‘Gaslit’ Episode 1: What went wrong in Martha and John Mitchell's marriage ?
One of the biggest political scandals in American History is getting the prestige TV treatment thanks to 'Gaslit'. The show is also the first time Oscar winners Sean Penn and Julia Roberts have worked together.
In the Starz series, Julia Roberts plays Martha Mitchell, an Arkansan socialite who was married to John Mitchell (Sean Penn), the US attorney general under Richard Nixon, and became a controversial figure after sounding the alarm on the president’s involvement in the Watergate scandal. Episode 1 of 'Gaslit' reveals Martha and John’s strained marriage that revolved around jealousy, ego, and abuse.
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In the pilot episode, titled ‘Will,’ we first see a glimpse of Martha Mitchell when she appears on a game show, and the host introduces her as the “Mouth of the South.” She is described as a fan favorite for her outspoken personality and is one of the most popular people associated with the Nixon administration.
Her husband comes home to find Martha giving yet another interview, which Mitchell had strictly prohibited her from doing. Mitchell kicks Winnie, the reporter, out of their home. Later that night, after getting home from a fundraiser, Martha calls Winnie in the middle of the night. Martha tells her about the protester but then casually mentions a brewing feud between Nixon and Henry Kissinger.
At one point, Mitchell learns of Martha leaking information about the Kissinger feud to the press during a party at their house. The couple gets into a physical altercation. Mitchell snaps and slaps Martha across her face. He tells her to take a breath. She, however, hits him back hard even harder. Martha mocks him as she says, “My momma slaps me harder than that.”
This is followed by a verbal fight where Martha makes it clear that she will not stand behind her husband and follow his orders blindly. She even tells him to get another wife if he wants a silent one. John ridicules Martha and tells her that people don't like her and no one is her friend. He leaves her alone while the camera pans to Martha's face which reflects her sorrow and misery. There is also a poignant scene between Marty(Martha and John’s daughter) and John Dean where the former laments about her parents' relationship crisis. She hints that her father's loyalty toward Nixon has resulted in her parents' marriage breakdown. What will now happen in Martha and John's relationship? Stay tuned to 'Gaslit' to find out.
The first episode of ‘Gaslit’ is available on STARZ.
