Pan Am 1.14: "1964"

Pan Am ended its turbulent (sorry, I couldn't resist the flight-related pun!) first-season run a couple of weeks ago. And while renewal looks like a long-shot, I've got to applaud the showrunners for going big when it came to their final episode this year. "1964" is in my estimation one of the show's strongest episodes, and ratings challenges be hanged, this show didn't care about staying safe or offering resolution, throwing major plot twists and developments for all of the leads on the table in a pretty spectacular fashion. I suppose I'll tackle this final review couple by couple...

First of all I'm going to get Maggie's (Christina Ricci) story out of the way, because she's consistently been the weakest link this season as far as the stewardess storylines have gone in my opinion, and rather unfortunately she's no exception when it comes to this season finale. *sigh* Apparently somewhere between the crew's trip to Moscow and now she did a 180-degree turn and decided to become a smuggler. Seriously, Maggie, what makes you think this is going to end well? She's become Captain Broyles (Darren Pettie) partner in crime. They spar constantly and sparks fly, so of course they jump into bed together after Maggie successfully sells a case full of jewelry to some Portuguese thugs. *eyesroll* The only positive thing to come out of this development -- and that's a stretch -- is that Maggie convinces Broyles to use his stature within the Pan Am corporate heirarchy to positively influence the outcome of Dean's competency hearing (regarding the Haiti/dead passenger drama earlier in the season).

Ted's (Michael Mosley) still trying to come to terms with Amanda's (Ashley Greene) little bombshell that she wants an open marriage. Thankfully as far as my faith in Ted's character goes this concept gives him serious pause, especially after he visits Laura (Margot Robbie) to give her a replacement camera for the one she has confiscated by Russian authorities. I really love Ted and Laura together and I wish, oh how I wish their storyline hadn't been muddied with the Amanda mess this season. Laura's made her own questionable decisions this season but she really does bring out the best in Ted -- good grief Mosley's eyes just shine whenever they share scenes together. I loved the satisfaction of seeing Ted break his engagement and stand up to his overbearing father (Jay O. Sanders) and finally, FINALLY declare his love for Laura. GAH!! That scene was priceless.

OF COURSE it would be too much to expect Ted and Laura's road to happiness to be that easy. I'd love to hear what others think about Amanda's pregnancy bombshell -- personally I think she's lying. The fact that she is so desperate, so determined to marry Ted to give her a "normal" life that she actually thinks she can "buy" Laura as Ted's mistress is just mind-boggling. With her best shot at a husband slipping through her fingers, I don't think it is a stretch to imagine a fake pregnancy ploy to ensnare Ted permanently. So, if this show is in fact not renewed, Ted and Laura live happily ever after in my imagination. Just wanted to get that settled, 'k? *wink*

Kate (Kelli Garner) makes great strides in her spy life this episode. I've got to say once she committed to her work with the CIA she made some really impressive strides, hmm? :) When her New York contact Richard (Jeremy Davidson) shows up wounded from an unknown assailant's attack Kate faces her biggest challenge yet. Richard tasks her with delivering a critical microfilm to headquarters, cautioning her that if anyone asks after his whereabouts they're a double agent. OF COURSE the double agent turns out to be her trusted MI-6 contact Anderson (David Harbour). Kate is the bait in an elaborate sting operation at a train station, and the satisfaction of seeing her own that moment was just priceless -- the girl's got guts! *wink* After the op, while visiting Richard in the hospital on New Year's Eve, he tells her that the CIA wants her to become a real agent -- this would've been huge for a woman in the '60s, which makes Kate's concern about staying with Pan Am seem a little weird, but whatever. :P Anyways -- how sweet was the Richard/Kate moment in the hospital? I am TELLING you in my version of "the rest of the story" Kate and Richard OF COURSE finally admit they have feelings for each other AND they become a swingin' sixties spying power couple. WIN! :)













Colette's (Karine Vanasse) final storyline runs a close second with Kate's for favorite in this episode. Her romance with Omar (Piter Marek), the incognito prince, is progressing at a rapid pace -- much to Dean's (Mike Vogel) chagrin. It seems he's finally seeing the consequences of his inability to say no to women (here's looking at you, Bridget) and is resigned to losing Colette to the prince -- at least he's ceding the field with some grace. *sigh* Colette is on the verge of taking a six-month leave of absence from her beloved job for an official courtship, but all that comes to a screeching halt when the royal investigators uncover some shocking facts about her past. Everything she's known about her family, presumed lost in the war, was a lie -- in order to protect her the orphanage that granted her refuge changed her Jewish surname to a French one, and, best of all, she has a younger brother out there somewhere who was adopted!

This whole storyline just reinforces my belief that Colette is, hands-down, the best, most well-drawn character on this show. I loved the glimpses of her backstory revealed during the crew's earlier trip to Berlin, and this revelation is just the icing on the cake. While I wish more time could've been devoted to her romance with the prince (really he was to die for -- well, up until the break-up over hidden Jewish heritage thing, but at least he didn't cruelly drag it out -- and Colette, thankfully, wasn't overly invested in the relationship, so the news that she has a brother far outshines any might-have-been's with the prince), we all knew that was ultimately doomed because of Dean, right? Let me just add that Dean's offer to spend his six-month grounding period helping Colette find her missing brother was one of my favorite moments of the hour. He's committed to winning her back and frankly I loved seeing that.

The episode ends with the dawn of a new year -- 1964 -- and the beginning of a new era for every member of the Pan Am crew. In the wake of Kennedy's assassination and the developments of this hour, every principle is on the cusp of great change. I've had an admittedly roller-coaster relationship with this show, and while it faltered a bit after a promising first few episodes (most troubling concerning the crazy lack of morals) I loved the show's style and the introduction to promising talent like Vanasse and Garner. Pan Am was something wildy, refreshingly different for network television, and once I came to terms with the show's often over-the-top soap opera tendencies I enjoyed many of the episodes and/or storylines.

