This series takes viewers on a lightning fast trip through German history immediately post WW1. It singles out particular incidents to dramatize and therefore has little depth. The script is poorly written and the producers probably thought that using lavish sets and costumes to increase visual appeal, would prevent viewers from seeing that the series lacks substance. The acting is below average and the choppy editing where scenes seem randomly stitched together, offers little help to the viewer to have any story continuity. Little in the way of context is provided, other than repetitive use of a single flashback. This becomes tiresome as it is overused. Sadly, the series does not improve as it progresses but just gets more mechanical, like a hybrid between a poorly done documentary and a really bad "made for TV series."