Titles matter, but for the life of me, I have no inkling of why American Classic Season 1 Episode 5 is called “Schicklgruber,” beyond Richard’s use of Hitler’s family name as part of his cover-up story for how he’s financing the Our Town production.
No one’s ever accused Richard Bean of being an intellectual mastermind. I suspect he’s only middling skilled at improv.
His pivots are slow and awkward, although he’s committed to the “Yes, and…” principle, which only makes his already-convoluted situations more complicated.
And he really has the worst timing when it comes to honesty.
While pulling the plug on Nadia’s dreams of performing probably means Boyle’s going to call in the loan on the theater, it DOES open up a role for Kristen, which is what we were all thinking, wasn’t it?
American Classic, “Schicklgruber”
Meanwhile, yet another Bean falls to Boyle’s jaunty temptation.
Jon’s drunken financial ruin was probably the plan all along when Satan Himself invited him to Atlantic City. The would-be chef could be cooked. If not by Boyle, then by Kristen when she finds out.
To be fair, Kristen’s a bit distracted with the news that Miranda’s turning down her acceptance to Penn State in order to go to New York to act. Richard arranging an internship isn’t helping her blood pressure, that’s for darned sure.
And Miranda’s burning all sorts of bridges now that she’s actually in a show and doing the thing she feels she was born to do. “Mirandall” didn’t stand a chance.
The only Bean feeling at ease is Linus, although he looked a little trepidatious about coming out to the cast. However, he’s in his element, back in a show, and if he’s really got The Narrator’s lines hard-wired in his head, he’ll be a star again.
The Circle of Trust
Richard’s vision for Our Town feels two parts ego and one part nostalgia. Turning the bare bones classic production into an opulent spectacle seems par for the course for him.
The conceit of Thornton Wilder’s Our Town is that the life of the village shines as brightly as the stars, without set or props or special effects. It’s the mundane things that make life precious.
The conceit of Richard’s production is, well, conceit.
He wants the production to emblazon itself on everyone’s memory who sees it. He doesn’t trust the script and acting to convey the story’s depth, needing visuals and textures, gimmicks and espresso machines.
Hugo’s there to make it happen. He also appears to be the only person who knows who Richard’s “angel” is. Hugo’s one to watch. He’s privy to a lot of secrets and slippery shenanigans.
Real People Being Real People
Inviting non-actors who live and work together IRL to share in a Circle of Trust without setting parameters for their disclosures was a massive miscalculation.
Setting aside the troubling marital woes of the Pat Pattersons, Randall’s violent reaction to Heath’s friendly overtures toward and professional focus on Miranda belies serious insecurity.
The question might be whether Randall is Miranda’s anchor, steady and grounding, or Miranda’s anchor, dragging her down and holding her back. (Nice callback to Xander’s NYT review of King Lear from American Classic Season 1 Episode 1.)
And Miranda is clearly ready to fly. The confrontation with her mother has been brewing for a while. Her blow-up with Randall didn’t come out of nowhere either.
Richard’s return to Millersburg triggered something in her, and having someone like Heath — hot, talented, and with his Equity card — in the show with her stokes a flame she can’t deny.
Two things of note from the cast rehearsals. First, Richard arranging the internship and offering it to Miranda is possibly the only spontaneously selfless thing he’s done so far on American Classic, possibly in his life.
Second, Nadia’s enthusiastic but misguided interpretation of Richard’s directions overflows the banks of caricature and crosses the line into buffoonery.
Her thick accent is another callback to the series premiere when Polly comments on the actress playing Goneril in King Lear having a noticeable Norwegian accent.
The simple fact is, if Boyle has enough money to buy Nadia’s role on the show, he has enough to hire a dialect coach to train her to speak like a Grover’s Corner native.
Easy Come, Easy Go
It’s quite remarkable how well American Classic Season 1 Episode 5 handles its various plotlines. In a mere 35 minutes, Miranda cuts her ties with all of Kristen’s plans for her future, Jon blows up their finances, and Richard sinks the ship.
In the background, the cast is gearing up for all sorts of backstage drama. And then, after an afternoon of ganging up on their mutual ex, Polly drops a proper emotional truth bomb on Kristen: Richard never stopped loving her.
Polly: Well, I guess I just don’t like playing second fiddle.
Kristen: Yeah, I know. The career. The fans. The mirror.
Polly: No, darling, I was fine with all of that. Second fiddle to you. You were the great love of his life. I was just someone to drink with.
It’s always the little things that will surprise you. (Well, Jon gambling them into a deep well of debt isn’t little. And it’ll surprise them all, for sure.)
But it’s the micro-expressions on Laura Linney‘s face as she lets Kristen process Polly’s words that steal the scene.
The acting on American Classic is of such a high caliber that the wordless moments pack so much more meaning than any of the speeches.
Done Playing Games
Kristen tells Richard in one of those seemingly throwaway moments that are actually incredibly telling that she doesn’t miss the theater games directors use to get a cast to gel.
The irony, of course, is that Richard’s use of theater games will probably cause his cast to implode. But Kristen’s dislike of the exercises signifies something more.
She seals herself off from the risky honesty and emotional vulnerability because she was so badly hurt when she let herself be open to that world and Richard.
It’s a hurt she wants to protect Miranda from without ever sharing why. And unless she can crack her own shell and be honest with her daughter, she’s doomed to watch helplessly as Miranda leaves her behind.
It’s time to take a breath as American Classic Season 1 braces for its most dramatic confrontation yet. With Nadia out of the show, Jon out of money, and Miranda out of patience, what happens next?
Will Boyle prove to be the Devil Himself? Can Richard save the show, the town, and his family? How long will Hugo and Polly stick around if it all falls apart?
Hit our comments with your thoughts and theories on whether the show will go on or not! Also, if you have any insights on “Schicklgruber,” please share them!
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American Classic Season 1 Episode 5 Review: Theater Games
On American Classic Season 1 Episode 5, Jon takes a secret trip, rehearsals begin, and Richard gets honest with Nadia. Read our review!
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American Classic Season 1 Episode 4 Review: Real People Who Are Real People
On American Classic Season 1 Episode 4, “Big Spender,” Boyle and Kristen plan a casino night to garner the town’s good will. Read our review!
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American Classic Season 1 Episode 3 Review: The Impossible Dream
On American Classic Season 1 Episode 3, Richard’s play plans reveal Kristen’s secrets. Meanwhile, Beans unite! We review the dream they share.
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