'Deutschland 89' Episode 6 Review: Changing political times is hard on HVA agents as Lenora takes radical steps
Spoilers for 'Deutschland 89' Episode 6 'Quando Ti Guardo'
Towards the end of 'Deutschland 89' Episode 6, Martin and Lenora Rauch (Jonas Nay and Maria Schrader) sit down to finally have a confrontation. The last time they were together, they were at each others' necks. Even now, just after the Berlin Fall amidst the ensuing chaos around them, they are short of killing each other - but restrained in the face of bigger tensions.
Lenora has a proposal for Martin - one that will be the end of the two of them and they can finally retire. Martin had known all along that his aunt was planning something big to keep capitalism out of Germany, but hadn't a clue. She tells him about the plan to assassinate Helmut Kohl. The death of the member of the Christian Democratic Union and the Chancellor of West Germany will give people the much-needed time to breathe and think about the cons of democracy. According to Lenora, capitalism and democracy together will bring a divide among people so big that only a massive war can prevent it. Kohl's assassination will avoid this altogether, she tells Martin.
'Quando Ti Guardo' is a strong episode that shows a crumbling East Germany that takes down all its allies with itself. But more importantly, it depicts the contrast in old and new ideals. Characters like Lenora and the HVA are all against the unification of Germany - all abiding by the old values inculcated in them. This group includes Walter Schweppenstette (Sylvester Groth), Barbara Dietrich (Anke Engelke), and lastly Markus Fuchs (Uwe Preuss). The comrades are not going to resign without a hard try as even Schweppenstette works on his assignment and Dietrich and Fuchs begin HVA in exile in Italy. And on the other hand, there is Martin, who says he wants both sides to crumble and give rise to something new - a fresh, peaceful start. But time and again he is reminded that spies have little options.
Set on sunny Italian coasts, Episode 6 is a wonderful display of changing times and the chaos and unrest it brings in tow. Lenora's latest plans threaten the very foundations of Germany as it stood back then, and hovered over the future like a bad omen. The "psychopath" must be stopped before she takes it too far, and Martin vows to do so. She likes to pretend that she knows what is in best interests for the people but Lenora doesn't speak for the future, the youth. These changing times invalidate her idea of her country and she won't take it.
'Deutschland 89' will air two episodes back to back on Thursdays at 11 pm ET/10c on Sundance TV. The final installment of the series - and the franchise - will be airing next week. And with that, will be the end of Martin Rauch's chapter.