Personally here's how I see it playing out -- Maggie is going to crash and burn in a spectacular fashion since out of all of the four female leads she's the one most committed to a terminal case of recurring stupidity. After an extremely rocky period when Laura learns that Ted might be a father, the two reconcile when its proven that Amanda was fabricating fake children. Laura and Ted FINALLY marry and live happily ever after -- he eventually gets a captaincy and Laura becomes a famous photographer. As mentioned earlier Richard and Kate become a CIA power couple, saving freedom and the western way of life one case of microfilm at a time. And Dean and Colette? Well they find her brother of course, and eventually marry and live impossibly idyllic lives. THE END. Thoughts? :)

Pan Am 1.13: "Romance Languages"

I am SO CONFUSED. Why a ratings-challenged show like Pan Am would opt to air as episode 13 a show whose events occur between episodes six and seven is completely beyond my comprehension. Why, now that Colette and Dean have taken steps toward an on again/off again relationship, when Laura's faced the humiliation of having her nude photographs on public display, WHY when there's been so much progression did the show decide to jump back in time without so much as an on-screen notation or introductory scene of explanation is beyond me. If anyone knows whether or not this episode was bumped for a reason please chime in with a comment, I'd love to know the reasoning behind this!

Anyways -- the Pan Am crew is headed to Rome, and Dean (Mike Vogel) cannot wait to get out of the country. He's tried repeatedly to break up with Ginny (Erin Cummings), the mistress of Pan Am vice president Everett Henson (Scott Cohen), but she's just not taking no for an answer. This chick is a whole lotta crazy -- but clearly Dean has issues thinking with his BRAIN. *sigh* Clearly the episode in the street where she loses it and throws full milk bottles at his head didn't clue him into the fact that she was not going to let him go without a fight, because he's COMPLETELY SURPRISED when she's followed him to Rome (clearly Dean thinks he's above being stalked). Dean finally seems to get a clue when Ginny smashes her head through a WINDOW (that was epic for this show, trust me!). Throughout the course of the episode its revealed that Ginny and Henson fought over Maggie's revelation that she was cheating on him, a desperate attempt on her part to keep her coveted job at the expense of her friendships. When Henson, for some reason STILL in "love" with the crazy arrives in Rome, he and Dean reach an understanding of sorts -- Dean can move on and keep his job as long as he keeps the secret of Henson's affair from becoming public knowledge. Not your best moment, Dean...and given the Colette/Bridget mess of the last few episodes I can't say I think you've learned all that much. *sigh* :P

Speaking of Colette (Karine Vanasse), she's tasked with chaperoning Charlie (Lance Chantiles-Wertz), a young boy shuttling between wealthy divorced parents. Colette's interactions with Charlie are really pretty charming, and she handles his adoration with mostly admirable aplomb and sensitivity. Charlie's a bit fresh and forward clearly because he's desperately lonely, and I think that's a quality Colette recognizes and relates to given her history of losing her parents to World War II. I've also got to say I loved the moment at the end of the episode where she calls Maggie (Christina Ricci) on her crap, confronting her with the knowledge that she's well aware of the lengths Maggie went to in order to keep her job -- something that clearly rattles Maggie, and given her actions in subsequent episodes (i.e. seven on) I think she's shown a degree or two of greater appreciation for her friends and coworkers.

Laura (Margot Robbie) is rather obsessed with losing her virtue to an annoying degree in this episode. She's sick to death of being the baby sister, the one who's always getting taken care of, who can't be trusted to make her own decisions, etc. When she attends a photography exhibit by the Life photographer who made her famous by featuring her in the magazine, she's alternately scandalized and intrigued by his edgy nude portraits. He mistakes her fascination for interest in him, she spends most of the trip to Rome second-guessing herself, ultimately deciding to pose for a set of private portraits (all in the interest of self-expression *sigh*). The best thing to come out of Laura's angst in this episode is that she shares a nice sisterly moment with Kate. You don't have to agree with their morals, but I like the two of them as sisters -- at they're best they are there for each other, and I appreciate that.

The best part of this oddly-inserted episode is Kate's (Kelli Garner) storyline. Since we've jumped back in time we get to revisit her relationship with Niko (Goran Visnjic) at the height of their happiness (any excuse for a Visnjic guest-spot is fine by me). Kate's perfectly happy to enjoy being in love with Niko, and if she can manage to turn him into a CIA asset so much the better. But the latter is more of a vague hope than a concrete possibility -- but all of that changes when Kate's approached in Rome and ordered to stay away from Niko. Understandably rattled by the experience, Kate's concerned her spy cover has been blown. Richard (Jeremy Davidson) reassures her on that front, but pressures her to use this scare to their advantage, hoping Niko's feelings for Kate will force a pivot into their camp. It's interesting, to me, that Kate objects to this but follows through anyway -- she is more serious about the spying gig than I think even she realizes at this point.

I really think if this episode had aired as episode seven as an additional chapter in earlier events this season, the overall season this year would've ended up stronger. Disappointing that this episode was shoe-horned in by all appearances at the last minute -- but what's done is done. (Speaking of what's done is done, this episode features an APPALLING lack of Ted/Michael Mosley. Just sayin'!) Season finale post coming soon!

Pan Am 1.12: "New Frontiers"

This may come as a shock, but I pretty much loved this episode of Pan Am (the drama, not necessarily the morals -- ha!). Definitely one of my favorites of this show's short run -- somehow everything just worked for me. The episode opens with Kate (Kelli Garner) practicing pick-pocketing skills under the watchful eye of Richard (Jeremy Davidson). Apparently that is how the CIA trained their freelance spies in the '60s -- hey, how about we practice picking pockets in Central Park? Great weather! Richard wants Kate to lift some microfilm from the pocket of a courier in Rome -- the Italians are granting the US access for the operation, and thanks to Richard, Kate and crew have an invitation to an exclusive party. Awesome moment #1 -- Kate and Richard being all flirty while she tries to lift his wallet. I LOVE THEIR SCENES!

Dean (Mike Vogel) is desperate to win back Colette (Karine Vanasse) but she isn't giving him the time of day -- and while he totally deserves the cold shoulder I actually felt rather bad for him in this episode...he wasn't all Ken doll perfect (well not quite). *wink* Colette drops the little bomb that she's put in a for a base transfer to ANOTHER CONTINENT (note to Dean: THAT is sending a message). So he's all stressed and on edge heading into this flight, which is only made worse by the arrival of a last-minute passenger who is handsome, charming, and oddly enough has NO luggage. (That sort of cracked me up -- times have certainly changed haven't they, in regards to airline security!)

