'Money Heist's Latest Spinoff Has a Pathetic 37% on RT – No Wonder You Didn't Even Know It Existed
The show has lost touch with the original's spirit, prioritizing romantic storylines over dizzying, high-stakes operations.
When Netflix announced the Money Heist spin-off centered on Berlin, fans of the franchise held their breath. The first season received mixed reviews, but we remained hopeful that the creators would learn from their mistakes and make the second season more dynamic.
Now, the second season of Berlin has been released – and, by all accounts, it has gone virtually unnoticed. The spin-off has abandoned any attempt to be a tense crime thriller and has instead transformed into a melodrama with elements of comedy.
What Is 'Berlin' Season 2 About?
Berlin and his team return to their favorite line of work – heists. A close associate named Damián proposes robbing a bank where the wealthy store their valuables. The only problem is that they don't know what's in the safety deposit boxes.
However, Berlin is looking for something more intriguing. At a party in San Sebastián, he meets a captivating duchess who invites him to her Seville mansion.
However, it's a trap: the woman's husband has heard of the thief's expertise and proposes that he steal Leonardo da Vinci's Lady with an Ermine, which is due to arrive in Spain for an exhibition.
In Season 2, 'Berlin' Swaps Heists for Melodrama, Killing the Suspense
The main problem with the second season of Berlin is its loss of genre identity. The series still cannot decide what it wants to be: a story about a master heist or a romantic drama about attractive individuals with emotional baggage.
Compared to Money Heist, the spin-off noticeably lacks the momentum and tension that kept viewers on the edge of their seats from episode to episode.
The action unfolds slowly, many conflicts drag on longer than necessary, and at times, it seems as if the script prioritizes the romantic storylines. The final episodes are better and finally bring back a sense of risk, but viewers may have already lost patience by that point.
Pedro Alonso Is Still the Main Driving Force Behind 'Berlin', but That Is Not Enough
Pedro Alonso remains the project's greatest asset. He carries almost the entire series as Berlin, a character who is simultaneously wildly narcissistic, theatrically grandiose, and charming in his own way. Even when the plot stalls, the character's charisma keeps viewers engaged.
Visually, Berlin is a high-quality product of the streaming era, featuring lavish interiors, striking architecture, and authentic costumes. Yet beneath this polished exterior, the derivative nature of the writing becomes apparent.
The second season clearly attempts to preserve the franchise's signature Spanish emotional intensity. However, at times, the balance between crime thriller and melodrama tips decisively toward the latter.
Ultimately, Berlin is a series that is easier to enjoy when you stop comparing it to Money Heist and avoid overanalyzing the events unfolding on screen.
