'Deutschland 89' Episode 3 Review: Martin and Lenora leave for Frankfurt sitting on time bomb, will they survive?
Spoilers for 'Deutschland 89' Episode 3 titled 'Magic'
Communism and democracy are fighting a bitter battle in Germany. People know very little of it as East Germany and West Germany employ - while others volunteer - their best to gather information. With so much happening, how could the Americans keep themselves away? And the Soviets? Add to this battle these external forces and you have the high tension premise for the final season of the German franchise.
When the series returned with its premiere, East German superspy Martin Rauch (Jonas Nay) was pulled into yet another assignment. Only this time, he is not exactly working for HVA. With the Berlin Fall and the numerous protests going on, many secret services seek to employ Martin and his services. But given the three choices - arrested or killed or hired - Martin makes his best pick. Plus they also say that there is no escaping the secret service - more so in Martin's case during this critical period.
In this final instalment, Martin infiltrates a group of West Germans for the CIA. The operation is, interestingly, managed by Brigitte Winkelmann (Lavinia Wilson). But these Germans are smarter than they had anticipated. In 'Magic', they drug Martin with magic mushrooms sending him on a trippy adventure as they interrogate him.
This sequence adds a much-needed element of respite on the show. Martin has been on the run for quite a while now. When high, he first feels an immense wave of love - all the way back to his childhood - and then follows the bad trip. He is reminded of the many crimes he committed in the name of the cause of the East. Upon realising that he is drugged, Martin tries to salvage the situation, but the drug doesn't really wear off. Not even when the West Germans rope Martin - along with Nicole Zanden (Svenja Jung) and Max (Ari Kurecki) - into travelling with them to Frankfurt. Clearly, the group has some agenda and travel completely prepared, but Martin remains blissfully unaware. Even Brigette couldn't make it in time to stop them from leaving.
Elsewhere though, the news of Lenora's (Maria Schrader) freedom sends shockwaves across HVA. Saved by Rose Seithathi (Florence Kasumba) in the previous episode, Lenora is thrust into an assignment she knows little off upon pressing, she is instructed to approach Fuchs and access a weapons stash. And then it turns out, Lenora is heading to Frankfurt too. Are Martin and Lenora headed towards the same destination? Considering how both of them are headed towards Frankfurt, and Lenora is armed with weapons, what exactly is going to unfold there?
'Deutschland 89' Episode 4 will air today at 12 pm ET/10c on Sundance TV.
