The Plot Against America 1.4: Close to Home

The Plot Against America 1.4 continued last night with its subtle and not-so-subtle indications of America moving towards a Nazi regime.

In many ways, I found the most chilling indication to be in the subtle category, barely more than a split second in Washington, DC, with President Lindbergh hosting German Nazi Foreign Minister von Ribbentrop.  Rabbi Lionel Bengelsdorf, sucking up to every Lindbergh sympathizer he can find, convinced that the alternate-history President is not an anti-semite, seeks a brief word or two with the President.  Lindbergh barely acknowledges the Rabbi, and walks away.  The only possible meaning of this is that Lindbergh does not want to be seen comfortably conversing with a Jew with such important leaders of the Third Reich around.  Bengelsdorf of course must know this, but he lies to himself and Evelyn and seeks a conversation with the Vice President and cabinet member Henry Ford.  The Rabbi gets not more than a few moments from the VP, and Evelyn gets a dose of invective anti-semitism from Ford.

It's tough to see who is in greater denial, the Rabbi or Evelyn.  After cursing out Ford, in Yiddish my grandmother would have been proud of, Evelyn accepts von Ribbentrop's invitation to dance, and certainly seems to be enjoying the dance.  Maybe she's putting on an act, but the fact that we can't be sure says it all about her and her external acceptance of Lindbergh, bordering on collaboration with the Nazis.

Back in New Jersey, the signs of the Nazi ascension in America are a lot less subtle.  Unsurprisingly in Philip Roth's vision, the FBI is a more-than-willing tool of Lindbergh and his vision.  My late father, shortly after he passed the bar and began to practice law, sought to join the FBI.  They turned him down - because he was Jewish, he always insisted an at least honest FBI guy told him.  I believed him, and still do.

If I'm giving the impression that this series hits close to home, that's exactly what it does.  The Plot Against America is an increasingly powerful piece of television, and more relevant than ever in this age.

See also The Plot Against America 1.1: Yet Another Alternate Nazi History, with Forshpeis ... The Plot Against 1.2: The 33rd President ... The Plot Against America 1.3: Corrosive Anti-Semitism