Deutschland 83, Deutschland 86 and Deutschland 89

History, drama, and irony in a very entertaining German series

The main characters of “Deutschland 89” (© Sky Original 2020)

The “Deutschland” trilogy (whose three seasons are respectively titled “Deutschland 83”, “Deutschland 86” and “Deutschland 89”) is a Sky Original series that narrates the story of the final phase of the GDR, East Germany, up until the fall of the Berlin Wall.

This is a spy series in which fiction is grafted onto true history.
The protagonist is the young Martin Rauch (played by the very talented Jonas Nay), who has unwillingly become a spy for the HVA (a branch of the Stasi) and who over time will become very good at his job.
In the first season, he is forced to infiltrate the West, where he finds himself involved in a series of dramatic situations and somersaults, but somehow ends up getting out of it.

His story continues three years later in Africa, where, if possible, he manages to complicate his existence even more.
Then comes 1989, which marks the final chapter of his country and will lead to the reunification of Germany. And he is there when the Wall falls.

The historical reconstruction is very accurate in settings, costumes, and even music. The theme song for the series is “Major Tom (Coming Home)” by Peter Schilling, which, if you are old enough, you will recognize immediately.

The subject may seem serious and dramatic, and obviously it is, but the often ironic slant with which this series has been developed, starting from the characters up to the extreme situations they find themselves in, gives it an extra edge that forces you to stay glued to the screen, keeping you in suspense and releasing that tension every now and then with a good laugh.

Besides being entertaining, watching this series is also a good opportunity to brush up on or learn something about recent history, but also to reflect on the parallels with the present, since time passes and ever-different events take place, yet certain mechanisms tend to inexorably repeat themselves.

I’ve watched this series over the years and that’s inevitably meant that I’ve missed some of the details that connect the seasons, especially since it features a number of intertwined stories involving so many different characters (and a lot of names!). For this reason, I recommend you watch it all in a short time.
The trilogy of “Deutschland 83”, “Deutschland 86” and “Deutschland 89” is available on demand on Sky and Now.

Enjoy!