We’ve jumped ahead a few months.
It’s now October 1940, and the general election is around the corner.
“Part 2” is largely about fractures.
Credit: Michele K. Short/HBO
It’s an episode that uses the lives of the characters to explore different ideas of identity and ideology.
Herman helps arrange a new job for him, this time driving around the powerful Mr. Steinham.
He’s a ruthless, angry man who feels everyone else is beneath him.
Alvin hears him berating his wife and children.
Alvin sees him as everything that’s wrong with the world: men just taking what they want.
So, Alvin and Herman clash.
Alvin can’t do it.
This is about Steinham, but it’s also about their ongoing argument regarding the election.
Bess and her sister Eve have a more friendly relationship, but they have their own confrontation here too.
Sandy is confused by his father’s hatred of Lindbergh.
He doesn’t have the context that his father has, but that doesn’t matter to a child.
Sandy thinks he’s right, and he’s going to keep drawing Lindbergh.
Eve, who’s supportive of Bengelsdorf, seems put off by his speech at a Lindbergh rally.
She’s not vocalizing any discomfort, but it seems she’s at war with herself.
Things will only get more confounding, and perhaps Alvin is the only one that sees it all.
We’ve heard that argument before.
Again, a familiar feeling.
“We have taken back America,” says Lindbergh after his victory.
The worst is yet to come.
