User reviews

Just like Dark, this opener manages to pull you into the world of the show, keeps you glued to the screen, and leaves you wanting more.

The episode introduces to us a ship headed to New York in the year 1899, and it is a moving melting pot because we have English, German, Spanish, French, and possibly Japanese passengers on this ship, and every one of them has their own little stories we're slowly getting to know about. Each of these passengers seems to be running away from something to New York and each of them has secrets and more than they are letting on. There was a ship from the same company that made this main ship, that went missing four months ago named The Prometheus, and it is one of the main topics of conversation between nearly everyone on the ship, and it seems that it's gonna be more important to the plot than we think.

That was the gist of the plot in a way not to spoil anything, even though not much revealing happens in this episode to spoil. But this pilot episode manages to do well what a pilot episode must do; introduces us to the main characters, sets up the tone of the show and gives us a little bit of the plot, and leaves us interested and intrigued to see what happens next.

So we're not yet that familiar with any of the characters, just a bit with the main character Maura Franklin, and we just get a little bit from each "main" character that leaves us with more questions than answers.

I thought the episode was great and the production was top-notch. I already knew it was gonna look great since it's from the creators of Dark and that's the only reason I'm watching it.

The acting from everyone is great and the set design and costumes look impressive too. You can tell they actually made real sets and only used CGI for sea sky backgrounds which looked great too.

The music is also once again noticeably unique and sounds great, Ben Frost is doing a great job again with the new show just like he did with Dark and his music is just something else.

All in all, I thought this pilot did a good job of throwing us into this world and leaving us wanting more. The show is mysterious and suspenseful and has lots of characters with secrets, and I love these kinds of mysterious stories and ways of storytelling, especially in tv show form and especially from the creators of Dark which is one of the best shows ever.

After years of rewatching Dark and being amazed by it's perfection, the new breathtaking series is finally here. Upon watching the first episode I quickly fell in love with the storyline and the actors. I love the fact that there are many foreigners on the ship which means lots of languages. I also adore the soundtracks; they remind me so much of Dark but they sound corrupted. Direction and the scenes are wonderful. Acting is above adequate level but it's too early to be a judge of that. Though I cannot really say there is lot of action that keeps you on the edge of your seat. Same again, it's too early to say anything.

So, summing up, we have

Writing 19.2/20 Direction 19.6/20 Acting 18.6/20 Graphics and Scenes 19/20 Plot and Action 17/20.

93.4/100.

Coming from the minds behind "Dark," my expectations from this show were understandably high; thankfully, the pilot episode manages to live up to the expectations in large part. The signature style of Baran bo Odar and Jantje Friese's "Dark" is present, and, unlike many debut episodes, it doesn't waste time with unnecessary exposition. Emily Beecham's portrayal of Maura Franklin in this episode was the highlight of what seems to be a solid cast. The visual effects and set design were generally high quality, although a few sequences looked cheap, something "Dark" never suffered from. The writing is the episode's strongest suit; it establishes a compelling mystery and dives straight into the story without wasting time. I came away from it with a head full of theories, and if the show is anything like "Dark," you can expect to be engaged in some serious mental gymnastics. This is a show that not only keeps its audience's attention, but also necessitates it. Impressive start!

Rating: 7.8/10 (Impressive)

Okay I really enjoyed this pilot. It was a little cheesey because on a vastly huge ship they got no where near the extras or effects they really needed to simulate how big these ships are. I mean for ships that hold like 1500 passengers there seemed like there was like 100 people on the ship if that.

And I like the multiple languages being used. That makes things interesting. There's a lot going on that they haven't even dipped into yet, and I already read this series is cancelled already and it has only been out for 6 weeks.

What a cheesefest Netflix is to can the show already. So sad.

But I'll be watching the season anyway even tho Netflix has already added this series to their extensive show graveyard of shows cancelled way too soon.

8/10.

I believe that the 'pilot' episodes are for that, giving the first introduction of how it will work, introducing some characters, the setting, some questions and some initial tips. Ended up 8/10 for me, because I think there were a lot of initial questions left, which I hope all get answered and it wasn't just wide to try to create some mystery. That are in fact connected throughout the program. I couldn't get attached to any character so far, and the questions I thought were ok, but nothing much to cheer me up. I'm not so curious about the next episode, but I'm going to watch it soon, but I would easily watch anything else that left me more intrigued, in fact, the soundtrack at times caused tension in me, true to the proposed genre, so that was a big hit.

