For the first time in like ages this show has done something quite amazing for a German TV show: it doesn't suck.
If you're not familiar with German TV shows you might think "So what?". But if you're familiar with them you probably know that many German shows have at least one of the following problems: there is no adequate budget, the scripts are boring/ridiculous/... and many actors perform like they never visited a drama school. This renders many shows unwatchable if you're used to quality shows from the UK and US.
Now, I won't say this show is perfect, far from it. On the positive side, first comes Mathis Landwehr as Lasko. He may be a bit stiff on the acting side but is a great fighter and IMHO a good choice for the title role. The other cast members are okay. The fighting scenes are pretty spectacular for a TV show, I think they are on the same level as US shows. You can see that the producers have collected a decent budget so they can afford location shooting and some nice looking visual effects. The basic story principle is interesting and has a lot of potential.
Now, on the down side, the most problematic thing are, as usual, the scripts. The basic approach should be a serialized episode form where an overall story arc is established (something is indicated with the Ares organisation but not really elaborated). Instead we get too many "mystery-of-the-week" episodes. Then, even for a genre TV show like this, some things are way too convenient/unbelievable (like the takeover of German air-traffic control). The portrayal of the BKA, like a small incompetent agency where you can come and go as you wish, seems extremely far-fetched. Another crucial thing the show is missing so far is a proper antagonist for the main hero (which should be played by a really good actor, see i.e. Die Hard, Lost etc.). The writers had the chance of establishing not one but two of them (two female mercenaries) in the first episode, but they decided to kill them off. Quintus was going in the right direction but this character was killed too. Some smaller issues which should be fixed are a few of the more obvious visual effects (green screen effects of characters driving in cars) and the absence of a memorable opening theme/sequence.
All in all this show is a decent surprise. I like what I've seen so far and hope the writers will come up with good stories in the future. You should give the show a chance...
If you're not familiar with German TV shows you might think "So what?". But if you're familiar with them you probably know that many German shows have at least one of the following problems: there is no adequate budget, the scripts are boring/ridiculous/... and many actors perform like they never visited a drama school. This renders many shows unwatchable if you're used to quality shows from the UK and US.
Now, I won't say this show is perfect, far from it. On the positive side, first comes Mathis Landwehr as Lasko. He may be a bit stiff on the acting side but is a great fighter and IMHO a good choice for the title role. The other cast members are okay. The fighting scenes are pretty spectacular for a TV show, I think they are on the same level as US shows. You can see that the producers have collected a decent budget so they can afford location shooting and some nice looking visual effects. The basic story principle is interesting and has a lot of potential.
Now, on the down side, the most problematic thing are, as usual, the scripts. The basic approach should be a serialized episode form where an overall story arc is established (something is indicated with the Ares organisation but not really elaborated). Instead we get too many "mystery-of-the-week" episodes. Then, even for a genre TV show like this, some things are way too convenient/unbelievable (like the takeover of German air-traffic control). The portrayal of the BKA, like a small incompetent agency where you can come and go as you wish, seems extremely far-fetched. Another crucial thing the show is missing so far is a proper antagonist for the main hero (which should be played by a really good actor, see i.e. Die Hard, Lost etc.). The writers had the chance of establishing not one but two of them (two female mercenaries) in the first episode, but they decided to kill them off. Quintus was going in the right direction but this character was killed too. Some smaller issues which should be fixed are a few of the more obvious visual effects (green screen effects of characters driving in cars) and the absence of a memorable opening theme/sequence.
All in all this show is a decent surprise. I like what I've seen so far and hope the writers will come up with good stories in the future. You should give the show a chance...
