Warning! Spoilers for The Plot Against America ahead!
The story so far: Sandy gets an opportunity from the new Just Folks government program. Rabbi Bengelsdorf’s makes a surprising revelation to Evelyn. A family trip to Washington D.C becomes a nightmare for the Levins. They still manage to find good in the most surprising place. Alvin is selected for an important mission that does not go as planned.
The previous installment of The Plot Against America showed the miniseries was more about family than the state of the country. Obviously, what is happening is a big part of the story – especially Alvin’s arc. But what part three highlighted was what was going on in America was just the backdrop. The show was more about a family and how they are coping with the drastic changes.
This continues as the show crosses the halfway point of its six episode run. The show will be painfully relatable to many as it is filled with family conflict. People in the same house having political differences is nothing out of the ordinary. However, in The Plot Against America, these opinions go so far as to drive the family apart.
This is most evident in a storyline involving Sandy, Evelyn, and Sandy’s parents. These are some of the most powerful moments of the season. Bess and Herman love their son and are worried about his future. Evelyn thinks they are misreading the political climate. For his part, Sandy just sees an opportunity that most kids his age would not pass up. These scenes highlight the family bond while displaying the show’s alternate version of America.
This is the whole point behind The Plot Against America. It is a new time for the country and episode four gives clearer insight into Lindbergh’s personal views. It is a great piece of writing. The show’s history is dramatically different from what really happened, yet the family is what takes center stage. The changes in the country serve as a catalyst for much of what is happening, but the focus is on the Levins. This is a tremendous job of taking an intimate story from the over the top premise.
The performances do an excellent job of keeping the audience riveted to the family story. As more time passes, Morgan Spector does a magnificent job showing the growing frustration of Herman. He is angry about what is happening to his country, but there is also a fear. Spector does not play the character as just another angry man. Zoe Kazan has done amazing work the entire series and her dignified anger in the fourth episode is a highlight. Caleb Malis holds his own and is never seen as just an angry kid.
The Plot Against America continues to top itself with each episode. What first seemed like a cool premise has become an engaging family drama with a unique setting. Strong performances and its ties to modern society make this one of the most enticing shows on television. The show’s parallels to the real sometimes become too scary, but the show is too good to not watch.
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