Unorthodox: Season 1, Episode 2 “Part 2” (B+)
This second installment did not disappoint. Flashing back to Esty and Yanky’s wedding set the tone for an hour that examined the most formative moments in their insular life and then how they responded to a whole new world in Berlin. Yanky thinking that he could ask Moische’s smartphone where his wife was because the capabilities of the Internet seemed boundless to him and Esty expecting that eating ham would make her throw up were two entertaining examples of their struggles to acclimate to being somewhere that the rules don’t apply and where consequences don’t necessarily follow deviation from normalcy. Moische really is a despicable character, one who exudes arrogance and a disregard for the principles that most in his community hold dear, happy to use his “business phone” to play games and ready to physically intimidate someone to get what he wants. Yanky, on the other hand, is much gentler, and it seems that he was likely one of the only positive things for Esty to hold on to in Williamsburg. The fact that they went straight to her mother’s house and Esty hasn’t stopped by yet is puzzling, but she may not have realized or been told where her mother lived, and she’s just trying to find her bearings. As an Israeli, Yael is the one who knows where she comes from best, and she’s also not willing to ease her transition, bursting her bubble about her piano performance when everyone else was ready to applaud her. It took me a minute to recognize Yousef Sweid from popular Israeli films such as “The Bubble” and “Tel Aviv on Fire” as Karim, the conductor who has a soft spot for Esty but not for Dasia. I’m looking forward to episodes three and four!
Showing posts with label Part 2. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Part 2. Show all posts
Saturday, April 4, 2020
Thursday, April 2, 2020
Round Two: The Plot Against America
The Plot Against America: Season 1, Episode 2 “Part 2” (B)
In this show’s second episode, I continue to find the overarching story more compelling than most of the personal drama of the Levin family that’s being portrayed. Scenes like Herman and Bess acting out George Burns and Gracie Allen helped to ground this show in the times and demonstrate how families used to interact in the home without technology, and Herman listening intently to reports of the election returns on the radio was another such instance. The friendships and activities of children just aren’t all that interesting, and I’m not sure exactly what’s going on as of yet with Abe Steinheim, who seems to be the token rich and successful Jewish businessman who might end up being the target of negative sentiments as the United States remains neutral and becomes more officially anti-Semitic. What did keep my attention was every scene with John Turturro’s Rabbi Bengelsdorf, who represents a supportive element for Lindbergh’s campaign, rendering his beliefs acceptable on behalf of all Jews. Explaining that Jews don’t feel attachments to the homelands that never welcomed them and mentioned the plight of Jews still living in Europe but dismissing it in favor of “America first” shows how he’s ignoring the overall message of division being preached by Lindbergh (and alluding of course to our current president’s rhetoric) because he wants to appreciate its positive elements. Invoking the translation of the well-known Hebrew prayer “Lo yisa goy,” which speaks of nations not “knowing war anymore” by instead emphasizing that they shall not “train for war” was a powerful way of preaching from the pulpit, one that obviously entranced Winona Ryder’s Evelyn, who has now become quite close to the rabbi.
In this show’s second episode, I continue to find the overarching story more compelling than most of the personal drama of the Levin family that’s being portrayed. Scenes like Herman and Bess acting out George Burns and Gracie Allen helped to ground this show in the times and demonstrate how families used to interact in the home without technology, and Herman listening intently to reports of the election returns on the radio was another such instance. The friendships and activities of children just aren’t all that interesting, and I’m not sure exactly what’s going on as of yet with Abe Steinheim, who seems to be the token rich and successful Jewish businessman who might end up being the target of negative sentiments as the United States remains neutral and becomes more officially anti-Semitic. What did keep my attention was every scene with John Turturro’s Rabbi Bengelsdorf, who represents a supportive element for Lindbergh’s campaign, rendering his beliefs acceptable on behalf of all Jews. Explaining that Jews don’t feel attachments to the homelands that never welcomed them and mentioned the plight of Jews still living in Europe but dismissing it in favor of “America first” shows how he’s ignoring the overall message of division being preached by Lindbergh (and alluding of course to our current president’s rhetoric) because he wants to appreciate its positive elements. Invoking the translation of the well-known Hebrew prayer “Lo yisa goy,” which speaks of nations not “knowing war anymore” by instead emphasizing that they shall not “train for war” was a powerful way of preaching from the pulpit, one that obviously entranced Winona Ryder’s Evelyn, who has now become quite close to the rabbi.
Tuesday, March 31, 2015
Round Two: Bloodline
Bloodline: Season 1, Episode 2 “Part 2” (C)
I checked back in to watch the second episode of this show mostly because, in watching the pilot with my wife, she enjoyed this show a lot more than I did and found it intriguing. This second outing doesn’t inspire much confidence. “Damages” was always frustrating because it offered only a glimpse of the future at the beginning and end of each episode, and while this show does show at least a full scene or two that drops a big bombshell, it still seems like a simple storyline that my wife thinks would be better set for a movie is being stretched unnecessarily out into thirteen episodes. What seems very clear is that Danny was pushed to being the bad person he is by the treatment he receives from his siblings. The revelation that events did happen exactly as he describes them and he had nothing to do with causing his father’s death doesn’t make him a great person but it certainly doesn’t make him the man that his siblings think he is. Regarding the other three siblings, I’m disappointed that all we’re seeing of Linda Cardellini’s Meg is a reliable daughter eager to allay the concerns of her mother but incapable of having any real personality of her own. The same is true to a different extent of Kyle Chandler’s John, since Chandler’s quiet demeanor works well in other contexts but is a bit lackluster here. Norbert Leo Butz is being allowed to be as enthusiastic and frenetic as he wants, making him the show’s star hothead. I’m considering a third go of this show, but I don’t think its pacing or plotting will be compelling enough.
I checked back in to watch the second episode of this show mostly because, in watching the pilot with my wife, she enjoyed this show a lot more than I did and found it intriguing. This second outing doesn’t inspire much confidence. “Damages” was always frustrating because it offered only a glimpse of the future at the beginning and end of each episode, and while this show does show at least a full scene or two that drops a big bombshell, it still seems like a simple storyline that my wife thinks would be better set for a movie is being stretched unnecessarily out into thirteen episodes. What seems very clear is that Danny was pushed to being the bad person he is by the treatment he receives from his siblings. The revelation that events did happen exactly as he describes them and he had nothing to do with causing his father’s death doesn’t make him a great person but it certainly doesn’t make him the man that his siblings think he is. Regarding the other three siblings, I’m disappointed that all we’re seeing of Linda Cardellini’s Meg is a reliable daughter eager to allay the concerns of her mother but incapable of having any real personality of her own. The same is true to a different extent of Kyle Chandler’s John, since Chandler’s quiet demeanor works well in other contexts but is a bit lackluster here. Norbert Leo Butz is being allowed to be as enthusiastic and frenetic as he wants, making him the show’s star hothead. I’m considering a third go of this show, but I don’t think its pacing or plotting will be compelling enough.
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