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Kevin Hooks

Genius Ep. 6 – Hitting Rock Bottom

June 1, 2017 by J. Alan Sharrer Leave a Comment

(National Geographic/Dusan Martincek)

One of the key points of conflict thus far on Genius, National Geographic Channel’s 10-part series on Albert Einstein (Tuesdays, 9 PM/ 8 CT), involves his marriage.  It’s obvious that Albert married Mileva mainly for her scientific mind and little more. As a result, the relationship has been spiraling downhill for a few episodes; in the meantime, Albert’s scientific career has been on an upward trajectory. When his cousin Elsa enters the picture as more than just a family relation, it’s only a matter of time before the powder keg of emotions explode.

Director James Hooks (the fourth different director of the series thus far) brings a heavily dialogue-driven perspective to the proceedings.  He begins the sixth episode by setting up Einstein’s plan to confirm that light waves bend as a result of gravity.  Albert (Johnny Flynn) has teamed up with an astronomer who will photograph the upcoming eclipse and gather data to further strengthen his theory of relativity. Problem one: the nearest location to see the full eclipse is Crimea, Russia. Now that he’s moved to Berlin and is a part of the Prussian Academy, Albert has to convince a bunch of skeptical scientists to provide funding for the trip—scientists who are ruffled by his brazen attempts to challenge their previous work. Albert gets some of the money, but Elsa (Gwendolyn Ellis) uses her clout to get the rest.

Problem two: After the trip has departed, German declares war on—you guessed it—Russia. With a load of photographic equipment in tow behind enemy lines, things aren’t going to go well for the members of the team on the train (see below).

(National Geographic/Dusan Martincek)

But there’s another issue—a Serbian scientist has been able to come up with proof that Einstein’s theory doesn’t work as it currently exists. If Einstein publishes the paper with the eclipse data, he’ll likely be discredited.

This is where Einstein’s marriage enters the discussion.  He moved the family to Berlin because he wants to be with Elsa instead—he even tells her, “With you, it’s sunshine.  At home, [it’s always] a cloud of anger.”  But she realizes how scandalous the situation can become unless Mileva (Samantha Colley) is out of the picture.  Mileva finds out, and Albert has to make a decision—one that will have consequences for the rest of his life.

He chooses Elsa, telling Mileva he wants a divorce.  But Mileva refuses to grant it to him.

At this point, Albert becomes even more of a jerk than one can possibly imagine, giving Mileva a written list of demands in order to keep the marriage intact.  They amount to a completely platonic, non-physical relationship—cook, clean, take care of the two kids, and leave him completely alone with his studies.  Surprisingly, she agrees to this.  When she learns of the Serbian’s negation of Einstein’s proof, she tries to tell him, but he cites the written list he wrote her and dismisses her out of hand.

Eventually, the strain is too much, and after she has a one-night stand with the Serbian scientist, Mileva agrees to separate (not divorce—this may play a role in future episodes).  Albert is elated—now he can return to Elsa.  But when he returns home, he finds it empty.  Mileva takes the children to Zurich, leaving Albert—for the first time in the series—completely broken.

Nobody wants to ever hit rock bottom in life.  But there comes a period for most people where just that occurs. What once was is not any more.  Friends have abandoned in a time when they’re needed the most. There’s really nothing left to do but surrender to God and strive to make life changes that last.  It doesn’t mean there won’t be scars, but the end will be better than the alternative.  Jesus talked about this situation in a story about a young guy who took his inheritance, blew it all on the frivolities of life, then found himself in a place where he had to resort to eating pig slop to survive.  Only then did he come to his senses and point his life in the right direction (see Luke 15:11-31).

We’ll have to see if anything arises from the final scene of the episode—Albert Einstein crying, alone, at a train station. Is this really rock bottom, or will things get even worse?

