Berlin

While the professor is still planning his not yet famous “money heist”, his brother, already known as “Berlin” [since the chosing of city’s name will happen later, why ??], plans an ambitious heist in Paris. Wonderful jewels from all around the world are about to be stored in a prestigious auction house, well protected in a guarded vault, under the care of the house’s director, François de Polignac. The jewels’ worth amount to 44 M€. Berlin recruits a brain, Damiàn, and four inexperienced apprentices-thieves, young, enthousiastics, fearless, but also careless. However, the main danger will come from Berlin himself, as a decides to fall in love with de Polignac’s wife.

Why it is only half-convincing… Let’s begin with the good parts. The four young characters and their stories are quite good : fresh, cute, full of energy and adrenaline. Would the series have revolved around them, I would probably have liked it much better. There is also a good choice of songs, French or not, and an artistic photography. Finally, the plot about the heist himself is not bad. That’s a pity it doesn’t occupy more place in the series. Romances, flash-back et secondary plots take 2/3 of each episode, at last, and that’s too much (for a series supposed to be about a heist). The heist in itself lasts maybe 20 mn in the fourth episode (on 8), and that’s it ! Same goes for season 2, more focused on romance than anything else…

There are annoying elements too. Mainly, Berlin’s character is sometimes totally creepy, stalking a woman in order to seduce her, hot tempered, manipulative. You can hardly find a quality about him. Thieves are not morality heroes, I get it, but still. I was curious about Berlin’s character, and I am left with unease and disgust. Besides, there are several WTF in the plot, in both seasons. Let’s forget a viper getting out in the (cold) night. The heist is jeopardized because the two oldest thieves decide to have a fight -inside the vault, during the heist- about their respective romantic lives. Really, seriously ? And another “rich” thing : after having spent at least several thousands of euros in equipment (including several cars) and lodging fees, the team takes high risks because of a rented bike. Could they not buy it ? Or steal it, for the matter.

The second season was better because it takes place in Spain, thus avoiding misunderstandings about French culture. But 2 seasons were enough, it’s a good thong it stops there.

2 seasons, 16 episodes (45 mn), 2023-2026, Netflix

WITH :

• Berlin’s team : Pedro Alonso / Berlin, Tristan Ulloan / Damian, Michelle Jenner / Keila, Joel Sanchez / Bruce, Begona Vargas / Cameron, Julio Pena / Roi
• Others : Samantha Siqueiros as Camille (season 1 & 2), season 1 : Julien Paschal as Polignac, Rachel Lascar as Commissaire Lavelle, Najwa Nimri as Alicia Montes, Itziar Ituño as Raquel Murillo, season 2 : Marta Nieto as Genoveva, Inma Cuesta (If it’s Tuesday, it’s murder) as Candela, José Luis Garcia-Pérez as Alvaro Hermoso de Medina