Deutschland 86 (2018) User Reviews

Watchable but not binge worthy!

[imranahmedsg · 7/10 · 21 December 2018]

After watching the first season - Deutschland 83 - I was excited to see the second season available on Netflix. Compared to Deutschland 83, this season was a slight disappointment; watchable but not as binge worthy as Deutschland 83.

For those expecting more of the same Deutschland 86 will come as a surprise. Deutschland 86 moved away from its core East Germany vs West Germany Cold War premise and shifted to the Cold War battleground of South Africa.

The episodes didn't flow seamlessly, i.e. the stories seemed jumpy and often only loosely connected. While there was continuity with main characters, e.g. Martin Rauch, Lenora Rauch, et. al. many new persons were introduced and made the story more complicated to follow.

In a nutshell, the plot goes as follows. The Soviet Union is near bankruptcy. Gorbachev is implementing reforms which include cutting financial aid to Warsaw Pact countries like East Germany. In the new environment, East Germany's government is forced to scramble for hard currencies like the Deutsche Marks (remember the West German currency?!) by going 'capitalist.'

Many schemes, legal and illegal but all surreptitious, are concocted by East German leaders. East German blood is sold across the border. East German citizens are used for (often unethical) medical trials by Western pharmaceutical companies.

However, for Deutschland 86 the focus is on smuggling weapons. Not just routine arms smuggling but violating a UN arms embargo against South Africa's white supremacist Apartheid regime (remember black people were legally subhuman until the late 1980s in South Africa?!).

Yes, communist East Germany was selling weapons to 'Free / Capitalist South Africa' so it could suppress Mandela's communist African National Congress (ANC) armed insurgency ... to generate money to keep the Socialist dream alive! Ironic but true. Much of Deutschland 86 revolves around the adventures related to selling arms to South Africa and the shenanigans required to circumvent UN sanctions and hoodwink ordinary communist East Germans.

Deutschland 86 is eminently watchable. Not as tightly knit as the first season of Deutschland. Nonetheless, it reveals important insights into the demise of the East Bloc's communist regimes while still entertaining viewers. For social scientists, Deutschland 86 underscores the importance of pragmatism over ideology.

NB: At the time of writing Deutschland 86 is available on Netflix in multiple jurisdictions.

Loved it!

[beatrizmarijuan · 9/10 · 30 November 2018]

The plot was very interesting with lots of twists, good balance of continuity and variation. No one's "good" or "bad", the characters have so much depth. The setting's awesome, really makes you travel in time. A meaningful and adventure-packed talk about history, adventures, feelings and human nature.

Deutschland 89 - Please

[kris-gray · 9/10 · 24 May 2019]

Being married to German woman and speaking some of the language as well I was pleased the German speakers weren't dubbed. We both enjoyed season one as it was set in the town where we live, not that we could recognise it.

We were excited to see a second season and it was just as good as the first. My wife's father was born in the East, before the war that is, he fought in Stalingrad and wounded there. So found himself in the west after the war and stayed there. The rest of his family remained in what was to become East Germany. She told me many stories of what it was like to visit them, her father was arrested once by a family member, undercover Stasi, because he was discussing the price and quality of cigarettes in the West, really.

So a lot of this series was pretty close to what it was like to live in the east. We are both hoping there will be a series around the fall of the wall, there is a fab story there somewhere.

Amazing TV Series

[laurapostolescu-93894 · 10/10 · 19 January 2019]

Deserves so much more exposure! Season 2 moves from Berlin to Africa. Cinematography is amazing and so is the acting. Such a refreshing change from the usual productions. For those complaining that it portraits comunists as the good guys... You're watching a story told from the point of view of the East Germans... duh!