Filed Under: Current Events, Reviews, Television Tagged With: Albert Einstein, Berlin, Crimea, Eclipse, Elsa, Genius, Gwendolyn Ellis, Jesus, Johnny Flynn, Kevin Hooks, marriage, Mileva, National Geographic, prodigal son, Relativity, Rock bottom, Samantha Colley, Serbia, Zurich

Genius Ep. 4 – Priorities, Priorities

May 17, 2017 by J. Alan Sharrer Leave a Comment

(National Geographic/DusanMartincek)

Albert Einstein was one of the most brilliant individuals the world has ever seen.  But as the first three episodes of Genius (Nat Geo, Tuesdays 9 PM/8 CT) have shown, he had many character faults evident to most of the people who knew him.  To cite a few, Einstein was impetuous, irrational, self-absorbed, and had the most difficult time relating to members of the opposite sex. At the end of the third episode, it seems a change may be taking place in his life, as he lets go of his pride and begins work as a patent clerk.

Or has he?

It seems Einstein’s head is occupied with other things while at the office.  He (Johnny Flynn) and Mileva (Samantha Colley) have a healthy baby and they live in a decent place. But Einstein cannot get the science out of his head and constantly thinks of how to get his name out in the academic world. His roommate from Zurich, Michele Besso (Seth Gabel), helps formulate ideas, while Mileva helps him write a series of papers that seemingly generate no interest. But people are looking, including Pierre Lennard (Michael McElhatton) and Max Planck (Ralph Brown).

All is not wine and roses for Einstein, however.  He is so focused on science that he practically ignores his son—and Mileva, to a certain extent. He invites his mom (Helen Monks) to help out at the house, where she promptly tries to convert Mileva into a housewife.  Mileva will have none of that, infuriating mom, who calls her “[Albert’s] librarian and clock.”  Einstein has to step in to that situation and kicks his mother  out. He also has to deal with his former girlfriend Marie Winteler (Shannon Tarbet) when her family experiences a horrible tragedy.

Interspersed within the episode by new director Kevin Hooks are scenes involving Pierre and Marie Curie (Corrado Invernizzi and Klára Issová) as they discover radium. The juxtaposition of the relationships the husbands have with their wives are shocking. When Pierre wins the 1903 Nobel Prize, he says he won’t accept it unless Marie gets it as well. On the other hand, when Einstein discovers the theory of relativity, he thanks Marcel in the paper but not his own wife.  Could this be a foreshadowing to future issues?

(National Geographic/DusanMartincek)

Hooks’ directorial style is a little different than Minkie Spiro’s as he paints a broader picture and isn’t as focused on the intimate portrayals of characters. It’s a bit jarring—and one reason I was concerned when I discovered multiple directors would be part of the production of Genius.  It’s not terrible, however, and as long as there are no more hands in the directorial cookie jar, the series should be okay.

Albert still struggles with priorities—family is a mere existence to him, alluded to by at least one character.  Mileva stays home and helps him while taking care of their son. Only after Marie Winteler’s dad talks to him about focusing on the childhood of his son does Albert begin to spend time with him.  But even then, his scientific mind is spinning wildly.  The book of Ecclesiastes mentions that there is a time for everything under heaven:

“A time to give birth and a time to die;
A time to plant and a time to uproot what is planted.
A time to kill and a time to heal;
A time to tear down and a time to build up.
A time to weep and a time to laugh;
A time to mourn and a time to dance.
A time to throw stones and a time to gather stones;
A time to embrace and a time to shun embracing.
A time to search and a time to give up as lost;
A time to keep and a time to throw away.
A time to tear apart and a time to sew together;
A time to be silent and a time to speak.
A time to love and a time to hate;
A time for war and a time for peace (Eccl 3:2-8 NASB).”

We have to learn to prioritize our lives based on our current situations, striking a balance our families can work within.  Too much focus on work can lead to alienation from friends and family. Too much play (or even laziness) can lead to a loss of finances and added stress on those we love.  Being well-rounded makes everyone around us better.

We’ll just have to see if Albert learns this lesson next week . . .

Filed Under: Current Events, Reviews, Television Tagged With: Corrado Invernizzi, Ecclesiastes, Einstein, Genius, Helen Monks, Johnny Flynn, Kevin Hooks, Klara Issova, Marie Curie, Marie Winteler, Max Planck, Michael McElhatton, Michele Besso, Mileva Maric, Minkie Spiro, National Geographic, Pierre Curie, Pierre Lennard, Ralph Brown, Relativity, Samantha Colley, Seth Gabel

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