'The Plot Against America' Episode 1: Alternate US storyline rings 'a little too close to home', say fans
An alternate history that doesn't seem so alternate. HBO's latest mini-series 'The Plot Against America' shows a world where Franklin Roosevelt loses the elections to Nazi sympathizer Charles Lindbergh.
The story is told through the perspective of the Levin family, and how they struggle to deal with the horrors unfolding around them. Morgan Spector plays the role of Herman Levin, a proud Leftist, while Zoe Kazan essays the role of his dutiful wife Bess.
Their children Philip (Azhy Robertson) and Sandy (Caleb Malis) are trying to grapple with the new reality around them, though Sandy seems to be headed in a different direction.
The first episode was an uneasily quiet one that promises horrors that are yet to befall the Jewish family and their friends. Fans have flooded social media with their reactions, and called it "too close to home". One fan wrote, "This was a great opening episode. Chilling and apropos in the time of #Trump."
Another tweeted, "#ThePlotAgainstAmerica is going on under our noses right now and we have no idea because Americans weren’t taught to be cynical. Pay attention!"
"Watching #ThePlotAgainstAmerica IS A LITTLE TOO ON THE NOSE right now," tweeted a fan.
"As society crumbles, #Westworld reminds us that it’s capitalism’s fault. As a wannabe authoritarian attempts to consolidate power, #ThePlotAgainstAmerica reminds us of what could’ve been," wrote another fan.
One fan wrote, "#ThePlotAgainstAmerica is a masterful display in character-building. When I see Herman and his family, I really care about and fear for them. I watched the episode with my mom and we reminisced about my grandfather, who was born in '21 and worked as a mechanic through school."
Other fans were full of praise for the show. "First episode done. The casting and sets are superb. And the tension...I want to see all of the episodes back-to-back!" tweeted a fan.
Another tweeted, "The premiere of @AoDespair's adaptation of Philip Roth's terrifyingly prescient "#ThePlotAgainstAmerica indicates that the series will be everything one could hope for when one of the great storytellers in TV history takes on the work of one of our greatest novelists."
'The Plot Against America' airs on HBO on Mondays at 9 pm.