On the lookout for a present on Prime Video laden with intricate character work, detailed world-building and delightful visuals? Do not watch The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Energy.
As a substitute, your time is finest spent watching Counterpart. Each episode of the sci-fi thriller is offered on Prime Video now.
Anybody who’s already seen Counterpart understands how immaculate the present is. Counterpart seems to be like a Chilly Struggle espionage thriller primarily based on a John le Carré novel. However no, this Rolex-level creation of precision comes from the thoughts of TV and movie author Justin Marks.
Counterpart encompasses a stacked ensemble, together with Olivia Williams.
Starz
Counterpart is a sci-fi espionage thriller that melds these genres with good stability. Set in a world obsessive about formalities and procedures, Counterpart builds that Christopher Nolan-esque sense of gripping realism. It is set in a dystopian Berlin the place a wall divides two very totally different worlds. This divide manifests in every one of many conflicted spies, guaranteeing each side of Counterpart is linked to its central concept and theme.
Counterpart’s fascinating world is seen by way of the eyes of Howard Silk — performed by J.Okay. Simmons in good J.Okay. Simmons mode. Silk is a form, mild, unhappy, lonely cog working in a secretive bureaucratic group guarding the wall. He should abide by strict guidelines every day: sign up, open a briefcase, say a couple of mysterious strains of code, then stroll straight out, no questions requested.
If TV has taught us something, it is that one thing is about to blow candy Silk’s world to smithereens. When it does, the influence is eye-watering. You recognize that by committing to this present, you are embarking on a protracted, serpentine journey.
The opening titles are full of gorgeous imagery.
Starz/YouTube/CNET Screenshot
In case it wasn’t apparent, that journey is totally price it. The present’s finale ties up each main free finish, whereas additionally planting seeds for a possible continuation. Counterpart may have gone on for greater than two seasons, however the present’s unique community Starz shamefully let it slip by way of its fingers. The eyebrow-raising causes do not should be repeated. Ultimately, the 20 episodes you do get are so full you are capable of let the sequence go. Plus, if you come to a present late, the prospect of two seasons is far much less intimidating than, say, eight.
We have to hold speaking concerning the type and look of Counterpart. In case you just like the green-code-on-old-chunky-computers aesthetic, Counterpart is the king of retrofuturism. It is Severance earlier than Severance and has a number of the finest opening titles to warrant no skipping. Really shot in Berlin, Counterpart is embossed with crisp, clear strains; it seems to be simply pretty much as good as something on Apple TV Plus.
Irrespective of how far we plunge into its labyrinthine sci-fi depths, Counterpart all the time stays in contact with its predominant characters’ identities. It is not arduous to spend money on and look after harmless Howard, then watch with mounting dread as he wrestles with darkish impulses. Anybody may swap sides on this compelling spy world, made extra fascinating when characters’ perceptions are warped by their very own insecurities.
Counterpart is not only a present to cross the time earlier than extra episodes of The Rings of Energy drop. It is a gorgeous piece of full tv, and it is best to really feel nice about putting your most intellectual, choosy TV viewing time into its secure palms.
