1899 (Netflix Series, 2022)
1899 is the new mystery series from showrunners Baran bo Odar and Jantje Friese, also known as the creators of the very successful Netflix-series Dark.
1899 begins with a nightmare like scene that introduces Maura (the excellent Emily Beecham), who appears to be the main character in the large ensemble we get to know later on.
This scene is followed by a credits sequence that features a cover of Jefferson Airplane’s psychedelic classic White Rabbit, which indicates that we are heading down the rabbit hole into Alice in Wonderland territory.
Then it begins. 19 October 1899. We follows the migrant steamship Kerberos on its way from Europe to New York. The passengers are a mixed bag, all of different backgrounds and nationalities, so there are a lot of different languages spoken, which not only leads to misunderstandings, but also to attempts to bridge the gaps between people. As Maura, who happens to be a doctor, proves when she saves a baby’s life by turning it in the mother’s womb.
Soon after, the Kerberos also turns, on its way to hopefully rescue the passengers of another ship, the Prometheus, which went missing a few months earlier.
Up to this point, most of the passengers are united by their hopes and dreams for the new century and their future abroad.
But it is no spoiler to say that whatever is found on board is going to turn their passage to the promised land into a nightmare of Bermuda Triangle style proportions.
There is much to admire here. Directing, cinematography, production design are all really well done. The creators also know how to set up a plot. The question is: can they stick the landing?
The series is getting mixed reviews so far, but based on the first couple of episodes I am intrigued where it will go.