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Hitler

Genius Ep. 8 – Doing the Right Thing

June 15, 2017 by J. Alan Sharrer Leave a Comment

(National Geographic/Dusan Martincek)

At the end of the first episode of the National Geographic Channel series Genius, Albert and Elsa Einstein sat across the table from Raymond Geist of the US Embassy in Berlin. A simple visit to get their passports validated became a little more when Geist wanted answers to questions before he would stamp them. The scene sat there, frozen in space as the next six episodes covered Albert’s early years, his romance and failed marriage to Mileva Maric, and his relentless pursuit of the theory of relativity.  In the eighth episode, the viewer returns to the interview table to continue the story.

For the most part, director Ken Biller—the fifth in the series—keeps the action focused at the table as Einstein (Geoffrey Rush) discovers that FBI Director J Edgar Hoover (TR Knight), believes he’s a Communist.  As a result, there will be no entrance to America unless Albert can prove to Geist (Vincent Kartheiser) he’s not. The interview is peppered with various flashbacks, including the notification Einstein won the 1921 Nobel Prize and a talk with Niels Bohr (David Dencik) about Heisenberg’s Uncertainty Principle (no, not that Heisenberg).  In addition, we get to see a bit of the relationship Albert has with his assistant Betty (Charity Wakefield) and how Elsa (Emily Watson) deals with the situation.  Oddly, she allows him to pursue it as long as when she wants something, he responds to her first. The reason for Mileva’s repeated phone calls in the first episode is also discovered when she shows up to a wedding unannounced and tells Albert that his son Eduard (Eugene Simon) had attempted suicide, but wants a visit.  Albert complies and finally gets his son to smile by playing the violin for him.

(National Geographic/Dusan Martincek)

The discussion at the table then turns to Albert’s Jewish roots, where the viewer discovers that he is becoming more and more concerned for his people—especially as Hitler begins to rise in power.  As a result, he fears something will happen to him; this prompts his attempt to move to the US. When Geist asks for Elsa to leave the room, the subject matter shifts to Albert’s faith and science.  Einstein shares that he believed God made the universe; he’s trying to understand how he did it. From here, Albert turns the conversation to Geist’s background and doing the right thing.

In the end, Geist approves the visa, but Hoover denies it.  Elsa then springs into action, throwing Hoover’s quizzing methods under the bus—on the front page of the New York Times.  Hoover freaks out, then has Geist visit the Einsteins and stamp the visas under one condition—that Albert sign a paper claiming he’s not a Communist.

The intrigue in this episode involves doing the right thing.  Geist understood Einstein’s Zionist focus and his concern about the Jewish people in Germany, but had to follow the orders of his boss and deny the visa.  Yet the Bible says, “Do not withhold good from those to whom it is due when it is in your power to act (Proverbs 3:27). As a result, when Albert refuses to sign the paper, he stamps the visas anyway, saying, “There are other ways to be of service.”  Albert then signs to keep Geist from losing his job.  It’s a powerful piece of drama.  Geist (directly or indirectly because of his talk with Albert) helped 50,000 German Jews get out before things got incredibly worse. That’s even more powerful.

The last chapter of Genius will combine the final two episodes and airs Tuesday, June 20 at 9 PM/8 CT. There are bound to be some surprises, so make sure you tune in!

Filed Under: Current Events, Reviews, Television Tagged With: Eduard Einstein, Einstein, Emily Watson, Genius, Geoffrey Rush, Hitler, J Edgar Hoover, Jewish, Ken Biller, Mileva Maric, National Geographic, Niels Bohr, Nobel Prize, Raymond Geist, Zionism

Genius Ep. 1 – Knowing Your Place

April 25, 2017 by J. Alan Sharrer Leave a Comment

(National Geographic/Robert Viglasky)

One of the most lauded advertisements of Super Bowl LI aired immediately after the halftime performance.  In it, a gentleman looks out the window of his study while playing Lady Gaga’s song “Bad Romance.”  It turns out to be Albert Einstein, who sticks out his tongue at the camera once he’s finished playing.  The screen then cuts to black, revealing an upcoming series called Genius airing on the National Geographic Channel.

