In October 1989, the part of the West Berlin borough of Kreuzberg called SO 36, had been largely shut off by the Wall from the rest of the city for 28 years. A lethargic sub-culture of students, artists, bohemians and barflys had flourished among crumbling buildings. Part of that microcosm is barkeeper Frank, semi-formally called 'Herr Lehmann' by friends and patrons. He hangs out drinking, sports utter disregard for anything beyond SO 36 and lazily pursues an affair with cook Katrin. His lifestyle is gradually disturbed, when his parents show up for a visit, things go awry with Katrin and his best friend Karl starts to act strange. Meanwhile, political turmoil mounts on the other side of the Wall.

Grandpa Lörke is preparing for a contemplative, quiet Christmas Eve. But nothing comes of it, because his daughter Anne informs him that his 17-year-old granddaughter has disappeared.

East Berlin, early 1980s: Ludger is hired by the Stasi to spy on the oppositional arts scene in Prenzlauer Berg. But when he falls in love with the mysterious Nathalie, he has to choose between a life as a celebrated underground poet and his career as a Stasi agent. A choice that will turn back on him 30 years later.

Leo the foreign legionnaire, Wilhelm the priest and Charly the brothel owner are unequal brothers. Wilhelm is determined to have Charly's brothel closed down. When Charly kidnaps Wilhelm to his brothel, he recognizes his brother - and promptly pretends to be him. And then Leo comes along as well.

The lives of Paula, Louise, Max, Randolf, and Donnie are completely thrown off track.

After a painful divorce, fashion designer Christina Tolliver quits her job and moves to Dorset. Her new neighbor, the charming forest manager Stephen McDowell, helps Christina move in. Juliet jealously watches as the two grow closer. Stephen was briefly involved with Juliet, the wife of his critically ill employer, Jonathan Pierce. When he finds out about their affair, a momentous argument ensues.

A master painter from Berlin is offered the opportunity to be one of the first to shake hands with the US President and his wife during their upcoming visit. He jumps at the chance, but first has to get his hopelessly dysfunctional family together.