Helgoland 513

No idea why 2 of the current 3 reviews are so low. They nearly put me off watching this brilliant german show.

The last 2 episodes which are mostly flashback scenes to how it all began are the best of the series and explain everything. Dark humour seeps within the dark politics of this island haven. Excellent characters abound from the power mad Beatrice who runs the island, the obsessed doctor Marek who is trying to find a cure. Fiona the rebellious teenager who was born on the island who wants to burn the entire system to the ground. Even her mother , Lola, who is the island propaganda chief , becomes more interesting after a slightly annoying start.

Ignore the hate, if you are after a great story and some dark humour this is the show for you. Fingers crossed for season 2.

I've used IMDB for a long time only as a visitor because I genuinely felt that the ratings in almost all cases match my views.

But boy was it wrong here. Started the first episode only to kill time but now at episode wondering what is wrong with the ones rating it so badly.

Story is dense, intriguing, acting (except for the island's lady with the camera) is convincing and the dystopian world is great. Not sure what people expect but the only thing I can think of is that people are tired of pandemics. If so, then this is not for you, fair enough. Everything else is really good in my opinion. Give it a go!

What a pleasant surprise ....didn't expect that much from this show but it's so good.

Excellent , believable story which starts off slow and gets more gripping with every episode.

First class acting too with characters you can relate too.

Surprised that someone gave it a 5 but maybe it's just too different for them ?

Not for me and I have just three episodes to go so I'm intrigued to see where this German thriller ends up.

I've seen a few of these futuristic , dystopian dramas which just fade out after a couple of episodes but this one certainly doesn't so as I say it's highly recommended.

Not sure why the scores are so low. Glad it didn't put me off. Helgoland 513 offers a fresh take on the post-apocalyptic genre. Set on a North Sea island, it explores the psychological and societal impacts of a global apocalypse. The series stands out with its thought-provoking themes, dark humor, and unpredictable plot twists. Strong performances by Alexander Fehling, Martina Gedeck, and Antje Traue bring depth to the characters. The music enhances the show's atmosphere, and the flashback episodes provide crucial context. While some questions remain unanswered, this only heightens anticipation for a potential second season.

Helgoland 513 is a gripping and thought-provoking series that feels eerily relevant to our world today. Set in an isolated, dystopian society, it explores themes of survival, power, and morality-issues we can all relate to, especially after experiencing the global pandemic. Just like during COVID-19, the show highlights how quickly people adapt to extreme circumstances and how fear can influence decisions about life and death.

One of the most striking aspects is how easily the community votes to determine someone's fate, reflecting how societies throughout history-and even today-can be swayed by fear, propaganda, and the illusion of democracy. The performances are strong, the setting is hauntingly immersive, and the tension keeps you hooked. While some parts could have been explored more deeply, the overall execution is excellent.

If you enjoy survival dramas with deep social commentary, Helgoland 513 is definitely worth watching. 8/10!