Eight episodes too short

[jamesdeberesford-1 · 9/10 · 9 April 2019]

Deutschland 83 was nostalgic and compelling television but ended perhaps a little too abruptly. Fast forward three years and I've been waiting for Channel 4 to upload episode 11 of Deutschland 86 because for the past two or three weeks I've been convinced I'm in the midst of the series. Then, sadly, the penny dropped. Episode 10 *was* the last episode and there will be no further development of this gripping instalment. Needless to say, I've thoroughly enjoyed. It gets better and better as it goes along and manages to outclass its very classy predecessor. There's been very little talk about it in the media and I don't understand why because for my money it's one of the best things on TV. Give me this over Game of Thrones any day. The reviewer who couldn't get past episode 2 should have tried because the first two episodes are probably the worst. In many senses it's children's television for adults. It's comic book simple but it's poignant and smart and I really like the lens - metaphorically speaking- that the program maker's use to gaze at the 80s. Of course, a somewhat stylized 80s that makes it look much tidier than it was and naturally can't help but be looking at now but all the same authentic enough to give you some idea. A must watch for lovers of alternative TV but may also appeal to those who like Bourne Supremacy and James Bond.

Forgotten fronts of 80s

[chamarahawk · 7/10 · 25 October 2018]

I'm a big fan of the first season and the second caught me offguard at the premier. This time moving further from Europe "Able Archer" ordeal and focusing on much brutal frontline events where the socialist bureaucrats trying to use kolibri to do their proxy dirty work.

A great follow up to 'Deutschland 83'

[Tweekums · 9/10 · 16 May 2019]

Three years have passed since the events of 'Deutschland 83' and a lot has changed; Martin has been shipped off to Angola where he is teaching German to orphans and changes in the Soviet Union mean the German Democratic Republic must fend for itself. This means that the government is desperate to earn foreign currency; even if it means dealing with ideological enemies... such as shipping arms to Apartheid South Africa despite the arms embargo. Martin's aunt, Lenora Rauch, is working in Cape Town working on the plan and utilises Martin; he sabotages the plan and comes up with another that will see them head to Angola and into danger. Events will ultimately take them back to Germany.

I really enjoyed the first series so was pleased to learn that there was to be more; having just finished the second series I can say I enjoyed it as much as the first. It contains plenty of tense moments, some good action, lots of great characters and the all-important nostalgia factor for those who grew up in the 1980s (but not in East Germany). The story includes many real events such as the bombing of a West Berlin disco and the retaliatory strikes on Tripoli by the United States. The series captured the paranoia of living in East Germany and the dangers involved with trying to get out. Surprisingly there are also quite a few amusing moments; the sight of East German officials at a 'Rocky Horror Show' event at the US Embassy was priceless! The cast do a fine job; most notably Jonas Nay, as Martin; Maria Schrader, as Lenora; and Sylvester Groth as Walter Schweppenstette. Overall I'd definitely recommend this to anybody who watched 'Deutschland 83'... I'd advise watching that first as it serves to introduce most of the key characters.

These comments are based on watching the series in German with English subtitles.

Not as good as S1

[jtconno · 7/10 · 24 January 2019]

I have to say I'm disappointed. I fell it was to much removed from S1. Alex's character this season was not utilized enough and story line was shallow in it's attempts to be Nobel. Very few scenes that were intriguing and impacting like S1.

Not as good as S1 but well worth watching

[terrorfirmer-ie · 8/10 · 7 August 2019]

Compared to the first season, it's actually a little disappointing at first - in particular the first few episodes, but it does get better about halfway through and finds its feet well enough....and becomes the familiar show we all know and love.

The Berlin stuff is all good, I found the African parts quite poorly handled and just not very interesting or compelling.

A good portrait of the times, but the plot feels aimless

[paul2001sw-1 · 6/10 · 30 May 2019]

Following the events told in "Deutschland '83", "Deutschland '86" takes us forward another three years. The increasingly bankrupt East German state is willing to more or less anything for money; meanwhile, the various spies we followed in the previous series are still at large, and trying to reconcile their own personal agendas with those of their spymasters. The series, however, is not quite as gripping as its predecessor. It tries to show us the state of the world as it was in 1986; but it's hard to be too interested in the twists of the plot, without an obvious sympathetic actor. Nonetheless, it is interesting to see the late G.D.R. recreated, a world that feels a long way from our own. But I didn't find myself caring overmuch for what actually happened in the story.

