The Plot Against America

My dad read Philip Roth's novel "The Plot Against America", depicting a hypothetical version of US history in which aviator - and Jew-hating demagogue - Charles Lindbergh gets elected president, causing the situation to become increasingly hostile for the country's Jewish population.

To my knowledge, Roth didn't intend the novel as any sort of analogy. When the HBO miniseries got announced, a lot of people saw it as an allusion to the current state of affairs. The point is that the moment a leader starts exalting a country's dominant population over the "other", you have fascism.

The miniseries doesn't pound this point in our faces. It's merely a warning about what could happen (is happening?) to the US. Be aware.

Demagoguery that preys on intolerance is not a concept foreign to those who lived in the 20th century, and also the 21st, and it often tiptoes in amongst us before we're aware of it. In relation to other reviews here, the methodical pacing of the series is entirely the point, the characters slotted into largely contrasting points of view as the ground seismically yet almost imperceptibly shifts below them. "Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it" is an old saw, but recycled often for good reason; think it couldn't have happened here? Well crafted, well acted and well paced, anxieties build slowly as this series shines a stylistic but sharp light on precisely how easily it can happen, and how a society allows it to happen.

A lot of Reviewers seem to be complaining about the pace of Series. I have not read the book, I don't know how the series sends but I think the slow pace is precisely the point. If the end is something akin to the "Nazis take over America" by definition it isn't something that would happen quickly. Say what you will about the USA in 1940, while there was antisemitism, hostility to Jews had never reached levels present in Europe or, specifically, Germany prior to the Nazi takeover there. It follows that the build up wouldn't be the same. The changes have to be ordinary enough that most folks wouldn't notice them.

The user review posted is ridiculous and asinine. "Mostly boring with many pointless scenes" ?? Is Siddhartha14 even watching the same miniseries? Every scene is revealing, powerful, and beautifully moves the story and characters forward. Also, the concept is not only riveting but incredibly timely, considering what's going on in the US (and, in fact, much of the western world) at this time. Highly recommended.

The show depicts how Charles Lindberg defeats FDR in the 1940 elections and how a country, in this case the US, can gradually slide into fascism and totalitarism. The show depicts a struggle between America's ideals and racism/bigotry/intolerance and shows is how fragile our liberties and freedoms really are.

The cast is amazing. Every main character seems real and fleshed out. Morgan Spector and Zoe Kazan are brilliant as Herman and Bess. The kid actors are wonderful and every supporting actor is perfectly cast. I really felt like I got a unique perspective into the Jewish community in the 1940s.

The dialogue is engaging and insightful. Characters debate about issues and you feel invested in the arguments. The shows beauty and horror is how the scenarios in these arguments don't remain distant possibilities for long and start to materialize. What the show really excels at is how an atmosphere of uncertainty and dread starts to creep in and it really shows how suddenly you can lose your country.

This show is shot beautifully and it really transports you to the 40s. The lighting is soft and creamy and the color palette really captures the era. The details are meticulous: the costumes, old cars, locations and even pinball machines. I haven't really seen a show shot like this and it feels more like a movie than a mini series.

It seems crazy that we still need to be reminded about equality and human rights in the 21st century. We are all human. We are all created equal. We all have the same rights. Anyone who tries to divide a country and claim otherwise should not be in charge. I will fight for your freedom and I hope you will fight for mine.

I urge you to watch this show. I maybe a more patient viewer but I never felt like the show was moving slowly. The plot moves quickly through time and I felt like almost each scene sets up relevant plot points that are payed off later, just like in the Wire.

I have watched all five episodes so far and I wanted to write a review and recommend the show to others. Can't wait to see how the show continues.