Simmons' ability to subtly create two such different characters is remarkable and the mark of a consummate actor.

I just wanted to comment that this show hits very close to home for me and could do so for many South Koreans. Some people might be scratching their heads so let me explain. Before a war broke off 68 years ago we were one united nation and after three years of war we were divided into north and south. Most people were divided regardless their ideology, just by their habitat. A seperation that continues even after more than half a century has its effects and what was our common language, our common culture, our common lifestyles have developed differently, and with time the gap between our worlds have widened. This is worsened by the rigid diplomacy and lacking interactions between the two countries. Most people doesn't have a much knowledge of how the 'other half' lives, if they do they would be either people from high up in government or people who has crossed over from the north to south. A lot of this "cold war" style espionage and collaberating agents theme is such a familiar concept used on many films made in South Korea and people crossing over is an ongoing issue for us here in South Korea. I am not saying we are just like the show, because the show has far more depth and layers to be explored on with alternate universe and doppleganagers and other ideas that I can't even speculate on. It maybe a stretch or I maybe am being to personal but some parts of the show just strikes a cord. What would be of us if we had ended the war as one nation? what would be of Germany if they hadn't united in 1990.Oh and the Pandemic! we went through that with M.E.R.S just three years ago!

Counterpart beautifully balances the notion of alternate realities and alternate lives whilst blending in a tale of political espionage. Certainly the framework this tale is built upon is nothing new but it works well because of the quality of storytelling, narrative, acting and directing. This is a thinking persons sci fi. Its intricate, it wants to examine what makes people tick, it wants to know how subtle turns of fate in seemingly comparable societies development can lead to markedly different attitudes and outcomes. its refreshing to see a series of this quality that sensibly uses a mix of European and US actors. A great watch. 8/10 from me.

This could have been way better. But sadly, most of the episodes were a drag. Too many boring scenes where they were just talking about nonsense things and nothing was happening. The acting and actors were okay, it was just the writing. I guess they didn't have enough story for 10 episodes so they had to drag things out. They should have stuck with 5 or 6 episodes instead.