Blog #55 Counterpart Series Review

Counterpart (TV Series 2017-2019) – Backdrops — The Movie Database MDB)

2017 Science Fiction Thriller

Created by Justin Marks

Interesting side note: Different writers and directors for each episode

Dan Forester meets his estranged father in The Tomorrow War

Starring

J.K. Simmons- played Howard Silk and also starred in the Marvel classic Spider-Man (2002) as J. Jonah Jameson, and in the Prime movie The Tomorrow War (2021) as James Forester, among many other roles.

Olivia Williams- played Emily Burton Silk, also starred in Dune: Prophecy 2024 as Reverend Mother Tula Harkonnen, and The Last Days on Mars 2013 as Kim Aldrich.

Olivia Williams as the Reverend Mother in Dune;Prophecy

Harry Lloyd- played Peter Quayle, also starred in Brave New World 2020 as Bernard Marx, and in Legion 2019 as Professor X.

Harry Lloyd as Bernard in Brave New World

Nazanin Boniadi– played Clare (Quayle), also starred in Iron Man 2008 as Amira Ahmed, and Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power 2022 as Bronwyn.

Nazanin Boniadi as Clare holding baby Spenser (Clare Beta and Peter’s) in Counterpart

Betty Gabriel– played Naya Temple, also starred in Upgrade 2018 as Detective Cortez, and in Westworld 2018 as Maling.

James Cromwell-played played Yanek, also starred in Surrogates 2019 as Dr. Lionel Canter and I Robot 2004 as Dr. Alfred Lanning.

James Cromwell as Dr, Lanning’s hologram at the crime scene in I Robot

Composer

Jeff Russo. Also composed for Alien: Earth 2025 and Zero Day 2025.

Country of origin

United States

Original languages

English & German

2 seasons

20 episodes

Production companies

MRC, Studio Babelsberg, Starz Originals

Network

Starz

Release Date

December 10, 2017- February 17, 2019

Where to Watch

Apple TV: rent or buy. Google Play Movies: rent or buy. Prime Video: Must-buy seasons 1 and 2.

Synopsis

A complicated series, well-acted, that starts with Howard Silk, a very mild-mannered man who works at a job he doesn’t understand because it seems nonsensical. His employer is a Berlin-based United Nations agency, the Office of Interchange (OI), which has been in operation for thirty years. Howard is drawn into a secret of this agency involving Berlin and an accident that occurred there in 1987. The result of that accident was the creation of a parallel world, a separate reality that exists alongside our own, and this agency serves as the point of access to it. In his pursuit of a promotion, Howard is suddenly drawn into a spy-versus-spy drama that has already had dire consequences and promises more. Howard meets his double- a man very different from himself. There is anger and finger-pointing at the drastic occurrences that follow the formation of the parallel world. Multiple times, characters say that you can’t get away from the inevitable result of the discovery of this parallel world, especially when people meet their “others”. Howard proves that dictum to be wrong.

Critique

This is one of those shows that was not highly regarded. The ratings were low and certainly never in the top levels. However, it caught on and is now highly regarded. I loved it, fascinating science fiction, very smart. JK Simmons is an exceptional actor who has appeared in numerous television shows and films. I first saw him in Law and Order 1990-when will it end? and The Closer 2005-2012, and admired his work.

Talking to the mysterious Management in Counterpart

This could definitely be considered serious drama. It shows how humans react in this situation, especially when they know about and, heaven forbid, meet their others. In general, while some instances are positive, there are multiple unfavorable outcomes.

Howard (from Alpha world, or the original main character) is so gentle and sweet. He is somewhat frustrated with not advancing in his career at the company. When the action begins, he is catapulted to the top level and tries to hold his principles as danger unfolds. Howard’s counterpart is a savvy spy who can execute impressive maneuvers that are both fascinating and a bit nauseating for poor Alpha Howard.

Clare spying on her other before she steps into that role in Counterpart

I bought the two seasons because I wanted to have them, allowing me the time to understand all the nuances. I rooted for Alpha Howard, especially when the series got into the inner workings and past transgressions of the two worlds. I highly recommend it, but you’ll need quiet, concentrated viewing time to take it all in.

The End

Sources

1. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Counterpart_(TV_series)

2. https://www.themoviedb.org/person/18999-j-k-simmons

3. https://www.themoviedb.org/person/11616-olivia-williams

4. https://www.themoviedb.org/person/205258-harry-lloyd

5. https://www.themoviedb.org/person/142213

6. https://www.themoviedb.org/person/1660452-betty-gabriel

7. https://www.themoviedb.org/person/2505-james-cromwell

8. https://www.themoviedb.org/person/1219207-jeff-russo

9. https://televisionstats.com/s/counterpart

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