The lone passenger, Omar (Piter Marek) is everything Dean wishes he was at that moment -- handsome, calm, cool, collected, and oh-so-very-charming -- so Dean decides he MUST be the passenger responsible for a smuggled cache of cigarettes (in Dean's defense, Omar's lack of luggage works against him). Despite his unorthodox entrance, Omar charms Colette (much to Dean's chagrin) and the sparks fly between the two of them. He talks Colette into showing him around Rome and she agrees (seriously who can blame her?), and this is where things got AWESOME. The whole relationship was wildly reminscent of Gregory Peck and Audrey Hepburn in Roman Holiday, only the royalty role is reversed when Dean is humiliated by the revelation that Omar is a prince who went AWOL on his family and responsibilities to "see the world." Before his departure Omar invites Colette to be his date to a White House dinner -- just marry him already, Colette. If anyone on this crazy show deserves a Roman Holiday-esque romance it's you. *wink*

Turning our attention to the rest of the crew, Maggie (Christina Ricci) can't keep Amanda's (Ashley Greene) kiss from Ted (Michael Mosley). She tries to tell him that maybe, just maybe, all is not as it seems in his whirlwind romance it rather blows up in her face -- Ted is very much a man's man and just can't wrap his head around the idea that Amanda may be more interested in women than men. Apparently sensing Ted's reservations Amanda agrees to sleep with him, and it doesn't go well to say the least -- nothing is shown, there's just a whole lotta AWKWARD in the aftermath. At this point I was yelling at the TV for Ted to wake up already because he is in deep denial about Amanda's turnaround as regards him and her desire to marry.

Meanwhile Laura's (Margot Robbie) world is rocked when she discovers that the impulsive nude photographs she was so proud of just a few months prior were SOLD AND PUT ON DISPLAY (seriously who didn't see that coming? yeesh...). She's humiliated and panicked, going so far as to go to Ted's to ask for a loan -- where it is glaringly apparent to Amanda that the pair have feelings for each other (DUH). She ends up loaning Laura the cash to buy the prints, and later suggests to Ted that they have an open marriage so he can be be with Laura all he wants (to Ted's credit, at least by the end of this episode, his WHAT THE HELL face is pretty priceless). The photograph issue remains unresolved for Laura as on her return trip to the gallery she's recognized and praised for her "bravery" (some say brave, I say stupid) and learns that friggin' Andy Warhol wants to buy the pictures. This whole section of the episode is soap opera INSANITY, the best part being Ted's valiant efforts not to appear completely clueless. :P

Maggie's adventures in Rome take an interesting turn when George Broyles (Darren Pettie) approaches her with an offer he's sure she won't be able to refuse -- become a partner in his Pan Am smuggling operation or he'll reveal that she was the source behind the revelation of Dean's earlier affair with Ginny, the mistress/secretary of a Pan Am vice president. This is an interesting moment, because I've felt since the beginning of the show that Maggie was the least-developed of character of the four female leads. However, I was happy to see that she finally shows some positive character growth by owning her actions and refusing to cave to Broyles's blackmail threat.

This episode ends with the horrific event we've known was coming since Kennedy's Berlin wall speech -- his assassination. All of this week's drama -- Laura's photographs, Ted's shock about his fiancee, the breach between Colette and Dean -- pales in comparison to the news spreading through the country from Dallas regarding the president's condition. My mom's talked about what it was like to get the news, so it was interesting to see the total shock and disbelief play out in our characters' lives -- news traveled in a much slower manner, almost unrelatable by today's standards with the "instant gratification" of 24-hour news cycles. Overall a solid episode in what has been a bumpy ride this season.

Pan Am 1.11: "Diplomatic Relations"

And the fallout from Bridget's (Annabelle Wallis) return continues with this episode of Pan Am. Dean (Mike Vogel) seems to be regretting his COMPLETE LACK OF SELF-CONTROL from the previous evening (shocker) -- seriously, I felt kind of bad for Bridget for about two seconds. It has to be pretty crushing to sleep with a guy and then he's all WHY THE HECK DID I DO THAT?! I DON'T LOVE YOU?! But I can't stand Bridget, and while I think Colette (Karine Vanasse) is entirely too good for Dean, the fact remains that she is good for him...but Dean's inability to keep his pants zipped has thrown a giant wrench in the way of any possible future for the pair. *sobs* *rollseyes* Thankfully work intervenes before Dean can do something else really stupid with Bridget -- he discovers that he's been assigned to captain the first Pan Am flight to Moscow since the advent of the Cold War. Dean's honor, however, is short-lived when his captaincy is pre-empted by the arrival of George Broyles (Darren Pettie), a hot-shot, smooth-talking WWII pilot who steals the spotlight and the captain's chair.

Kate (Kelli Garner) is now (finally) wholly committed to the spy game. When her CIA handler Richard (Jeremy Davidson) learns of the upcoming Moscow trip, he asks her to check on the status of a deep cover double agent who has dropped off the radar. I really liked the whole idea of a trip like this into the heart of the Soviet Union. Touted as a goodwill mission of sorts, when the crew arrives it is clear that their every move will be closely monitored -- a reality no one is used to, but makes things doubly difficult for Kate to slip off and check on the Russian operative. I thought this episode handled the political tensions of the time period really quite effectively.

While Dean, Kate, Bridget, and Laura are navigating the murky waters of Soviet Russia, Maggie and Ted are stateside dealing with major relationship developments during their time off. Maggie (Christina Ricci) still (shocker!) hasn't figured out how to confess to her congressman boyfriend (Chris Beetem) that she's behind the recently published -- and decidedly unflattering -- article written about him in the Village Voice newspaper. Even after her old reporter boyfriend Mike (Colin Donnell) warns Maggie that the congressman's staff is intent on discovering the source of the piece, she STILL can't seem to find the right moment to come clean -- instead attending a fundraising party as Congressman Rawlings' date, and in typical Maggie fashion getting carried away and insulting another partygoer, thus outing herself as the source behind the article. Talk about a spectacularly public break-up! It would be nice if I had some confidence that Maggie was finally going to learn from this -- but I think she is so accustomed to playing fast and loose with the truth that I don't know if she realizes there's any other way to live, you know?

In a twist I didn't see coming -- though in hindsight given the soapy nature of this show I probably should have -- Ted's (Michael Mosley) girlfriend Amanda (Ashley Greene) comforts Maggie with a hug & a KISS post-breakup, this AFTER accepting Ted's proposal of marriage AT THE FLIPPIN' PARTY. Really, I mean really? The implication to my mind, at least, is that now that we know Amanda agrees with Maggie's tearful admission that sometimes women are just nicer to deal with, that is the only reason she held off Ted's amorous advances, as opposed to holding onto anything resembling a moral principle like waiting for marriage. Disappointing, but as I said, in keeping with the show's wildly soap opera-ish tendencies. Clearly Amanda's 180-turn in her behavior towards Ted is rooted in much more than a realization that he can be a charmer. :P

My favorite storyline by far in this episode is the trip to Moscow and how that provides a showcase for Kate's growing savvy as an undercover operative. When Laura (Margot Robbie) and Bridget are detained by the KGB for some innocent photo-taking, Dean is enraged but his position with Pan Am gives him no leverage in Moscow, revealing a nice level of maturity and responsibility as regards the crew/job. Kate, on the other hand, has managed to discover that Broyles uses his position with the airline to indulge in a little black market smuggling activity, and that coupled with her intel on the double agent gives her the leverage she needs to get her sister out of harm's way. I LOVED Kate's stand-off with Broyles when she demands he use his ill-gotten gains to free his fellow crew members -- the strength she exhibits speaks to her growing self-confidence and the nice sisterly bond between her & Laura. Well done, it's about time to see Kate commit to a course of action as regards the spying side gig!

