‘The Plot Against America’ Season 1, Episode 5 ‘Part 5’ Review: Forced

In The Plot Against America,  the threat of Jewish persecution becomes a quick reality. At this point, most Jewish-Americans decide to escape and move to Canada. However, the show’s central focus, the Levin family, isn’t too lucky. Here, they find themselves facing the threat of moving to Kentucky while being a divided family in itself.

On Monday’s episode of The Plot Against America, the Homestead Act forces the Levins to move to Kentucky. As Herman Levin (Morgan Spector) and Elizabeth ‘Bess’ Levin (Zoe Kazan) argue about principles and survival, Philip Levin (Azhy Robertson) faces the consequence of his action. As Sandy Levin (Caleb Malis) remains indifferent, Alvin Levin (Anthony Boyle) gets a semblance of normal life back until FBI Agent Don McCorkle (Lee Tergesen) shows up. Elsewhere, Rabbi Lionel Bengelsdorf (John Turturro) marries Evelyn Finkle (Winona Ryder).

We Go Down Together

HBO

This week’s edition of Levin Brothers Stupidity mainly revolves around Philip. As usual, Sandy remains the asshole he is who doesn’t accept the threat Lindbergh poses. The kid doesn’t respect Herman anymore. Philip, on the other hand, practically damned Seldon Wishnow (Jacob Laval) and his mom, Selma Wishnow (Kristen Sieh) into joining them in Kentucky. Thanks to his previous exploits in downtown, Philip managed to find Evelyn’s office. Once there, he begs Evelyn to take the Wishnows instead. Now, the Wishnows even move out of New Jersey before them. Perhaps to make Seldon feel better, Philip gives him his stamp collection and guiltily walks away when they drove out.

G-Man

HBO

Despite losing a leg, nothing seemed to keep Alvin from returning to his old self. At home, when he arrived, he was quiet and all, but heading out with Shushy Margulis (Steven Maier) did the trick. The FBI Agents snooping around cost him his job at Monty Levin’s (David Krumholtz) business but he quickly found another one. Everything seems to be okay for this young man but reality will soon catch up with him. Alvin’s new boss taking not of his flirting with his daughter will be the least of his problems once those FBI ‘G-Men’ make a move on him.

Living a Fairytale

HBO

These self-righteous idiots dare to enjoy themselves while the rest of the country preyed on their fellow jews. Bengelsdorf presumably paid for the expensive Jewish wedding ceremony he and Evelyn held. One can assume that Bengelsdorf is pretty proud of himself for finding someone as young as Evelyn despite his age. Evelyn, on the other hand, remains blinded by her love for Bengelsdorf to see the bigger picture. The Lindbergh couple declined their invitation but Bengelsdorf and Evelyn were too full of themselves to see that Charles Lindbergh (Ben Cole) is slowly throwing them under the rug, especially after ignoring them during the White House Steak Dinner. It was quite horrific to watch as the crowd assembled at Walter Winchell’s (Billy Carter) got mauled at the same time as Bengelsdorf and Evelyn’s wedding.

Ultimatum

HBO

Like any marriage, Herman and Bess’ isn’t free from problems. Especially given their situation now, their problems go beyond love. Their kids aren’t exactly the brightest when it comes to how they react to what happens around them. Other than their problem with Lindbergh Asskisser Sandy, their inattention to Philip will likely bite back at them. Also, their approach towards fighting for their rights as Jewish-Americans is different. Herman prefers to have a direct approach to the problem. That’s what got him in the riot caused by anti-semites during Winchell’s campaign downtown. Bess, on the other hand, prefers to take the kids and run away to Canada while they still can. While Herman’s stubbornness is understandable, it isn’t a choice a family man would make. He insists that America is his country; but with Lindbergh in office, it isn’t that way anymore.

‘The Plot Against America’ Season 1, Episode 5 ‘Part 5’ Final Verdict

This chapter of The Plot Against America stresses how divided the Levin family has become. Sandy’s time away in Kentucky along with his involvement in Evelyn’s program has him believing Bengelsdorf’s lies. Evelyn sealed the deal with Bengelsdorf so she’s a lost cause, while Philip’s ignorance helped him realize the truth. Ultimately, Alvin’s moral and political alignment is on point, but he only cares for himself. Sooner or later, the Levins are going to have to decide on what to do or face Lindbergh’s Nazi America as enemies of the state.

The Plot Against America continues Monday, April 20th with ‘Part 6’ at 9/8c on HBO.