Deutschland 83 / Deutschland 86 / Deutschland 89: This acclaimed spy thriller trilogy follows a young East German border guard who is sent to West Germany as an undercover spy during the Cold War. The series meticulously reconstructs the political, social, and personal factors driving East-West tensions. Characters constantly seek evidence—through espionage, surveillance, and analysis—to understand motivations and prevent escalation. The narrative emphasizes cause-and-effect and the critical role of information in resolving or escalating conflict.
television
quick thinking
The Apprentice. Contestants are thrown into high-pressure business challenges where quick thinking and immediate action are rewarded. Success often depends on making fast decisions, adapting on the fly, and learning from mistakes, rather than waiting for perfect solutions. The show’s format reinforces the idea that speed and resilience are more valuable than perfection.
Harvey Specter
Suits. In the fast-paced world of corporate law, Harvey Specter and his colleagues frequently make bold, rapid decisions to outmaneuver opponents and seize opportunities. The show emphasizes that waiting for perfect information can mean losing the case or the client, while fast decisions-even if risky-can be corrected or spun to advantage.
Charité
A well-known German television series that illustrates the logic of allowing the nature of a decision to determine its timing-and not succumbing to internal or external pressures-is Charité. Set in Berlin’s renowned Charité hospital during the late 19th and early 20th centuries, the series follows doctors, researchers, and nurses as they navigate medical, ethical, and personal dilemmas.
The show frequently depicts medical professionals taking the time necessary to thoroughly investigate symptoms, conduct research, and debate the best course of treatment, even when under pressure from hospital administration or societal expectations. Major decisions-such as adopting new treatments, responding to epidemics, or balancing innovation with patient safety-are portrayed as requiring patience, rigorous analysis, and collective deliberation.
The narrative often contrasts the careful, methodical approach of the Charité staff with the urgency of external crises, highlighting the belief that good outcomes depend on resisting haste and respecting the complexity of each decision. Charité exemplifies the German cultural value that patience and thoughtful timing are essential for sound decision-making, especially when the stakes are high and external pressures are strong.
Deutschland 83
This award-winning spy thriller follows a young East German soldier recruited as a spy in West Germany during the Cold War. The series highlights the slow, strategic nature of intelligence work, where decisions are made only after extensive analysis, weighing risks, and considering long-term consequences rather than yielding to immediate political or military pressures.
Miss Merkel
In this crime series, a fictionalized Angela Merkel solves mysteries with the same patience and methodical questioning she was known for as chancellor. The show highlights her tendency to “wear down” suspects with persistent, careful interrogation, mirroring her real-life approach to political negotiations, where she was famous for her endurance and refusal to be rushed.
career trajectories
Mad Men. Context: Follows the lives of advertising executives in 1960s New York. Illustration: Feedback on creative work is highly personal, often delivered in emotionally charged meetings. Characters’ self-esteem and career trajectories are closely linked to the praise or criticism they receive from superiors and clients.
Leslie Knope
Parks and Recreation. Context: Centers on the Parks Department of a small town. Illustration: Leslie Knope, the main character, gives and receives feedback that is always considerate of feelings and personal growth. The show highlights how encouragement, recognition, and even constructive criticism are tailored to the individual, reinforcing bonds and motivation.
Captain Holt
Brooklyn Nine-Nine. Context: Police procedural comedy. Illustration: Captain Holt’s feedback, while often deadpan, is ultimately personal and supportive, and the show frequently explores how praise, criticism, and mentorship affect the officers’ confidence and relationships.