A Recap of Season 3 of ‘Babylon Berlin’

Written by John Edward Betancourt

Volker Bruch and Liv Lisa Fries as Inspection Gereon Rath and Charlotte Ritter in Season 3 of ‘Babylon Berlin’. (Photo Courtesy of MHz Choice.)

When we last settled in to discuss the phenomenal MHz Choice series, Babylon Berlin, we talked at length about how the series perfected, blending together multiple ideas and concepts into its storytelling. For this remains that rare crime drama that offers up not only engaging cases for Charlotte and Gereon to solve, but it also features amazing character moments and growth, and it is filled to the brim with social commentary and history lessons, and parallels to our own world. Making it a jam-packed series, one that opted for its third season… to refine all of that further. To offer a more enriching experience to say the least and it accomplished that by taking all of those elements to new heights in season three.
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After all, the cases this season were more intricate in nature. But also, equally as engaging and fascinating. Wherein we were treated to matters involving corruption and fallout from the events of season two. The kind that saw a race to try and save lives and uncover all kinds of truth regarding the bubbling threat that lurks beneath the peace in the city via the growing Nazi Regime and we were also treated… to a good old-fashioned mystery involving a cloaked figure known as ‘The Phantom’ and their sour machinations on a movie set funded by old foe of Gereon’s. All of which brought forth intrigue and curiosity and truly showcased how the show had in fact, mastered this kind of storytelling. Because it was all so smooth and refined.

Plus, of course, the character moments were a true delight as always. Since the whole matter with the good doctor was not resolved in a quick and clean manner and left us with plenty to chew upon and of course, Charlotte goes on quite the ride here as well, by making more difficult choices to feed her family. But what truly made this season so interesting, was how much it time it spent in other corners of the world with other characters. Allowing for us to really see life in this era and enjoy unique moments in the process. All of which speaks to mastery of this aspect of the show as well. For only a confident writer’s room can take this kind of risk and shift some of the focus away from its two main characters. Granted, we never lose sight of them here, in fact… we get quite the surprise at the end of the season… but this still speaks to enriched and fulfilling storytelling.

However, it is the historical stuff that also intrigues us deeply when it comes to this tale, and while the Nazi reveal in season two left us curious as to how much more we would see them here… they’re not quite as prominent in this tale. Mainly because this season needed to take the time to showcase one key moment in history that helped the tiny mustache man rise to power. Specifically, Black Monday, 1929. For the crash of the American Stock Market plunged the world’s economy into the Great Depression. Which in turn would bring about unemployment, hunger, and desperation. The kind that would allow for Germany to believe in a tiny little man’s propaganda and screaming, and well… that moment happened here. And we were privy to discussions around it and enjoyed a fine reminder of how the rich prize their money over anything else.

Which perhaps, brought about the least number of parallels to our time we’ve enjoyed to date in this series, save for the scheming from the rich, but that’s okay. For we can celebrate another fascinating season of this show. One that really was just a grand symphony of storytelling. Wherein we were treated to all kinds of incredible moments and incredible interactions, with some unique twists and turns thrown in for good measure. Such as explorations of the occult through the good doctor and more intrigue and understanding of the fragile nature of the time. All of which makes for an enjoyable binge, one that leaves us eager to enjoy more of this period in time and the wondrous people that are fighting without knowledge, against a dark future.

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