'The Plot Against America' Episode 3 Review: As Herman struggles to let Sandy go, Bess' fears are compounded
'The Plot Against America' Episode 3 sees Herman (Morgan Spector) adamant about protecting his son Sandy (Caleb Malis) from the evil plans of what it means to be inseminated into a society in the times of fascist rule. What he finds hard to understand is that Sandy needs to make up his own mind about the world and come to terms with how he will be a part of the country that they have chosen as home. The episode centers on this conflict and Bess' (Zoe Kazan) fear of what the future holds for their family. Between her younger son, Philip's nightmares starring Nazis, Herman's constant ranting about what a b*****d Charles Lindbergh is and Sandy's rebellion -- Bess is stuck between a rock and a hard place.
With Lindbergh claiming Adolf Hitler as the man who would stop communism from spreading in America, and meeting with the man to nurture a diplomatic relationship, the Jewish population within the US can do nothing but cower in fear and find back up plans. One of them includes moving to the Dominion of Canada. Bess signs up her family for immigration, and with Alvin serving in the Canadian army, she has a family relationship that would help make the move easier. What she doesn't understand is that Herman is nowhere close to ready to move because he considers America his home.
Yet, he doesn't want his elder son Sandy to be a part of the 'Just Folks' program that Rabbi Lionel Bengelsdorf (John Turturro) has come up with. He sees this program as a way to convert youth to believe in Lindbergh's idea of America and he also worries that his son might be a victim of bullying among other things. So when he puts his foot down, he also ensures that Evelyn Finkel (Wynona Rider) who was the one to put the idea into Sandy's head knows where he stands about the Rabbi, his program and his support for the Lindbergh government.
The vacation to Washington to visit museums and other things is supposed to bring the family together but it initially only aggravates Bess' fear for her family's future. When a random cop offers to direct them to their hotel because Herman doesn't know the route, or when a random tourist guide approaches them and offers his service, Bess fears where they come from and who they are. They could lead her family into trouble anytime and Bess worries constantly. It doesn't help that Herman continues to mouth off about the Lindbergh presidency loudly in public and continues to draw attention to himself and his family.
So Bess argues with him about why he continues to make such scenes. Her constant fear of the unknown is something that Sandy had alluded to earlier when he argued with his father about wanting to be a part of the program. He accused his father of being scared of everything new, everything unknown and everyone that wasn't Jewish and Bess' fear mirrors Sandy's point in spades. Sad is an understatement for what Bess is feeling. Being in constant fear goes beyond sad.
Then we have Philip who is also struggling with his own fears. Since the day Philip saw Britain being bombed in news in the theater he has been having panic attacks, nightmares and now; he is even worried to go to the basement in his house to pick dried clothes. The child fears everything about Hitler because everyone around him fears the fascist ruler and the destruction that he brings forth anywhere he sets foot.
Just when it looks like the noose is tightening around the Levin family, Herman finds a way to make his family happy despite the morbid circumstance. He begins to sing a beautiful song in a restaurant full of guests about falling in love on the banks of a lake in Indiana. He wants to appreciate their guide Taylor from Indiana by doing so and in the process, he helps his entire family lighten up, loosen up and enjoy their vacation. He even allows Sandy to be a part of the program after he informs his son that it is time for Sandy to take his call about the kind of world that they live in.
Now the question remains, is Sandy really headed to a barn full of animals that he can look at and draw or will he find himself trapped in his worst nightmare?
'The Plot Against America' will air on HBO on Mondays at 9 pm ET.