We begin here with a series of dramatic, dramatic events that speak of wars and a strong stir. The series begins with its various events, as the crew welcomes Greenwood's departure, but their new guest comes as a surprise. Meanwhile, Carla and Simon's relationship continues to evolve. On the other hand, there is an explosion in La Rochelle, which may make the mayor make some very difficult decisions and that seems surprising.
It's gritty and European and there's shocking violence and many a blokey, navy joke that likely wouldn't make the final edit in some series. But it's also well scripted and beautifully filmed.
It's German, anyway, and it's a series, and the first ten minutes of the first episode are up there with the most thrilling depictions of submarine warfare you will see. Although then things slow down a tad.
For all that, if you can forget the original, this is (eventually) a galloping good watch - three episodes in, it improves immensely and one starts to care. But that's a big "if".
Each episode is like a shot of something very illegal to my arm. Played in more than one language, by an international cast, the miracle is, moreover, that it also allows you to feel vaguely hopeful about the future for whole minutes at a time.
Although it takes a bit of getting used to switching between the subtitles for the French and German portions and the smattering of English on display, Das Boot certainly delivers on drama and tension.