Somewhat less interesting than 83, but still good

[BeneCumb · 8/10 · 13 February 2019]

Apparently the script is still realistic and versatile (I have seen a documentary depicting GDR´s suspicious affairs in the theatre of global politics), but as all this is commonly less known and places of action are so far from one another, all this seems more arid and not so smooth.

The performances are still strong, with some additional cast excelling (e.g. Lavinia Wilson), and the hypocricy and absurdity of this society are yet clearly visible. Plus the staging work, background (incl. opening theme) -- all this stylish again.

PS I have read that Deutschland 89 is under way - looking forward to it.

It's another slice of communist Berlin in its final days.

[joebloggscity · 6/10 · 10 April 2019]

Bungling East German politicos and frustrated spies, once more.

More German spy action, as the East Germans continue to bungle their way through what will be their final days. Martin Rauch is the young man who brought back into the melting pot of the disintegrating Berlin political entity who are scrapping around for money.

The real interest is the stories behind the scenes, from gun running to Africa, corrupt West German company collusions, the rising Aids crisis and a 'spy who loved me' storyline too.

What escalates is the literary convenience of Martin Rauch having so much family involved at the top end of the East German political world (his dad, wife and aunt), which is corny but you can live with it here. Storylines are generally good (with some black humour too) but there are some hard watches too especially with respect to that of family attempting to escape East Berlin for the freedom of the west.

As before, it's entertaining, engaging but also educational. A reminder of a world which was really on our door.

It just misses the cut for me, but I still enjoyed it and was engrossed, although the ultimate ending was predicatable enough. Give a go, I'm looking forward to season three which I assume will concentrate on the important fall of the wall.

Still totally unrealistic

[denno · 3/10 · 3 October 2020]

It depicts an unrealistic portrait of the 1980s. If you watch the series you always see the same things. Everybody sleeps with everyone (effortlessly), everyone seems to be bisexual and the main characters not only survive every situation, they also get away with everything. Almost like there are no consequences and they are always the smartest people in the room. The plot has more holes then Swiss cheese and is often riddled with clichés.

Worth a watch

[joannecaven · 9/10 · 16 April 2019]

Watched season one and was intrigued-season two different vibe but equally good! Hope there is more to come

Taking subtitle writing to a new dimension.

[WildCape · 10/10 · 14 July 2019]

Taking subtitle writing to a new dimension. This is a brilliant series. Do watch season 1 first, called Deutschland 83. South Africa, Cape Town and the ANC freedom fighters feature strongly in Deutschland 86. I am not sure if the English subtitles I saw is the standard for all broadcasts (incl. the DStv version), but I really haven't seen anything like it before. The effort, dedication and pure joy that the subtitle writer(s) display show an art form onto itself. I trust it set a new standard for future subtitle writing. 10/10

The divided and the deplorable - a triumph

[themarpleleaf · 8/10 · 21 May 2020]

We've just finished ten episodes of the excellent Deutschland 86, the follow up to 2016's Cold War caper, Deutschland 83. Our hero Martin Rauch starts the series in exile in Angola, teaching German to kids, many of whom are displaced by a proxy war fought by Africans representing manipulative communist and western interests, until he is cornered back into action by his deplorable Aunt Lenora.

There are three great facets to the whole package; the acting, the script and the overall design. Because of the language (it's in German), and the subtitles, I think I study the faces more and the expressions, the upper body leakage. The writing and story structure expertly manages to weave in real events from 1986; Chernobyl, AIDS, the Berlin nightclub bombing and the US retaliation in the bombing of Libya. But it also catches the style of the era very effectively with Mad Men style graphic titles, a sharp eye for punk fashions, especially in West Berlin, as well as big shoulder pads; all of which is complemented by snappy soundtrack, bookended each episode by the English version of Major Tom by Peter Schilling. Poignantly, just a few days after Mark Hollis died, up popped Talk Talk's Such a Shame for the pivotal scene of one of the early African adventures.

