Berlin Station

:

Season 1
  • Network: MGM+
  • Series Premiere Date: Oct 16, 2016
Season #: 3, 2, 1
Metascore
65

Generally favorable reviews - based on 11 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 7 out of 11
  2. Mixed: 3 out of 11
  3. Negative: 1 out of 11
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Critic Reviews

  1. Reason.com
    Reviewed by: Glenn Garvin
    Oct 15, 2016
    85
    Sometime toward the end of the first episode, the show hits critical mass and turns mesmerizing and addictive. With Showtime's Homeland and its bipolar spook Carrie Mathison AWOL until next year, Berlin Station has a temporary corner on the dysfunctional-spy market. Buy in.
  2. The A.V. Club
    Reviewed by: Danette Chavez
    Oct 14, 2016
    83
    Berlin Station fares better in mining hot-button issues for drama, but it’s still a slow burn. Olen Steinhauer’s put together another spy thriller with a faded template (does the sun ever shine in Germany?) that still has plenty of bright spots in the cast and story.
  3. Los Angeles Times
    Reviewed by: Robert Lloyd
    Oct 17, 2016
    80
    Berlin Station is a tense, terse thriller--good-looking but never fussy, balancing character and plot in satisfying proportions, a new suit cut to classic lines.
  5. The New York Times
    Reviewed by: Mike Hale
    Oct 14, 2016
    80
    It’s the TV show as page-turner, if you have room on your night stand.
  6. Variety
    Reviewed by: Maureen Ryan
    Oct 6, 2016
    80
    Berlin Station is not quite as cerebral as “The Americans” or “Rubicon,” and it occasionally cuts corners in its rush to create narrative momentum, but the Epix series has an outstanding cast that takes its reasonably solid storytelling and raises it a few notches through sheer talent and charisma.
  7. Entertainment Weekly
    Reviewed by: Ray Rahman
    Oct 31, 2016
    75
    Consider it John le Carre fan fiction that le Carre himself might enjoy. [4 Nov 2016, p.57]
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  8. Uncle Barky
    Reviewed by: Ed Bark
    Oct 13, 2016
    75
    Berlin Station so far looks like a series worth riding out, with Jenkins, Armitage, Ifans and Forbes all making strong contributions to the cause.
  9. IndieWire
    Reviewed by: Ben Travers
    Oct 12, 2016
    58
    Alas, the ineffective introduction of characters combined with a general lack of visceral energy drag down the show long enough for viewers to lose interest. Things pick up a bit later on, but it’s not enough to redeem the series.
  10. The Hollywood Reporter
    Reviewed by: Tim Goodman
    Oct 17, 2016
    50
    This is a spy series looking for someone or something to make you care.
  11. Collider
    Reviewed by: Allison Keene
    Oct 11, 2016
    40
    Filmed in Berlin and Spain’s Canary Islands, Berlin Station has the right look and feel of a great spycraft series, but it lacks the drive or urgency of a show like Homeland, or even The Night Manager.
  12. Washington Post
    Reviewed by: Hank Stuever
    Sep 15, 2016
    16
    One of the reasons it’s difficult to keep up is that Berlin Station is boring, as is its central character. As the spy we’re supposed to be rooting for, Armitage might as well be a cardboard cutout.

Awards & Rankings

98
#98 Best TV Season of 2016
94
#94 Most Discussed TV Season of 2016
78
#78 Most Shared TV Season of 2016

User Reviews

All reviews »
User Score
7.1

Generally favorable reviews- based on 47 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 35 out of 47
  2. Mixed: 4 out of 47
  3. Negative: 8 out of 47
  1. hgruber
    Dec 12, 2016
    5
    This review contains spoilers, click full review link to view. The series seems outdated. Characters use dead drops - are they in the 50's?- never observe modern electronic protocols - checking personal phones for malware is a daily MUST. Miller is overall incompetent. As is Station chief -sending a defector back destroys reputation of Station and Agency not to mentioned the defector will be debriefed and whole defector apparatus will be in jeopardy as well as invalidating most of Intel obtained. I understand that character and personal dialogue is emphasized but this level of incompetency is like writing as Auto Racing series and having the cars fuel up with water. Oh , and 200 agents allow a middle age woman and three thugs to kidnap a trained agent in a mall? No snipers in Op or outside? really amateur hour. The acting is pretty good overall regardless. Ifans is brilliant in markedly contrast to Armitage. Whose performance is very stiff or perhaps the intent is to portray a character who has been lobotomized?.… Full Review »
  2. Darawa
    Nov 22, 2016
    7
    i find the plot true to the mindsets as much as the storyline. This work can weigh heavy on a soul, and this depicts this fact as well asi find the plot true to the mindsets as much as the storyline. This work can weigh heavy on a soul, and this depicts this fact as well as shows us the same flaws in humans that are exposed when we are pushed to our limits socially and mentally. Physically it keeps you involved, wanting to step in or speak out, but many overlapping plots and storylines keep you busy trying to calculate the next move or mistake as the business of spying seems to have its fair share of. I highly recommend this series, and hope that it stays true to the roots. Spies, disgruntled citizens, ungrateful press, crooked government hacks, some sexy characters and real life situations that are in our headlines now. Look forward to the rest of the season and new season as well.… Full Review »
  3. Joaniegirl
    Feb 1, 2019
    2
    This show is just ridiculous- started well but each season gets worse. Stupid storyline with poor acting and poor casting. The characters areThis show is just ridiculous- started well but each season gets worse. Stupid storyline with poor acting and poor casting. The characters are very inconsistent with past stories. Could also do without the bad language- totally unnecessary… Full Review »
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