Coming from the minds behind "Dark," my expectations from this show were understandably high; thankfully, the pilot episode manages to live up to the expectations in large part. The signature style of Baran bo Odar and Jantje Friese's "Dark" is present, and, unlike many debut episodes, it doesn't waste time with unnecessary exposition. Emily Beecham's portrayal of Maura Franklin in this episode was the highlight of what seems to be a solid cast. The visual effects and set design were generally high quality, although a few sequences looked cheap, something "Dark" never suffered from. The writing is the episode's strongest suit; it establishes a compelling mystery and dives straight into the story without wasting time. I came away from it with a head full of theories, and if the show is anything like "Dark," you can expect to be engaged in some serious mental gymnastics. This is a show that not only keeps its audience's attention, but also necessitates it. Impressive start!

It's such a great song but unfortunately it's been overly used in series and movies (too many ones recently) that it loses its value, it has become a cliché; the plot gets mind bending? Let's use "White Rabbit" -- Uuh, no! (Minus one star for that!)

The nice modern cover on the titles should suffice. The use of the original in the ending of the first episode was totally out of place. We're not all 16 y/o!

Decent first episode though, well acted, nicely photographed, had interesting characters and ultimately made me move on the next one immediately, which -hopefully- will not end with the same song again!

The ship to newyork finds an abandoned ship "Prometheus"( I guess choosing this name also might have some links with upcoming story) where lot of things are unfitting and creates the mystery.

The captain and the lady doctor maura establish themselves as the central character and some character arch's are also created through their backstories. Meanwhile other parallel stories also emerge.

It's very difficult for the viewers to judge whether it's a thriller or a horror story but the best thing is story is captivating and keeps you glued to the screen.

Looks like the "dark"makers have made another dark and gritty story . It's gonna be a binge watch of this weekend.

Indeed loved this episode. Within minutes was completely hooked into the world of 1899. The ambience, the atmosphere and overall mood was set. Just loved the set, costumes which reflected the old times. Not to mention about the background which was so eerie and disturbing and gave the exact tempo. Overall establishment of every character and the performance rendered was phenomenal.

Though it lags a little, but it takes time to get accustomed to their world.

There were lot of directors signature touches and an usual song at the end of episode, which gives a perfect kick start to the next episode.

Overall a decent pilot episode, looking forward for remaining episodes.

For me the first episode was neither good or bad. It had a decent intro with some interesting plots that were created but it simply didn't feel really homogeneous as a whole.

The pacing was somehow a problem. To me it seemed that some scenes where extended just to have a long scene with standoffs because that is somehow what people expect from mysterious series nowadays...but yeah that becomes a problem when you just do that for the sake of it and not because it has a real impact.

I'm concerned that the series tries to create a mysterious plot just because nothing is explained and no character tells us what his intensions are.

Well now this might read bad but i'm still interested in the development because of the overall scenario. But standing for itself the episode was kinda mediocre.

With the amount of streaming content available, if a show can't manage to transfix the audience with a 1 hour first episode, then it's bad news. The production design and costumes stood out, the acting is okay but the mystery with it's sense of familiarity (lost ships at sea and space) isn't one that would immediately capture your attention.

An obvious lack of horror tone when there should've been one. I remember how the first episode of Dark gave more than enough to create an interest in the story. The critic reviews speak for themselves and I really hope it improves in the upcoming episodes.

And I can't understand who or what gave this astronomically high ratings. That will create unnecessary expectations.

"1899," the latest creation from Baran bo Odar and Jantje Friese-the minds behind Dark-opens with its first episode, "The Ship," setting a tone of atmospheric mystery and psychological intrigue that immediately immerses the viewer in a richly textured world. The episode introduces the Kerberos, a massive steamship crossing the Atlantic in 1899, carrying a diverse group of European immigrants bound for New York. Each passenger harbors secrets, traumas, and hidden motives, and the ship itself becomes a microcosm of human hopes, fears, and mysteries.

