'The Plot Against America' Episode 5: Bess' energy hits home while Herman Levin pays price for his obstinacy
The facade that America is a home for the Jews is wearing off rapidly in 'The Plot Against America'. After separating the Jewish youth from their homes, the quietly insidious 'Just Folks' program decides to step it up a notch. The new legislation, termed 'Homestead 42', requires companies who employ a large number of Jews, to transfer them to rural America.
Rabbi Bengelsdorf (John Turturo) insists that this is for their benefit, as they will be 'absorbed into the mainstream', something that Bess (Zoe Kazan) and Herman Levin (Morgan Spector) vehemently disagree with. They see the purpose of the program for what it really is: Removing Jews from their communities and assimilating them forcefully into American culture.
Evelyn, who gets married to the Rabbi in this episode, asks for the Levins to be sent away to Danville, Kentucky as it 'will be good for them'. Unlike her hot-headed and angry husband, Bess has a controlled and chillingly polite conversation with the Rabbi, which has more impact than the shouting match in the previous episode. He finally reveals the truth behind their shift.
The reasons behind this move are aplenty. To start with, the family is already in trouble with the FBI for hosting Alvin (Anthony Boyle), who is now infamous for his defection. Nothing came from his haphazard plan of fighting for his people, as he lost his leg in the war and was sent back.
Hell, Herman is not going to back down, and his stubbornness and obstinacy get the better of him in this episode. He quits his company and decides to take up a job at his brother's manual warehouse. Unfortunately, this decision leads to Philip's (Azhy Robertson) close friend Seldon and his family being sent off to rural Kentucky.
The star of this episode is Bess, who finally puts her foot down. Thankfully, her laundry-folding and dinner-making rituals are relegated to the sidelines for a bit (though she still manages a fair amount of it). She makes Herman realize that his hard-headedness could result in him losing the thing he values most: His family. She's had enough of the brewing discomfort in the country, her son's uncivil behavior and her husband not ready to listen to a word of advice.
After Herman goes for the rally of his favorite Anti-Fascist personality Walter Winchell and comes back bruised because Charles Lindbergh supporters come and beat people up while the police look the other way, she gives him an ultimatum. If this continues, she will leave with the children to Canada. This burst of energy has come a little late in the show, as there's only one episode left, but nevertheless, it's here, and hopefully to stay.
This was a more exciting episode and carefully etched out the hateful politics in the country, as well as the fraying relationships in the Levin family. It is a painful reminder of how Fascism is so well-packaged that millions cannot see through disturbing government policies and will do anything to argue that it's all for the 'greater good'. The show highlights this cool complacency in the face of a raging fire that will burn their lives down.
'The Plot Against America' is streaming on HBO.