'The Plot Against America' Episode 4: Sandy turns against his own family while Alvin stews in his bitterness
While Charles Lindbergh's insidious policies work their poison through the USA, the chasm widens between the Levin family members. In the latest episode of 'The Plot Against America', Sandy's (Caleb Malis) transformation to a Nazi sympathizer is complete. He has just returned from the 'Just Folks' program in Kentucky, and can't stop telling his friends and family about the great fun he had living on a farm.
"It's the real America", he says. His Aunt Evelyn (Winona Ryder) is undoubtedly thrilled as she has found a new poster boy (literally) for the program, and this could just increase hers and Bengeldorf's chances of breaking into Lindbergh's inner circle. Sandy cannot see any fault with this endorsement, but his parents are fearful and less than pleased. The program is eerily similar to 'Hitler's Youth' in Germany, which indoctrinated young males in Nazi principles.
The tension wafts through the episode and then erupts into a full-blown argument at dinner time between Herman (Morgan Spector) and Bengeldorf. Herman, is mostly on the edge these days and is ready to hit back at anyone who has any allegiance to the fascist ruling the country. Bengeldorf supports the confederacy; Herman has no respect for people who do. With his soft-spoken manner, Bengeldorf's discussion about the 'assimilation of Jews' and 'helping them' raises Herman's hackles further.
Unable to maintain any politeness or civility, Herman leaves no stone unturned in telling Bengeldorf about his actual feelings for Lindbergh and his anti-semitic policies. This conversation is not profoundly impactful, as it just feels like expository dialogues from two stark contrasting perspectives. 'The Plot Against America' is sharpest when it relies on subtlety, rather than frenzied shouting and tension.
Yes, we understand Herman is a staunch patriot and that America is his homeland, but it would be more instructive to see some more layers to his character.
It's not just dealing with his sister-in-law's problematic boyfriend that Herman has to contend with, but his own son Sandy has fallen under Lindbergh's spell. In the pilot, Sandy had shown hints of his admiration by drawing sketches of him, and now he has been endorsing the values and beliefs that Herman is completely against. The unsettling moment of the episode occurs when Sandy shouts at his parents and calls them 'narrow-minded Ghetto Jews'.
This comment earns him a slap across the face from Bess (Zoe Kazan). Yet, a smack solves nothing as the rifts have grown too wide between them.
Meanwhile, what happened to Alvin (Anthony Boyle)? He has returned to Newark, without a leg. He is a broken and defeated man, as he believes that he has failed to leave any impression on the American Jews, people he was willing to give his life for. And so, he has to stay with the Levins and watch Sandy turn into something that he had always fought against.
Philip (Azhy Robertson) is stewing in his own misery, and his mother cannot get through to him. Philip's friend Earl has left the city, and he's now all alone with his now-fatherless friend Seldon.
Albeit slow, this episode was an uncomfortable watch and paves the way for drama in the next two episodes. Life isn't going to get any easier for the Levins, as one of their own is turning against them.
'The Plot Against America' airs on HBO, Mondays at 9 pm.