This tale is darker, I'd say, than three years previous, where it bordered on Carry on Communism at times. The government of the DDR is even crueller and more corrupt than before. There's certainly no playing it for laughs in how the Stasi treat the Fischer family.

Cynicism abounds and no-one really tells the truth about what they really want and what their purpose is. Everyone's a bit mean, and dishonest at the same time. The ending seems at once both hopeless and desperately sad, the ever presence of a wall that divides families, a people, a country. The hope however is in how their lives play out in Deutschland 89.

Good plot

[yeelihui · 9/10 · 9 November 2018]

Keeps you on suspense but sometimes there can be predictable plot and very slow moving

You have to be patient

[meolson3 · 8/10 · 29 September 2019]

I did not think was going to be as good as D 83, espcially after ep 1. Oh, but then it did...you just need to keep with it, the twists and turns are definitely worthit.

Eh????

[carolebryancb · 3/10 · 17 April 2019]

I'm really not sure what is going on in this series. The whole premise is unfamiliar. '83 had a recognisable plot line and a great sense of tension and intrigue - the fear of Martin getting caught. I don't really care enough about the characters anymore to sympathise or otherwise with the plot line.

A good and mature follow up of Deutschland 83

[DagRos · 8/10 · 1 May 2020]

This is a good follow up of the first season Deutschland 83. A good reminder and time travel to the 80s cold war, ending of both DDR and apartheid regime in South Africa. The storyline can at times appear a bit fragmented and not really clear. But that is not so important.

Of much more importance is, and it is good to be reminded of, the actual situation in the world and East Germany during this period. How DDR did absolutely anything, without any limits, to bring in western currency to the more and more bankrupt DDR state.

The scenes and sets from DDR appear quite realistic. And we get a more nuanced, human and mature picture of the main character and his life. The show is both serious and sometimes dark. Still there is an ongoing sarkasm and humour in how things are portrayed that makes this both a serious and fun and enjoyable watch. Hopefully there will be a season three.

Well spent time

[paypal-57499 · 9/10 · 2 May 2020]

I grew up in the shadow of the Soviet communist era so I clearly remember many of the real incidents that the plot circulates on S2 is sometimes a bit more tricky to follow than S1 so don't doze off while watching this. The acting and cast is superb and the characters are mostly credible. Violence is rare but when it shows up it can be gory. All in all, step into the time machine and enjoy the ride and wish that we never ever go back to that era again :-)

Martin, finder of lost children.

[corrdude · 9/10 · 30 December 2019]

One of these " don't blink" series. Many plot twists that get swallowed whole by the scene immediately following. I hit the rewind a lot. It all made the ending what the writer wanted: tear jerker. The main players pool their chips at the end for a great, heroic moment.

Very Silly

[paul-08264 · 5/10 · 11 August 2021]

Unbelievable plot. Too far fetched. Totally unrealistic events. The scene with Martin and the dentist is very silly. As if that would happen like that. Where's the rug? At the cleaners! Where's the body? A big disappointment after a pretty good 83.

Bad

[jarez-13942 · 1/10 · 9 November 2018]

I watched Season 1 and thought was alright. After the second episode of Season 2 I quit since the show is very lame. The westerns appear quite evil while the communists morally superior and much more ethical, they fight for a just cause and are very humanitarian. I lived under communism and reality is completely opposite. The only thing that would have kept me watching is Dr. Brigitte Winkelmann but could not stomach anymore communist fiction.

Unrealistic and full of lies

[Theo-ZA · 1/10 · 12 August 2022]

Although Deutschland 83 was fair (not great), Deutschland 86 is absolute trash. It is easy to see by whom and when it is made: liberal trash in the 2010's almost 2020.

The image shown of South Africa is so one sided although the words of PW Botha were a prophecy come true. South Africa today live in poverty and fear with constant power loss, hardly enough clean water and few passable roads without potholes.

This is just another attempt by the left wingers of the world to promote their ideas.