Thoughts on episode 12 coming soon...

Pan Am 1.10: "Secrets and Lies"

Well once again I find myself weeks and weeks behind in television reviews...oh well, it is what it is, hmm? :) As the year has progressed, I've found that Pan Am has not quite lived up to the promise of its first two or three episodes -- but once I came to terms with the fact that the show was DETERMINED to give me whiplash when it comes to all of the characters and their relationships, well I've still enjoyed it for the most part. :) "Secrets and Lies" marked Pan Am's return after its killer winter cliffhanger episode which saw Kate (Kelli Garner) taking firing on a spy to protect her British intelligence contact Anderson (David Harbour). I found it fascinating to see how the show dealt with the aftermath of the shooting -- Kate seemed to handle it remarkably well, all things considered, until Richard (Jeremy Davidson) informs her that if she has any hope of putting this episode behind her she'll have to pass a lie detector test. It turns out that Anderson lied about the incident, claiming responsibility for the shooting -- and in order for the investigation to be closed and for BOTH of them to move on with their lives, Kate will have to confirm his story. Leading up to the lie detector test, I thought Garner handled Kate's near-breakdown really rather well. Loved the push-and-pull between her and Anderson, and the way she ultimately embraced a spy's life since she's started to reveal something of an aptitude for it.

Meanwhile things have been going just swimmingly for Dean (Mike Vogel) and Colette's (Karine Vanasse) budding romance, but of course in the world of this show you're lucky if a relationship is solid for twenty minutes of screentime. :P Bridget (Annabelle Wallis), who BROKE DEAN'S HEART with her disappearing act, is back (thanks to Kate stopping that list of agent names from getting sold) and thinks she can just pick right back up where she left off with Dean. Craziness! Unfortunately, Colette is ridiculously nice and instead of making a case for her place in Dean's life she practically pushes him in Bridget's arms so the two can "work out their issues." Whatevs. This whole Dean/Colette thing is a bit of a mess, because if Colette is too nice to tell Bridget to take a flying leap (which she is), then Dean is too wishy-washy to know what (or WHO) he really wants. Dean, I really do like you, I think you are a nice person and you bear a striking resemblance to a KEN DOLL, but for goodness' sake learn how to control yourself! Just because an ex-girlfriend throws herself at you doesn't mean you *have* to sleep with her. YEESH!

Maggie (Christina Ricci) is very, VERY conflicted about her continuing relationship with the senator (Chris Beetem) she hooked up with in the last episode. She positively HATES his politics, but OHMYGOSH HE'S SO HOT, right?! What's a girl to do? *rolls eyes* Unfortunately for our most impetuous stewardess, she put pen to paper and turned in a rather inflammatory article to her "friend-with-benefits" Mike the reporter (Colin Donnell) at the Village Voice newspaper. When the paper needs an extra column Mike spiffs up Maggie's article and runs with it -- and poor Maggie can't seem to bring herself to admit to her paramour that she's the source of the bad press. Maggie, Maggie, Maggie, the longer you try to keep this secret the worse it's gonna get when the truth comes out! (Can I just tell you, though, that I am really impressed with the level of secondary character continuity this show delivers -- sure the scripts have their hiccups, but bringing back Mike for multiple episodes really does help build the world of the show.)

Ted (Michael Mosley) has fallen head-over-heels for his former childhood nemesis Amanda (Ashley Greene) -- his only issue is that she's saving herself for marriage, and Ted, well he's just not that patient. :P The moment where he goes to Laura (Margot Robbie) for advice was actually really rather humorous, and unexpectedly thought-provoking. If Amanda saying she's saving herself for marriage gets Ted serious enough to want to go engagement ring shopping, what does that make Laura feel about her own admitted premarital tryst? Now I'm not suggesting this show is trying to be moral (its track record proves otherwise), I just thought the contrast in Laura's past dealings with Ted and his new relationship with Amanda, and how he views it, was...interesting. I also think it is interesting contrasting Dean vs. Ted -- in a weird way I've come to respect the less likely of the two (Ted, based on his introduction in the show) as the season has progressed. At least Ted can OWN that he's a mess, know what I mean?  Also...Robbie rather broke my heart with her unspoken heartbreak over seeing the possibility of a relationship with Ted slip through her fingers. Oh those crazy kids! :P

Posts on episodes 11 and 12 are forthcoming, so I've tried to keep my thoughts specific to the events in this episode alone. :) Thoughts on the episode?

Pan Am 1.9: "Kiss Kiss, Bang Bang"

I finally got around to watching the fall finale of Pan Am, and oh my word was it awesome. The twists and turns were INSANE but for the most part I loved every second. Values-wise this show still has its frustrations, but I like these characters so much, and this episode was (for my money) a great example of what the show is capable of when at its best -- wildly fabulous, soap opera-ish storylines and compelling, likable, very human characters. And as a mid-season finale this episode worked WILDLY well, because oh my word I cannot WAIT to find out what happens next! :)

First of all I want to discuss Dean (Mike Vogel) and Colette (Karine Vanasse). Dean is lucky he's not dead or hospitalized after pulling the whole "Surprise! I'm taking you to meet my parents!" stunt. *wink* He has seemed so polished this season I forget that compared to Ted, Dean has very working class roots, coming from a farming family. I LOVED him in denim, I just have to say. He has such an adorable all-American look to him, doesn't he? :) Anyways, apparently since Colette kissed Dean after the whole Haiti debacle, they have been a couple -- probably the poorest-kept secret amongst their coworkers. *snicker* I couldn't BELIEVE that Dean's father was so ticked that Colette wasn't Bridget -- I don't care HOW bad or nonexistant your relationship with any given family member may be, you do NOT horrify a guest in your home like that! I wanted to smack him! As cliched and cheesy as Dean's apology may have been ("you're REAL, Bridget isn't"), as far as the "world" this show is establishing goes it fit the characters and the moment. Dean really is capable of being an wonderful, stand-up guy, but there's some maturity issues there, issues that I think Colette could help him with. I only wish they didn't have the baggage of previous hook-ups, but such is the nature of network TV I suppose. *sigh* (Seriously though, making love in the parents' BARN, a building they could walk into at ANY MOMENT, that's a bit much. Just sayin'!)

