rainbowrites asked:
I'm trying to watch Babylon Berlin but I keep getting INCREDIBLY TENSE. This is because it's set in GERMANY shortly before WWII. As someone very immersed in the Jewish world I'm a LITTLE ON EDGE there. Do they do or say anything about Jews or anti-semitism? The internet says they haven't really, but the novels they're based on apparently really do so I'm confused. I figured I'd go to the source. Help. It's interesting (and gosh so aesthetic) but I can't get fully immersed while I worry about it
Okay my friend what I’m gonna do is just speak on what to expect from the historical timeline we’re looking at, because that’s basic info I feel I can provide, but mostly kick it over to @standuptragicomedy (if you’re willing!) for the emotional read on what the show has directly depicted in this realm, as Ari is a Jewish fan of the show and so someone you should be listening to much more than me on this!
Over in my history lane, what I can tell you is that the first two seasons of Babylon Berlin take place in 1929, and that Hitler will come to power in 1933. But in 1929, the Social Democratic Party is still in (tenuous) control, and while there are definitely people around just kinda waiting to become Nazis, few are really calling themselves by that name yet. That movement is still pretty fringy at this point, though not unheard-of. Perhaps as an analogy, consider a show set in American in 2012—four years before Trump, Obama is still in office, this would not be “a white nationalists show”, but if you’re upholding your historical responsibility you’ll reflect the cultural currents and contexts of that time that are going to lead to a rise in white nationalism and a few years down the line result in the election of a political leader who represents that ideology. This is the line between not downplaying or skirting this worryingly hateful presence but also not unduly prioritizing it that Babylon Berlin is walking, and for me at least, with my non-Jewish perspective, I’ve actually thought before that the way the show has balanced this has been really well done.
But Ari, if you wanted to chime in with your take I’m sure that would be appreciated! – Edit: Ari’s thoughts, thank you!
