Absolute perfection. American Classic Season 1 Episode 7, “Camelot,” had me laughing out loud and crying real tears within its half-hour framework, and that is a rare thing.
By blowing up his arrangement with Connor Boyle, Richard risked (and lost) the financial net that allowed him to gild his production of Our Town with sets, props, and luxuries not called for by the script.
And in losing it all, he finds the heart of the show — the cast — and discovers how much they believe in him and his faith in them.
American Classic, “Camelot”
Of course, it takes an inspired, 90-second abridged version of Shakespeare’s St. Crispin’s Day speech from Henry V to move the cast, including Richard’s father, Linus, from financial pragmatism to emotional devotion.
That is to say, on a show about making a show that reflects real life in a theater setting, of course, the writers are going to use theater to spur action in real life.
Millersburg’s residents have a penchant for the dramatic. When Richard gave his Hamlet soliloquy in the bank on American Classic Season 1 Episode 3, “Juniper Berries,” everyone stopped to watch. There wasn’t a single person trying to cut in line to the teller, or a manager interrupting to keep business moving.
And the act of performing has already changed many of them. The Pat Pattersons have had to reevaluate their relationship. MiRandall has had to deal with some big feelings. And it seems like Dr. Seale has worked through some daddy issues by taking on his role.
So once Richard is finished being “Queen of Drama,” as Nadia puts it, he finds that the show does, indeed, go on.
Donuts Pay, Theater Doesn’t
No one’s in it for the money. It’s hard to believe it, considering what I thought of her earlier in the season, but Nadia is the face of the MFT’s creative revolution.
She leaves Boyle when he pulls his funding and is the first to pledge her loyalty to Richard’s vision.
To be fair, she has the resources to stay at a hotel for the duration and clearly doesn’t have to worry about missing paychecks. But between her determination and Richard’s stirring recitation, the rest of the cast feels moved to throw in for the greater good.
Richard also recognizes Hugo’s loyalty — possibly for the first time — and seems genuinely appreciative that Polly’s willing to stick with the project too.
Our Dear Mrs. Webb
The final point in the win column is Kristen getting out from under her blankets, putting an end to her pity party, and stepping up to play Mrs. Webb, completing the Bean Family Reunion onstage.
While I’ve developed a real respect for Kevin Kline as Richard Bean on American Classic, I’ve only fallen more and more in love with Laura Linney as Kristen.
Kristen’s line read for Mrs. Webb, knowing the space of vulnerability she’s living in, had me crying with her. Mrs. Webb’s doubt and apprehension about the world and the life her daughter must leap into is every mother’s greatest fear.
And for a woman who has shouldered the responsibilities of an entire town as well as her family for so long, having her emotions on display in plain view, and no way to stem them, has to be both mortifying and cathartic.
Kristen: I’m trying. I am… I’m really trying.
Richard: I know. Try less.
Kristen: “It’s cruel, I know, but I haven’t been able to tell her anything. I went into it blind. Blind as a… blind as a bat. The whole world’s wrong: That’s what’s the matter.” Not too much?
Richard: Of course, it’s too much. It was always too much. That’s what we loved about it. That’s why we do it!
What I’m wishing we could see is how Kristen got herself up and out of her doldrums and made the decision to get on stage again. Was there a bright light? An angelic visitation? A drunken hallucination?
Probably not. I expect the reality is it’s what so many people do every day — bravely put one foot in front of the other when a sinkhole suddenly destroys the path they’ve been on. They find a new way.
It’s so mundane and yet utterly extraordinary. It’s the core message of Our Town. And that’s no accident.
Red Chairs On Parade
Nadia not only proved herself resilient but also deviously resourceful.
With Boyle’s property keys in hand, she leads the charge to reclaim the theater seats Richard bought, then stored at one of Boyle’s empty storefronts.
They aren’t sneaky about it.
Cast and crew descend en masse and empty the store of every last seat, carrying them down Millersburg’s main street like an unsanctioned rally and leveraging the attention they’re drawing into free advertising for the show.
Not Such A Mean One, After All
Perhaps because it was Nadia, Boyle doesn’t make a fuss about the unlawful entry into his property. In fact, he’s a very different man when he drops by Richard’s house.
In fact, this was my laugh-out-loud moment.
Richard: Y’know, she turns out to be quite a good actor. You should come see her.
Boyle: Wait, are you still going on with the show?
Richard: Oh, yeah.
Boyle: With none of your bells and none of your whistles? I thought I took that away.
Richard: Oh, you did. But we still have the play. And the actors. And something way down deep that’s eternal in every human being.
Boyle: F*ck me. I think I need a drink.
So, Boyle isn’t the Devil after all. He’s just an Irish Grinch who has learned that the Millersburg Whos will just keep performing even without real rain, a live horse, a working soda fountain, or the last can of Who-Hash.
It’s hard to hate a guy who just spent a couple of thousand dollars on snow mushroom cream, stem cell lotion, and something called The Mist of the Hungarian Queen to win back his angry Russian girlfriend. He doesn’t have many strategies beyond his wallet, after all.
The Miranda Dilemma
The question of Miranda’s paternity would never have entered the Circle of Truth if Kristen weren’t clearly on edge already. However, I’ll give credit to the loving way it was set up and triggered.
When Jon and Miranda rehearse their last scene in Act I, with Richard and Kristen watching from the seats, and everyone keeps breaking into laughter, the Bean Family energy is supercharged.
It’s what’s been missing from Richard’s life and what makes Miranda’s life so perfect in that moment.
But for the first time in Miranda’s life, her mother doesn’t have the energy to keep things emotionally tidy and controlled. So when Richard expresses his longing to have been a part of Miranda’s life in a fatherly way, Kristen has no poker face to play.
The dominoes fall fast once the undertaker clues in. Well, except for Richard. But, as is fitting, he does get the last word in.
Opening Night Jitters
To be completely candid, I never expected to love this show as much as I do. It’s spoken to the theater kid in me as loudly as the literature buff and TV Fanatic.
American Classic’s writing is clever and elegant and built with precision care. It is a serialized theater filled with endearing characters, real emotion, and meaningful choices.
So can they stick the landing? Will American Classic Season 1 drop its curtain on uproarious applause or awkward silence? Can they fulfill the dream they promised us?
Chime in with your thoughts on the season so far in the comments section below, and reassure me that I’m not the only one feeling anxiety about the finale!
-
Characters of the Week: High Potential, DTF St. Louis & More Bring Emotions and Insight
From High Potential to Hope Valley: 1874, our Characters of the Week deliver emotions, insight, and feels.
-
Fire Country Season 4 Episode 13 Review: The Epic Crossover Event Ends on a High Note
Strengths and weaknesses from the Fire Country and Sheriff Country crossover carry over to the second hour as a race against time heats up. Our review.
-
Sheriff Country Kicks Off a Major Two-Hour Crossover with a Parent’s Worst Nightmare
The Country world has fully crossed over. It all starts with a Sheriff Country hour that brings a school bus of missing children.
-
American Classic Season 1 Episode 7 Review: We Happy Few
On American Classic Season 1 Episode 7 “Camelot,” the show goes on with heart and subtle larceny… until it doesn’t. We review that big twist!
-
Marshals Season 1 Episode 6 Review: Kayce Finally Confronts Monica’s Death
Marshals Season 1 Episode 6 recovers nicely after nearly botching and important from the previous episode. Kayce confronts his loss. Our review.
TV Fanatic is searching for passionate contributors to share their voices across various article types. Think you have what it takes to be a TV Fanatic? Click here for more information and next steps.
The post American Classic Season 1 Episode 7 Review: We Happy Few appeared first on TV Fanatic.