‘The Plot Against America’ Season 1, Episode 2 ‘Part 2’ Review: The Election

The Plot Against America did its fair share of creating the atmosphere. Now, it is time to put plot wheels in motion. After introducing the family through which point of view we look through, the attention shifts to the inevitable events. The long-awaited election finally happens as the Levins fear the worst.

On Monday’s episode of The Plot Against America, Charles Lindbergh (Ben Cole) enjoys his journey to the presidency, Alarmed by the news, Herman Levin (Morgan Spector) expresses his disbelief. While Elizabeth Levin (Zoe Kazan) decides to get a job, Alvin Levin (Anthony Boyle) pursues his desire to fight Nazis. At home, Sandy Levin (Caleb Malis) and Philip Levin (Azhy Robertson) live self-absorbed lives.

Back to Work

HBO

Letting the threat of Lindbergh’s presidency keep her from living a normal life is no way to live. With that said, Elizabeth decides to look for a job that would help her and her husband buy a new home for the family. Her supportive sister, Evelyn Finkel (Winona Ryder) even helps her with her job interview look. To her dismay, however, Elizabeth cannot escape politics. As customers ask her about the Lindbergh scarf, Elizabeth could not help but wince while maintaining her saleslady composure. Little did she know that in the next few days, the simple political discussions at home soon meant her family’s survival.

The Levin Men

HBO

There was nothing that could break the bond that the Levins had, save for politics. Herman, a proud Jewish American, hated Lindbergh and everything he stood for. His sons, Sandy and Philip, did not share the same sentiment. To those kids, Lindbergh is an American hero, much like how most Americans perceived him to be. Without politics involved, they seemed like the ideal family. Herman has a decent paying job that lets him make a living and still spend time with his kids. Sandy and Philip were growing up in a decent neighborhood, developing good-natured personalities (for the most part anyway). If it was not for the war and threat of antisemitism, the Levins were the poster family for the average 1940s American household. However, life’s interconnectedness eventually breaches the illusion. The election results are out, and Herman is not a happy man.

Wasted Time

HBO

Alvin’s young mind, fueled by the distressing news about Lindbergh, made him see no sense in preparing for the future. Unless, of course, this future meant taking the war to the Nazis. Presently, Alvin worked as Abe Steinheim’s (Ned Eisenberg) personal driver, thanks to Herman pulling a few strings. However, Alvin did not like working for this dishonest swindler, even with the promise of receiving a college education. Eventually, Alvin follows his guts and leaves for Canada. Once there, the young man enlists in the British Army. Alvin likely did not like the idea of being defenseless if he stayed a civilian Jew.

Lindbergh or War

HBO

Lindbergh’s rise to power is the highlight of the episode. The man does not have that much screen time, but his influence over the majority of Americans is eerily strong. Lindbergh is like a tornado that the Levins desperately try to avoid. The timelapse montage in Herman’s sequence perfectly captures the anxiety likely every Jew in America felt during the time of the elections. Herman’s hopelessness as Lindbergh dominated every form of media was liking watching someone die slowly. The majority of America celebrated the election of their ‘hero.’ Minorities like the Jews, however, now find themselves trapped in a country that they used to call home.

To make things worse for the Jews, Rabbi Lionel Bengelsdorf (John Turturro) rewrites the Lindbergh-hating-Jews narrative. Likely, this Rabbi held much influence over the Jewish-American community. His public declaration of support will eventually cause a divide between the Jews. The Levin family faces yet another divide as Evelyn pursues a relationship with Bengelsdorf. Things are already bad enough for Jewish-Americans. Having a family member directly involved with the cause of a possible Jewish-American civil war puts all odds against them.

‘The Plot Against America’ Season 1, Episode 2 ‘Part Two’ Final Verdict

The Plot Against America makes wise use of its lengthy running time. It enacts a substantial plot laced with stunning visual elements and compelling dialogues. The pace by which the episode runs out is just right. It evokes a sense of the loss of safety for the main characters as well as impending danger for them and their peers. From time to time, it gives snippets of 1940s childhood that gives substance to the Levin children. Each of the characters has a different sense of political ideology, further intensifying the already-complicated plot. At the end of this series, the once complete Levin family will likely end up living lives separately if they even get to live at all.

The Plot Against America continues Monday, March 30th with ‘Part 3’ at 9/8c on HBO.