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Zurich

Genius Ep. 6 – Hitting Rock Bottom

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(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?

Genius Ep. 2 – Taking Responsiblity

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(National Geographic/Dusan Martincek)

My years in college and graduate school were ones I will always remember.? There were the times where I was thrown into the campus lake for my birthday?without fail.? There were times where I would just sit outside and enjoy nature, not having a care in the world. Of course, there were also times where I found myself stressed out to the breaking point with reading assignments, exams, or relationships. Those years weren?t always the best of times, but the moments of joy and satisfaction far outweighed the moments of despair.? As a result, I began to truly become an adult.

In the second episode of Genius (National Geographic, Tuesdays 9 PM /8 CT), young Albert Einstein (Johnny Flynn) finds himself at Zurich Polytechnic, where he?s attempting to make something of his life. He has an incredible mind, but it can be swayed by the only girl in the class, Mileva Maric (Samantha Colley).? Not only does she have her gender working against her, she also walks with a noticeable limp?one that caused noticeable mockery in her early schooling. But she?s quite smart and her brain intrigues Albert.? Not only that, she has zero interest in guys.? Albert is still in a relationship with Marie Winteler (Shannon Tarbet), but has stopped talking to her completely, noting that she?s too simple-minded to have discussions about math and science with him.

(National Geographic/Dusan Martincek)

The viewer gets to see a different side of Albert when it comes to schooling. He?s not studious and tends to fly by the seat of his pants, showing little regard for authority or academic structure. His professors are incensed, but he keeps passing classes with flying colors.? Mileva doesn?t help matters, as his interest in her seems to cloud his mind.? She pushes away from him, even auditing classes at a school in Germany, but runs into the same issue with being a female?nobody wants her. She returns to Zurich, where Albert admits to her, ?I?m head over heels in love with your mind.?? But what is he to do with Marie?? In the end, somebody is going to get hurt?the question is who and how much.

Ron Howard?s opening episode of Genius took a broad paintbrush approach to the cultural and global events of Einstein?s time. The second part is directed by Minkie Spiro and is significantly less loud and bombastic in nature, focusing on more intimate portrayals of the characters.? I think it works quite effectively?even moreso than the first episode?since the focus is mainly on young Albert?s schooling in Zurich.? Spiro does offer a few glimpses into Mileva?s early childhood, providing much-needed perspective about her personality.? She?s never had it easy?and it doesn?t seem Albert?s going to make it any easier.? I do wish more attention had been placed on Marie, however.
Taking responsibility for one?s actions is an important attribute for a person to have.? Over time, God wants us to slowly begin to put the childish portions of our life aside, replacing them with the maturity that comes from being an adult (see 1 Corinthians 13:11).? At this point in Genius, however, Albert hasn?t completely learned this lesson. Having a brilliant mind is a blessing, but only as it is coupled with appropriate actions. One letter Albert writes near the end of the episode demonstrates this in perfect clarity. It?s simply not our place to go around hurting others; instead, we should care about other people more than ourselves, looking out for them in the same manner (see Philippians 2:3-4).? In this way, we can become both responsible and respected at the same time.

Genius Ep. 1 – Knowing Your Place

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(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.