Netflix's 'Transatlantic’ Episode 3: Even on the darkest day, hope for a better tomorrow lives on
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: All the episodes of Netflix's 'Transatlantic' dropped today, on April 7, and the show has generated a lot of buzz. The story of the period drama is an adaptation of author Julie Orringer's 'The Flight Portfolio,' which focuses on how American journalist Varian Fry assisted prominent European figures such as political philosopher Hannah Arendt, painter Max Ernst, and German novelist Heinrich Mann in escaping to the United States, away from the Nazis who were exterminating Jews in Europe.
Anna Winger and Daniel Hendler created the Netflix limited series, and Stéphanie Chuat, Véronique Reymond, and Mia Meyer directed it. Cory Michael Smith stars as Varian Fry in the show, alongside Gillian Jacobs, Ralph Amoussou, Lucas Englander, Amit Rahav, and others.
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Netflix’s ‘Transatlantic’ Episode 1 shows the plight of the Jews in Vichy France during WWII
Netflix’s 'Transatlantic' Episode 2 shows Varian Fry receiving an unpleasant surprise
Humans always hope for the best
Episode three of the World War II drama depicts how human beings in dire situations can be courageous and willing to fight. Not only that — they also manage to find hope and joy when they are together. In this episode, Max Ernst throws a small surrealist birthday party for the refugees who are afraid of being imprisoned or shot, which serves as an excuse for the people to blow off some steam and relax for a while.
The intense and critical premise of the limited series leaves very little to no time for the audience to imagine that people in danger will have time to take a breath and sit down for a nice meal. However, Max Ernst's attempts to provide some entertainment to the refugees demonstrates that human beings, no matter how dangerous the situation, tend to find a moment to celebrate and embrace the life they've been given by God. They do not lose hope or give up, but instead prepare to fight for what is to come.
During the episode, Varian Fry also gives a brief speech about why he feels compelled to assist artists because, as a child, art was his go-to activity for feeling his best. Varian's lines remind us that great artists are some of the most valuable people in the world. Not all individuals are up to the task of creating art that moves other people to be better human beings, question regressive societal norms or re-evaluate their existence in the way great art always has.