Behind the Techno World of 'BEAT'

BEAT dwells into the world of Techno in Berlin's nightlife.

The last and only German TV series that I have ever watched is Netflix's Dark. Which was an incredible show. I am still waiting and excited for the second season. So, this makes 'BEAT' the second German TV series for me.

I have to admit, the only reason I came across watching BEAT was because I had a celebrity crush on the main lead, Jannis Niewöhner (pronounced: Yan-nis Nie-vern-uh). I watched a movie he starred in, a romantic comedy called High Society. Which was a simple-fun and enjoyable film. (Which, is a different topic) Anyway, like every other celebrity crush I had, the next thing to do is to see the acting ability of the actor. Cause, I've had celebrity crush on other actors and was extremely disappointed by how poor their performance was. A pretty face, can't guarantee you talent or even hard work. I expected Jannis, to kinda be... just a pretty face. But I decided to not let my judgement overcloud my impression on him yet, so I decided to watch some of his other works. Including, BEAT. This is my review.

BEAT started off on a slow pace. Which was a disadvantage of the show. The writer took too long to explain and show who BEAT is, what kind of man he is. It's easy to say, the beginning of the series took a lot of effort into explaining BEAT's moral compass, his lifestyle and what he does. For me, it made me despise BEAT for some reason. He's not the best person to be highlighted in a story. When I first watched it, I just feel like, here's another party animal that has no sense of the real world around him. I said that too soon though.

Did I mentioned? The main character's name is BEAT. This series is about him. He is BEAT.

After watching more, I understood Beat's background and why the world of techno was an important part of him. Mainly, I think because he is lost in his own life and in the normal world, it's not common for one to be lost. Everyone knows where they were, who they were and where they're going but in clubs of Berlin, it is the world where it's alright if you're lost because everyone else is. It's where the lost belongs to. No judgments made, everyone is equal. It is where he belongs.

So the story gets twisted when his normal life of snorting coke, partying were interfered with the discovery of two dead bodies hanging on the ceiling of the club he manages with his best friend Paul. In the beginning it was normal. He helped the police with the investigation. Until, the European Secret Service met Beat to recruit him to be an insider for them because the club has became a place where dealers comes in and deal with the new partner, on illegal stuffs. And when I say illegal stuffs, do imagine, the worst possible thing anyone could be dealing for money. Drugs are child's play in this notion and someone will take a fall for it and Beat is the only person that can either prevent it from happening or be a part of the problem.

I did not love the way the story was introduced as much but lucky for those who stood by, the series picked up its pace quite quickly as the issues escalated and everything just went on a good pace for the story.

Beat and Emilia (European Secret Service Agent) dancing in the club of Berlin

I love how the stakes are high for the series. Some series comes up with a problem with so many solutions and it just doesn't make the problem seemed real to me. Like, FREAKING SOLVE THE PROBLEM AND GET ON WITH IT. Beat had to explore different kinds of problems with so much to lose. Beat is put on a platform between life and death literally. This is a man who couldn't get through a day without snorting coke, can't stay sober and there's a lot at stake. For a man who doesn't want to stay sober in a real world, we find Beat trapped in the harshest reality of life that even he never could have thought of. I love how the writer had no mercy for his main character and puts him into these situations that to me, he had no experience in dealing with. But Beat, did what he had to.

The cast and producers of BEAT

The series is rich with character developments divided equally for every characters. As the lead character, Beat showed an enormous development. I started off hating on Beat, but I slowly learn to love this very flawed character who just wants to do good in life and protect the people that he loves. So I find myself in a situation where I despised his character to loving how much he cares for other people in real life. Jannis showcased a wide range of emotions in his character and went crazy with Beat, his performance was phenomenal.

Besides Beat, the main villain Phillip is incredible. His character's development were all about trust. How much he has it in Beat, in people around him. I hate him with my entire heart because, well he did an amazing job at portraying this asshole who is all in for the money. And he's just evil to its cores man. There's no sense of sympathy in him and the twisted thing about him is that he functions like any other people. He's inside the community. Among everyone else and there he was, the devil.

Karoline Herfurth, who played Emilia is a wonderful character. She's strong, resilient and smart. He character is powerful. She plays by her guts and she is as always correct. I love the unique relationship she has with Beat. Nothing romantic but it felt deeper than that. She trust in him and it's all her guts. She's a great figure that helps Jannis although he can be a bit overbearing.

Overall the series is amazing. I love it... SO MUCH. I hope there would be a second season because there's so much more to explore with Beat's character because the season ended with another plot that we have yet to explore.