Genius is a 10-part, fully scripted series chronicling the life of Dr. Einstein as never seen before (the first part airs tonight at 9 PM/8 CT).  I was at the world premiere in Los Angeles last night and had the opportunity to hear from executive directors Brian Grazer and Ron Howard before viewing the first episode.  Grazer noted that Einstein was the earliest modern example of disrupting the status quo and was thus the perfect subject to portray.

Ron Howard speaking before the premiere (ScreenFish/J Alan Sharrer)

The series is based on the work Einstein: His Life and Universe, written by Walter Isaacson.  In the opening episode, broad strokes are painted as Howard intersperses the younger and elder versions of Einstein (played by Johnny Flynn and Academy Award-winner Geoffrey Rush, respectively).  The younger Einstein is a daydreaming free thinker who has an extremely difficult time with school in Munich due to the rote memorization of facts.  His disregard for the systems of the day put him at odds with his teachers and his father. After his parents move to Italy, Einstein stays with the Winteler family in Switzerland for a year before continuing his studies in Zurich (he failed his entrance exam the first time he took it, so there’s hope for the rest of us).

(National Geographic/Dusan Martincek)

The older version of Einstein is wiser, yet extremely stubborn.  While at the University of Heidelberg, the SS begin to make their presence felt in German life.  For those of Jewish heritage, these days are difficult as people are beaten up, assaulted, and in some cases, assassinated. When Einstein is told his name is on a list to be killed, he steadfastly refuses to leave, much to the chagrin of his wife Elsa (Emily Watson).  It takes a series of events involving copies of Mein Kampf and a child’s request for an autograph to change his mind.  But it’s not easy leaving Germany, as the US Embassy wants to know more about his political leanings and refuses him asylum until he talks.

Einstein once said, “Falling in love is not at all the most stupid thing that people do—but gravitation cannot be held responsible for it.” To this end, he is shown to be incredibly smart, a bit reckless, and very attracted to women.  By the end of the first episode, Einstein has been involved with three—Marie Winteler (Shannon Tarbet), Elsa, and his secretary.  Upon his entrance to Zurich, he meets a fourth lady named Mileva Maric (Samantha Colley), who in later years will change Einstein’s life for the better—or worse.

(National Geographic/Robert Viglasky)

As for the first episode, I thought it was quite good.  The camerawork was exquisite, as can be expected with something coming from Ron Howard. The interspersed scenes were a bit jarring and didn’t quite work for me, but that may change since there are still nine episodes left.  I was impressed, however, at the level of detail given to the scenes—it helped to draw me into the story more. There is some CGI used for a few daydream sequences, but they’re used to good effect in explaining some rather difficult mathematical and scientific concepts. The episode is designed for mature audiences due to the romantic interludes and some graphic killings.

It was interesting to watch the struggle the elder Einstein had about leaving Heidelberg due to Hitler’s ascension in power.  After hearing news that his friend was assassinated for his common ancestry, he stayed put.  Even when informed that he was on an extermination list, he stayed.  Could he make a bigger difference for the world where he was? This reminds me of Esther in the Old Testament.  In an oft-quoted verse of Scripture, she was reminded and challenged by Mordecai, “For if you remain silent at this time, relief and deliverance will arise for the Jews from another place and you and your father’s house will perish. And who knows whether you have not attained royalty for such a time as this?” (Esther 4:14 NIV) As a result, she used her position of authority to save her people from extinction via the hands of Haman.  It’s always better to know your place and make a difference there than run away from the tasks God has planned for you to accomplish.

Filed Under: Current Events, Premieres, Reviews, Television Tagged With: Brian Grazer, Einstein, Emily Watson, Esther, Genius, Geoffrey Rush, Haman, Hitler, Johnny Flynn, Lady Gaga, Marie Winteler, Mileva Maric, Mordecai, National Geographic, Premiere, Ron Howard, Samantha Colley, Shannon Tarbet, Walter Isaccson, Zurich

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