More people should watch this mystery sci-fi thriller on Prime Video

Aside from The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Powerthere is another show Main video loaded with intricate character work, detailed world building, and beautiful visuals. Both seasons of this show are available on Main video now.

Time to watch Counterpart.

Anyone who has already seen Counterpart understands how flawless the show is. Counterpart looks like a Cold War espionage thriller based on the John Le Carré novel. But no, this Rolex-level precision creation comes from the mind of TV and film writer Justin Marks.

A match is a science fiction a spy thriller that combines these genres with perfect balance. Set in a world obsessed with formality and procedure, Counterpart builds that Christopher Nolan-esque sense of gripping realism. The action takes place in a dystopian Berlin, where a wall separates two very different worlds. This division plays out in each of the conflicting spies, ensuring that every aspect of Counterpart is connected to the central idea and theme.

The fascinating world of Counterpart is seen through the eyes of Howard Silk — played by JK Simmons in nice JK Simmons mode. Silk is a kind, gentle, sad, lonely cog working in a secret bureaucratic organization that guards the wall. He has to follow strict rules every day: walk in, open a briefcase, say a few mysterious lines of code, then walk right out, no questions asked.

If television has taught us anything, it’s that something is about to shatter sweet Silk’s world. When it does, the impact is tear-jerking. You know that by committing to this show, you’re embarking on a long, winding journey.

In case it’s not obvious, this trip is totally worth it. The show’s finale ties up all the major loose ends while also planting seeds for a potential sequel. Counterpart could have lasted more than two seasons, but the show’s original network Starz infamously let it slip through its fingers. The reasons for an eyebrow lift need not be repeated. After all, the 20 episodes you get are so complete that you can play the series. Also, when you come to a show late, the prospect of two seasons is a lot less daunting than, say, eight.

We need to keep talking about the style and look of Counterpart. If you like the code green aesthetic on old PCs, Counterpart is the king of retro-futurism. It is Dismissal before Severance and has some of the best opening titles that are not worth skipping. Actually filmed in Berlin, Counterpart is embossed with crisp, clean lines; it looks just as good as anything on Apple TV Plus.

No matter how much we delve into its labyrinthine sci-fi depths, Counterpart always remains in touch with the identities of its main characters. It’s not hard to invest and care about the innocent Howard, then watch with growing dread as he struggles with dark impulses. Anyone can switch sides in this compelling spy world, made more compelling when the characters’ perceptions are warped by their own insecurities.

Counterpart isn’t just a show to pass the time before more episodes of The Rings of Power come out. It’s a stunning piece of accomplished television, and you should feel great about leaving your viewing time of the most high-minded and picky television in its safe hands.