As bad as Lindbergh is, in the earlier episodes you don't get the sense this will end with a "Nazi America." That is certainly the view of folks such as Rabbi Bergensdorf or Herman Levin. Much as they disagree on the virtues of Lindbergh, neither has given up on the country. A viewer could envision a "best case" scenario (or really a "lesser evil" scenario) where Nazis dominate Europe but the western hemisphere sort of functions independently as a place where Jews can still exist. This episode starts to give off hints that such optimism is misplaced.
4 Reviews
Slowish-moving but very atmospheric alternate history of the US in the 40s
jrarichards10 April 2020
Warning: Spoilers
Unfortunately started watching this series on episode 4, so had to fill in certain gaps as best I could. Basically, we are looking at the lives of Jewish people in an America very gradually turning to fascism now that a Hitler-friendly Charles Lindbergh has won the presidency and left FDR out there somewhere in opposition.
Europe fights on, with Canada falling in behind the UK, King and Country, thereby allowing those keen enough to fight to cross the border and join up, as our character here Alvin did, only to lose part of his leg in the process. Some Jewish people here - notably the Rabbi (a very effective if offputting John Turturro) - try to go along with things, feeling it is enough that America stays out of the War and remains prosperous. Alvin (Anthony Boyle) obviously begs to differ, as does Herman (Morgan Spector).
There is plenty of good acting, including from those in youthful parts, and the steady ratcheting of tensions in very authentic- (and mostly in fact pleasing-) looking surroundings is worth plenty for this viewer, who always had a thing for alternative histories. This one's from Philip Roth, who is no slouch when it comes to telling a good story.
I'm intrigued to catch the rest.
Europe fights on, with Canada falling in behind the UK, King and Country, thereby allowing those keen enough to fight to cross the border and join up, as our character here Alvin did, only to lose part of his leg in the process. Some Jewish people here - notably the Rabbi (a very effective if offputting John Turturro) - try to go along with things, feeling it is enough that America stays out of the War and remains prosperous. Alvin (Anthony Boyle) obviously begs to differ, as does Herman (Morgan Spector).
There is plenty of good acting, including from those in youthful parts, and the steady ratcheting of tensions in very authentic- (and mostly in fact pleasing-) looking surroundings is worth plenty for this viewer, who always had a thing for alternative histories. This one's from Philip Roth, who is no slouch when it comes to telling a good story.
I'm intrigued to catch the rest.
a warning
Kirpianuscus7 April 2020
Warning: Spoilers
The main scene is the visit of Rabbi Bergensdorf to the Levins. The clash between Herman and Lionel. The impeccable acting of Morgan Spector and John Turturro. And the status of seed for the story. Episode by episode, you discover the serie more than inspired adaptation of the book but a sort of warning for contemporary reality. Because the temptation is the same, the compromises are not just few and the fears are really alive. And the scene of the incident between couple Bergensdorf and Henry Ford is the main explore of illusion.
Fiction wins the day again
kbrenkb30 January 2021
I understand this is fiction, but the writers have gone far too over the top here.. No child in the 1940's, especially not a Jewish child, spoke to their father that way, not if they wanted a roof over their head. The writers of this show were clearly projecting today's entitled youth into those in the depicted era. At best it's lazy writing, at worst it's complete and utter contempt for the way we used to parent and the respect children returned their parents - but then again in today's age it makes sense that people might have a problem with stern parenting..
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