The narrative begins with Maura Franklin, portrayed with compelling depth by Emily Beecham, awakening in a mental institution, struggling to remember her identity and the fate of her brother. This disorienting introduction immediately establishes a psychological tension that permeates the episode. Maura boards the Kerberos, where the atmosphere is thick with unease and suspicion. The ship's passengers include a mélange of nationalities-English, German, Spanish, French, and Chinese-each bringing their own cultural backgrounds and personal stories, enriching the narrative's tapestry and lending it a global dimension rarely seen in period dramas.

The episode excels in its slow-building tension and layered storytelling. The Kerberos is not merely a vessel but a claustrophobic stage where interpersonal dramas unfold against the backdrop of an ominous mystery: the disappearance of the Prometheus, a sister ship that vanished four months earlier. The passengers' conversations reveal their anxieties and hint at supernatural or inexplicable forces at play. The discovery of a mysterious signal from the Prometheus, which appears eerily deserted, escalates the suspense and introduces a haunting enigma that propels the plot forward.

Baran bo Odar's direction is meticulous and atmospheric. The cinematography captures the ship's dark, wood-paneled interiors and fog-shrouded decks with a muted color palette that evokes a sense of timeless dread. The editing maintains a deliberate pace, allowing moments of quiet unease to simmer before erupting into tension. The sound design and Ben Frost's evocative score further heighten the mood, blending period authenticity with an unsettling modern edge.

The performances are a highlight, with Emily Beecham's Maura standing out as a complex protagonist whose vulnerability and determination anchor the narrative. Andreas Pietschmann's portrayal of Captain Eyk Larsen conveys a brooding intensity, hinting at hidden depths and unresolved trauma. The supporting cast, including Clara Rosager, Mathilde Ollivier, and Isabella Wei, bring nuance to their roles, though some characters are only sketched in broad strokes at this early stage.

Narratively, "The Ship" balances character introductions with thematic depth. The episode explores motifs of identity, memory, and the unknown, using the ship as a metaphor for the human psyche-a confined space where secrets surface and realities blur. Symbolism abounds, from the recurring triangle motifs to the enigmatic black pyramid held by a mysterious boy aboard the Prometheus. These elements invite viewers to engage actively with the unfolding mystery, promising a layered and intellectually stimulating experience.

While the episode's deliberate pacing and dense symbolism may challenge some viewers accustomed to more conventional thrillers, these qualities are integral to the show's ambition and style. "The Ship" succeeds in establishing a richly textured world that blends historical drama, psychological thriller, and supernatural mystery. It sets the stage for a series that promises to explore the depths of human consciousness and the boundaries of reality.

"The Ship" is a compelling and atmospheric pilot that showcases the creative vision of Odar and Friese. It introduces a diverse cast of characters and a haunting mystery aboard the Kerberos, combining meticulous production design, strong performances, and philosophical undertones. While it demands patient and attentive viewing, the episode rewards with a richly layered narrative and a mood of suspenseful intrigue. As the opening salvo of 1899, it promises a journey into the unknown that is as intellectually engaging as it is emotionally resonant.

I personally love a good slow burn show but this first episode left me wondering what am I watching? What is this even about other then a travel cruise boat and some tiny hint of supernatural.

I feel theirs the good shows that take their time to unravel but makes use of every minute to tell a story and then you have this show that.. wastes alot of time on showing nothing.

I literally watched this first episode and couldnt remember back anything other then its a cruiseliner ship in 1899 and its set s dark atmosphere for viewers and thats all. Barely anything happened and even if something did it was so insignificant that it didnt catch the viewers attention to leave a lasting impression.

I was really looking forward to this show but I struggled through the first 2 episodes. Who thought it was a good idea for every character to play the same role? Broody, shady, mysterious drip fed background, ulterior motives etc When it changed from one character to the next the only thing that changed was their appearance. Every character was told to talk and act the same way which brought the show to a snail's pace.

It has a good premise but lost me on the poor character writing. Another Netflix show that should have been a tight concise 2 hour movie. Not everything needs to be a dragged out series that "gets better by the 5th episode"...