We are introduced to Maggie's (Christina Ricci) friend Sam (Danny Deferrari), a political activist briefly seen in the first episode, hinting at Maggie's bohemian lifestyle and political leanings. Sam cons Maggie into smuggling him onto her London-bound flight, where he plans to protest nuclear arms talks. En route he confronts a traveling senator (Chris Beetem), embarrassing Maggie on the job, and later calling her out on the fact that while she may talk a good game about wanting to change the world, when it comes down to it she just isn't brave enough. Maggie being Maggie rises to the challenge, and what starts out as a lively discussion between her and the handsome senator turns into a hookup, which leads to of all things a fire. There's no way around it, Maggie is a MESS, but I do like her spunk. I just wish the show didn't play so fast and loose with her morally-speaking. Thus far there have been relatively little consequences to her poor decisions on the job or romance-wise -- and addressing fallout could really add some depth to her character.

Regarding Laura (Margot Robbie) and Ted (Michael Mosley) in this episode, can I just tell you people how much I love them? If this show isn't renewed for a second season (and let's face it, that may be an uphill battle), I will be so upset if Laura and Ted aren't in a relationship! As immature and just plain stupid as Laura can be, she can also be extraordinarily kind and I love how she's seemed to make Ted a better (nicer) person just by knowing him (and saying no!). I loved how this episode played with the idea that Laura may have lost out on her chance with Ted, when Ted enlists her help to scare off an a girl he had a crush on as a kid that he turns out to like, and like A LOT. Amanda (Ashley Greene) is slated to appear in at least one other episode this season, so hopefully Laura will kick her to the curb (HA!).

But let me backtrack for a second -- since Dean plays hooky from work on the London flight, the Clipper Majestic has a replacement captain -- a sexist, stuck on himself PIG (John Bedford Lloyd), Captain Dennis. Dennis makes several unwelcome advances to Laura, a stark reminder of the fact that while sexism and harrassment in the workplace still exists, at least now there is more recognition of its inappropriateness and more recourse for victims of such behavior to seek, etc. I LOVED it when Laura "accidentally" spills hot coffee all over Dennis, who threatens to write her up -- but later reveals that Ted talked him out of it by telling the louse that Laura was the best thing that ever happened to him. (I DIE.) Ted has come a LONG way since this show began, and Laura's growing realization that he might be worth taking a chance on, and that she might be too late -- oh it was very well-played.

Speaking of consequences, Kate (Kelli Garner) is learning about those in spades as she's reaping the "reward" of her push to become a CIA spy. Not surprisingly it is a lot easier to join the agency than it is to leave it. Richard (Jeremy Davidson) insists that she complete one more mission in London -- delivering a fake list of spies to her contact Anderson (David Harbour), who will replace the real list a Russian is slated to acquire. I like to think that Richard is VERY UPSET that Kate wants to leave the spying game. *wink* Kate has grown up quite a bit over the course of the series, and though her pouting reaction to the harsh realities and consequences of spying can be grating, I have to admit she's got some skills and moxie as this episode reveals. I love that Anderson basically blackmails Kate into seeing the mission through by revealing that the lives of her old coworker Bridget and her ONE TRUE LOVE Niko are at stake. Nicely done, show, nicely done. Play with fire and you will get burned! If the cliffhanger from the end of this episode plays out the way I suspect, there's no way Kate is exiting the spy game anytime soon. :) I am definitely looking forward to the show's return January 8th!

Pan Am 1.8: "Unscheduled Departure"

Pan Am's eighth episode aired before Thanksgiving, but given ABC's sadly erratic scheduling of this gem of a show (not doing this one any favors ABC, just sayin'!), I held off watching it to review episodes eight and nine (which aired this past Sunday) closer together. This episode was thoroughly enjoyable and highlighted one of the main reasons I fell in love with this show -- its sense of adventure and possibility, There were no spy-related shenanigans, no characters I like hooking up with the wrong people (here's looking at you, Dean, with your stupid Ginny obsession and you, Laura, with your random sailor).

This time the Clipper Majestic is headed to Caracas, only there's more than one storm brewing -- the actual hurricane they're headed towards, and the drama that will erupt among the passengers when one unexpectedly falls ill. The substitute navigator, Chuck (Matthew Rauch), was endlessly entertaining with how he got on EVERYONE'S nerves, but especially Ted's (Michael Mosley). Ted can be a cocky jerk, but over the course of the show he's slowly revealed a heart beneath the bluster. Chuck is like Ted unrestrained -- BAH. *wink* It killed me when Ted tells Chuck that Laura (Margot Robbie) is off-limits because she's waiting for Mr. Right. Seriously, Laura, you had to start the whole sleep with a random sailor thing?? Ted is RESPECTING you for your restraint. (Excuse me while I go bang my head against the wall...)

Kate (Kelli Garner) appears to have made something of a recovery from losing Niko to spying -- but curiously enough it is a kindly older passenger who gets her to thinking about what she wants from life. Henry (Harris Yulin) is flying to Caracas to commemorate the fortieth anniversary of his marriage to his beloved late wife Blanka. Henry's passion for his wife's memory seemed to suggest to Kate that her earlier passion for spying at the expense of her personal life was too costly a trade -- but maybe I read her reaction wrong? Either way, it was refreshing to see Kate as just Kate, not the spy, not the woman with the secret agenda, just someone making a meaningful connection with a passenger.

Henry's heart attack and eventual death is the stuff high melodrama is made of, but when it comes to this show I can't fault its predisposition for soap opera. For my money Pan Am does a decent job balacing the soapiness of some of its storylines with real humanity, because for all the characters may frustrate me occasionally, they are so dang likable and genuine and real. In a desperate attempt to save Henry's life, Dean (Mike Vogel) makes the call to land the plane in hurricane- and revolution-ravaged Haiti. It's a dicey situation as they run the risk of a plane full of passengers being taken hostage. Since Colette (Karine Vanasse) is a native French speaker, she and Ted take off to find a doctor -- and instead come across a desperate refugee. This sequence highlighted a couple of things I want to mention -- first, Ted can't shut up when he's nervous -- hilarious! Second, Colette is by far (at least so far, anyway) the classiest and most interesting member of this team. Her childhood under Nazi rule makes her particularly sensitive to the refugee's plight -- and her insistence on trying to save one life is admirably portrayed.

