has done a stand up job with this presentation.
Audio Quality
The Blu-Ray set comes with a DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 track which is a joy to experience. The set is presented in the original German with optional English subtitles. The series is primarily dialogue driven, but there are also fairly frequent action-packed sequences such as shootouts or a foot pursuit that kick this track into overdrive. There is some nice ambient activity in the rear channels, especially during crowded sequences at the club or during the run on the bank The dialogue primarily stays in front center channels and is reproduced clearly. The track does a good job of making sure neither sound effects nor the score ever overpowers dialogue. The score from Tom Twyker and Johnny Klimek brings a richness to the series that fills up the room on this track. When the action kicks in, there is some heft to the low end that is appreciated in a series such as this one. This track has a substantial dynamic range that should please fans of the series.
Special Features
- Trailers: The only special features this time out are trailers for Seasons 1&2 and Season 3 of Babylon Berlin.
Final Thoughts
Babylon Berlin is simply one of the best shows around today. Every single element from the engrossing story to the rich performances and flawless aesthetic works in tandem to create a magical experience. The quality is maintained as the show moves on with its third season which finds the story expanding out more and more. Kino Classics has provided a Blu-Ray set that has an excellent A/V presentation, but not much in the way of special features. There is so much to enjoy and unpack with this show that you will find yourself wanting to go through it multiple times to appreciate everything it has to offer. Highly Recommended
Babylon Berlin: Season 3 is currently available to purchase on Blu-Ray and DVD.
Note: Images presented in this review are not reflective of the image quality of the Blu-Ray.
Disclaimer: Kino Lorber has supplied a copy of this disc free of charge for review purposes. All opinions in this review are the honest reactions of the author.
Dillon is most comfortable sitting around in a theatre all day watching both big budget and independent movies.
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