Maggie (Christina Ricci) is relegated to the background in this episode, and I can't say I mourned the loss of focus for her character. However, it is worth mentioning that I loved how the wealthy passenger (Aaron Diaz) she's charmed by at the beginning of the flight turns out to be a total, selfish, cowardly LOSER. And she recognizes his lack and calls him out on it -- the zingers she flings his way are pretty humorous.

And third -- and most important to me (HA!) -- this episode brings the electric attraction that has been simmering below the surface between Dean and Colette to the surface. Yes, FINALLY. After the plane leaves Haiti and is safely diverted to Miami, the stewardesses pull an "I am Spartacus" routine to save Colette from taking the blame for smuggling a refugee into the United States. It was a very nice touch have Kate call Richard (Jeremy Davidson) and insist that he arrange the girl's immigration papers (speaking of characters I'd like to see together, forget Niko -- ultimately I am all about Kate and Richard!). This whole episode gave Dean a chance to return to pre-Ginny form. He really is a good guy, he really is capable of being a leader (see Ted defending his decisions to Chuck!), and when Colette finally, finally kisses him at the end of the episode I may or may not have cheered. :)

Hopefully I'll have a post about episode nine up soon!

Pan Am 1.7: "Truth or Dare"

Pan Am's seventh episode was an interesting mix, facing the racial tensions of the 1960s head-on through Laura's (Margot Robbie) eyes, while underscoring the fact that these characters -- in this case the stewardesses -- continue to LOSE THEIR FRIGGIN' MINDS when it comes to men. *sigh*

We're at the point in the show where supporting characters make welcome second appearances -- in this case, Mike the reporter (Colin Donnell) who was charmed by Maggie (Christina Ricci) on the Berlin flight. That was an unexpected but welcome moment of continuity in a freshman drama. Apparently they have a little somethin' somethin' going on -- and I've gotta say given Maggie's rather bohemian, free-wheeling character I am not really surprised. :P In Maggie's case, such shenanigans make some sense -- when it comes to the Cameron sisters, however, that's another story (or so I thought based on their introduction). But given the fact that apparently a current show *has* to have characters sleep around to be relevant/edgy/whatever, I shouldn't be surprised, right? I'm glad this show doesn't stray into terribly explicit territory -- but the lack of relational morals, I guess you could say, is a frustration in a show that otherwise I've really grown to love over the last few weeks. (Rant over.)

Since Laura moved in with Maggie, it's apparent she's become something of a wild child, getting completely sloshed at a debriefing party where the guests of honor are the last flight's passengers -- a group of sailors very, VERY happy to be on leave. In a brief flashback to the beginning of the flight, the girls are playing truth or dare, and Laura reveals she posed nude for the photographer assigned to do a magazine story on Pan Am stewardesses. (Seriously, HOW STUPID IS THIS WOMAN?? Like these pics are not going to back to haunt her -- what a DUMMY!) Laura's this weird mix of wildness and naivete -- the latter particularly evident in her interactions with Joe (Gaius Charles), the lone black sailor on the flight. The two made a connection, but Laura's not quite at ease because of his race. She doesn't confront her feelings until Joe is beaten up just for being seen in public with her. This is a huge wake-up call for Laura, and probably her best moment on the show -- until she decides he should be her "first." Girl, you've known him for ALL OF TWO DAYS. Does no woman on this show worry about getting pregnant? That aside, Joe was a real charmer, and I wouldn't mind seeing him make a return appearance.

Meanwhile, Kate's (Kelli Garner) relationship with her Yugoslavian boyfriend Niko (Goran Visnjic) is about to go completely south. When she learns that he's about to leave for home, worried for his safety she calls Richard (Jeremy Davidson) for help. When he sends the CIA to her apartment in an effort to forcibly turn him into a US asset, Kate is horrified (they drag him out wearing a HOOD! oh the drama!). The Kate and Niko storyline is pure soap opera but gosh I have to admit that that in this episode I loved it. She's the frustrated but noble idealist, he's the wounded lover facing near-certain death...the type of drama (tinged with big implications -- personal turmoil highlighting larger political issues of the time) this show does really fairly well. I look forward to Visnjic's return to the show, should Pan Am continue to find its legs ratings-wise.

Besides the spy storyline, my favorite moment of this episode came courtesy of Colette (Karine Vanasse) and Dean (Mike Vogel). After (hopefully) coming to his senses regarding Ginny, Dean and Colette share a really sweet moment during the sailors' flight. During the truth-or-dare game, Colette revealed that she's always dreamed of flying -- and later during a shared moment alone together in the cockpit, Dean lets Colette take Ted's (Michael Mosley) seat and turns the controls over to the co-pilot's control. The look on Colette's face is just priceless -- Dean needs to realize what a gem she is ASAP. Thus far, Colette is by far my favorite of the stewardesses. Vanasse is a terrific actress, able to convey such depth of emotion with a simple look or half smile, and character-wise Colette seems the -- wisest, perhaps is the word I'm looking for.

Going forward, I would really love more Colette centered stories -- she really hasn't been featured since the Berlin episode. Plus, she has the potential to redeem Dean in my eyes from the whole Ginny mess. :P I also really want to see Ted's character featured more prominently -- he's rather been in the background since the Rangoon episode. It's interesting that I felt Laura made Ted more responsible, etc., while she's gotten wilder as the show has progressed. Also -- now that Kate's had her heart broken and woken up to the harsh realities of spying, I hope she'll be given missions with greater stakes -- and that she'll handle them with some aplomb. The Niko relationship has accelerated her maturation, a bit too fast perhaps, but nonetheless needed in the long-term. Looking forward to the show's next flight! :)

Pan Am 1.6: "The Genuine Article"

I'm finally getting caught up on episodes of Pan Am, go me! *wink* This week took the crew to Rio sans Kate (Kelli Garner), who was unexpectedly sidelined by her CIA handler Richard (Jeremy Davidson). The fallout from her liason with the handsome Yugoslavian diplomat Niko (Goran Visnjic) is about to get more difficult than she ever expected -- no longer the means to an end, Niko is her new target. And since their romance quickly heated up, Kate's about to discover just how difficult it is juggling her spy life when her heart is deeply and unexpectedly involved.

I'm probably just projecting here (HA!), but I sort of felt like Richard was a bit exasperated with Kate for getting involved with Niko. While I felt like the previous episode's "twist," where Kate slept with Niko on their first "date" was completely unnecessary and out of character (to date), Garner makes it obvious that Kate has fallen and fallen hard for the handsome diplomat. And who wouldn't? When Visnjic delivers that line at the amusement park about his thoughts being "full of her" I could've died. Too perfect. *swoon* And he tops that off by revealing his anti-communist stance -- beliefs that could cost him his freedom at the very least under Tito's regime, well I for one can't blame Kate for falling in love with a potential political martyr. Just sayin'. I'm really looking forwad to seeing how he responds to the revelation that Kate is a spy -- because even though he didn't start out as her target, he's going to assume she's been manipulating him the entire time, surely. The plucky Kate is, I think, about to discover a very personal cost to her spying larks...

Speaking of people acting out of character, it was refreshing to see Dean (Mike Vogel) start to get fed up with Ginny's (Erin Cummings) shenanigans, especially when she has no qualms about playing her lovers against each other -- a fact that Dean doesn't appreciate considering his competition, Mr. Henson (Scott Cohen), is a Pan Am VP. Dean's fling with Ginny has caused me to lose a lot of respect for the character -- she seems like such a FLAKE. And seriously, why is Dean even giving Ginny the time of day when Colette (Karine Vanasse) is around?? Colette is so much classier, and the concerned/wounded looks she casts Dean's way when watching Ginny play her little games just KILLED me. Unfortunately for Dean, his brush with fire is apt to have major consequences...













The Rio trip highlighted Maggie's (Christina Ricci) backstory, and we finally get to see what makes the most unconventional member of the crew tick. Maggie's penchant for flouting convention and authority finally catch up with her prior to this trip, as she's called on the carpet by the Pan Am brass for insubordination. With the job she perhaps didn't realize she valued so much at risk, it is revealed through flashback that Maggie got to where she is today through a lot of fast talk and charm and outright lying -- basically, doing whatever needed to be done to achieve her desired end result. Every time she's been caught in a lie or a situation she didn't want anymore, she simply moved on -- but her job as a stewardess is where she draws the proverbial line in the sand, much to her surprise.

While shopping in Rio Maggie and Laura (Margot Robbie) are hauled in to a police station for questioning after (on Laura's part, unwittingly) purchasing stolen goods. All of Laura's illusions about her erstwhile mentor and friend come crashing down as a stressed-out Maggie reveals (some of) her transgressions. It's a very telling moment for Maggie when, after the girls are "rescued" by Ted (Michael Mosley), she tearfully thanks him for "always showing up" -- a trait she sees lacking in herself? In her desperation to keep her job, Maggie turns in information Mr. Henson about Ginny, his mistress/secretary, and Dean -- and it is glaringly clear she's not proud of herself, perhaps for the first time realizing that she doesn't really like who she's allowed herself to become. I cannot WAIT to see the fallout from this for both Dean and Maggie in future episodes!

The Monte Carlo episode frustrated me because the hookups seemed like a cheap ratings ploy, out of character and out of step with the time period and tone of the show thus far. However, I will say that I like the fact that this episode appears to indicate that the show is going to explore the consequences and emotional toll of the aforementioned hookups -- something many (most?) dramas seem to dismiss as irrelevant.

Thoughts? :)

Pan Am 1.5: "One Coin in a Fountain"

I finally caught up with this week's Pan Am episode, which took the crew to glamorous Monte Carlo where romantic complications positively exploded for many members of the Clipper Majestic crew. The crew's first stop is London, and on the flight a vivacious woman named Ginny (Erin Cummings) makes herself at home in the cockpit, chatting to the pilots and catching Dean's (Mike Vogel) eye, to the surprise of everyone. My first thought here was my oh my, how times have changed -- convenient plot devices aside, it's hard to wrap my head around the fact that anyone could simply waltz into a plane's cockpit!

Dean seems more than willing to put the disappearing Bridget behind him and pursues Ginny with an abandon that borders on uncharacteristic. Colette (Karine Vanasse) has gotten a bit of a short shrift for the last two episodes, but the wordless looks she'd cast Dean's way when he would talk to Ginny where just heartbreaking. I do hope this means that the show will continue to explore the idea of a relationship between the two of them. The crew's jaunt to Paris proved that Dean and Colette have a lot of chemistry, and I love how she seems able to read him with just a look.

There's another intriguing passenger on this slate of European flights -- Niko Lonza (Goran Visnjic), a United Nations attache from Yugoslavia. (Completely superficial moment -- was Visnjic not TO DIE FOR in those suits??) In London Kate (Kelli Garner) meets her British handler Roger (David Harbour), who informs her that Niko was the target of her next assignment. The only problem is, the handsome passenger has caught Maggie's (Christina Ricci) eye. Kate shows a lot of improvement in the spying and confidence departments in this episode (more on the latter in a minute), nicely reflected in how Roger, and later his US counterpart Richard (Jeremy Davidson) treat her. Kate's got moxie when she wants to exhibit it, and that is a must when taking on Maggie -- their romantic rivalry over Niko is HILARIOUS.



Wasn't the dress Kate wears in this episode absolutely FABULOUS?? Oh goodness it was amazing. Garner had some nice chemistry with Visnjic -- but then again, wouldn't you have to be a block of wood not to feel something around him? Just sayin'! *wink* However, I have really mixed feelings about how Kate's mission played out. After leveraging Niko's interest in her into a date, which allowed her to obtain a Russian spy's fingerprints at the casino they visit, the two sleep together (things don't get too explicit). Hooking up with Niko wasn't strictly necessary for the mission, and sleeping with him seemed a bit out of character for Kate -- agree or disagree? Prior to this she's been such a driven straight arrow -- it sort of felt to me that much like her sister, she was testing boundaries. I'm curious to see how this relationship plays out -- by the end of the episode it is abundantly clear that Kate is emotionally invested. But once Niko finds out she was assigned to gain his interest, I predict things will blow up in a spectacular fashion.

Once again Ted (Michael Mosley) proves that he can be a real charmer when he's motivated -- and he's increasingly eager to gain Laura's (Margot Robbie) good opinion. Laura is stressed because she wants to officially end things with her former fiance Greg, and can't do that until she tracks down the engagement ring she pawned -- which was then subsequently sold. A chance encounter with Ted at Pan Am headquarters leads to the two of them tag-teaming through the New York subway system in search of the missing ring. The constant ribbing banter between the two of them cracked me up (they're clearly perfect for each other, no? *wink*). And when Ted FINALLY admits that he traded his prized Rolex for Laura's ring, I could've swooned. The man does have a heart. :)

It seems like Monte Carlo brought out the reckless side of Kate and Dean. Dean's shenanigans with Ginny could in particular have severe repercussions, since Ginny just happens to be the "companion" of Everett Henson (Scott Cohen). Henson is a Pan Am vice president with the power to make or break Dean's career -- and surprisingly, Dean doesn't seem to care. He should be warned, though -- my read on Ginny's character is that she's not principled enough to sacrifice her future and security for an amorous rendezvous.

Looking forward to this weekend's episode!

Pan Am 1.4: "Eastern Exposure"

Pan Am's fourth episode was all about what makes Ted tick and the tensions simmering beneath the surface of the Cameron sisters' relationship. The Clipper Majestic is unexpectedly re-routed from Iceland to the Rangoon, all so fledgling spy Kate (Kelli Garner) can pick up a package and then deliver it on her next stop in Jakarta. It's getting to the point where Kate's -- how can I say this? -- nervousness, eagerness to prove herself, is getting on my nerves just a bit. I realize that she is experiencing a huge learning curve. But for this episode and the previous one I feel like there has been this unfortunate tendency for her to come across as whiny instead of, well, professional. However, I still really like Garner as an actress and her handle on the 1960s time period -- Kate does have an admirable amount of gumption, so I will be patient. :)

While I realize that Pan Am is filmed on backlots, etc., I loved the set up for the crew's visit to the Orient. The sunshine, the color, the sights & sounds were all gloriously realized on-screen. And for some reason this trip more than the previous really drove home for me what an opportunity a career as a Pan Am stewardess really was for women like Kate, Laura, Maggie, and Colette (Karine Vanasse). In an era when the ideal, touted in entertainment like The Donna Reed Show, was that women should aspire to be homemakers, working for Pan Am blew the doors to the world wide open for its employees. (I am in no way seeking to diminish the wife/homemaker role if that is what someone chooses -- only pointing to the fact that for a long time there were no other options.) I loved seeing Rangoon and Jakarta through Laura's (Margot Robbie) eyes -- the shyer, sheltered Cameron sister is really starting to open up and grow up thanks to the opportunities offered by her new job and budding friendship with the free-spirited Maggie (Christina Ricci).

I thought it was interesting how this storyline revealed Kate's control issues vis-a-vis Laura. When her mission seems on the verge of going sideways, she blames Laura. She wants her sister to grow up but doesn't really want to allow it -- because if she does, that has the potential to drastically alter their relationship and her identity. If she's not trailblazing, grown-up, sensible Kate -- the one who is as guilty of telling Laura what to do as their mother -- than who is she?

Ted (Michael Mosley) was in danger of becoming a caricature based on his behavior in the first Pan Am episodes -- he was too cocky, too self-assured, too entitled. But his bravado never really put me off (goodness I can really love a smart aleck), and in this episode we are finally treated to a revealing, and heartbreaking, glimpse into Ted's past. Ted was a Navy test pilot whose career was derailed after a crash that was blamed on pilot error (but was in reality mechanical failure). Ted's father, a wealthy government contractor, sacrificed his son's Naval pilot career (and chance to join the space program) on the altar of ambition. After THAT revelation, I just wanted to give Ted a big hug. When, with Laura's help, Ted finally gets the broken-down television to work in their Jakarta hotel so he can watch the Mercury 9 shuttle launch, the expression of childlike wonder and awe on his face is absolutely priceless -- very well played, Mosley.

I absolutely LOVED Ted and Laura's chemistry together during the television scene. She's in pajamas and curlers, fresh from an argument with Kate, and he's frustrated, pondering missed opportunities. I like how Ted so clearly likes Laura, but respects/realizes that she's perhaps not the usual kind of girl he encounters. Thus far Laura does not appear to be the type to succumb to fast talk and easy, charming manners. There's an attraction there, and the two characters seem to really like each other, but the show isn't forcing them to prematurely act on it -- and I like that, because I feel like Laura (ironically enough) could really help Ted grow up a bit.

It is also interesting how Ted wants to be respected on his own merits, -- which is why the fact that he's a copilot rankles since his experience with the Navy *should have* given him seniority over Dean (Mike Vogel). But he hasn't quite let go of the concept of favors or connections equalling advancement (even though, after our introduction to his father, we can assume Ted would be loathe to rely on him). The precedent set by Ted's privileged background runs deep in his character -- it will be interesting to see how he works through those issues. Also, I thought Dean's handling of Ted's blow-up was extremely classy.

Going forward, I hope the show continues to test the sisterly relationship between Kate and Laura, especially now that Laura's moved in with Maggie. My only concern is that I don't want to see Laura lose the sweetness that seems to be such a foundational aspect of her character as she tests her independence. Related to that, hopefully the realization that Kate has at the end of the episode, when Richard (Jeremy Davidson) gives her the "extra" photographs Laura took with the "spy camera" -- namely, that she doesn't want to alienate her sister -- will stick. I'd hate for too much tension to skew the very honest affection/frustration balance between them. (And speaking of Richard, how is Kate not just a puddle on the floor every time she has to talk with him? I LOVE HIS CHARACTER.)

So what did you all think? :)

Pan Am 1.3: "Ich Bin Ein Berliner"

I know I'm a couple of weeks behind on my Pan Am reviews, but that doesn't mean my interest in and appreciation for the show has changed -- life's just been a little crazy. *wink* This episode marked a distinct uptick in story quality in my opinion, and made the smart decision of nixing flashback scenes to focus on the characters wholly in the present. For our third flight, the crew of the Clipper Majestic flies to Berlin, coinciding with President Kennedy's famous Berlin Wall speech. Throwing the characters in the middle of such an iconic event is a smart move, and given the politics of the 1960s one hopes the show will continue to take advantage of real history instead of relying solely on spy adventures, etc.

Kate (Kelli Garner) is tasked with purchasing a book in Berlin by her handler Richard (Jeremy Davidson). I simple shopping trip should be her easiest mission yet -- but when her contact's cover is blown, Kate has a burned spy on her hands and no way of getting her safely out of Germany. Honestly, the spy storyline was the weakest aspect of this episode, and the weakest incorporation of the spy angle thus far in the show. While on the one hand I applaud Kate's "leave no contact behind" attitude -- she does a decent job standing up to her cranky British contact Roger (David Harbour) -- her whole handling of her burned contact's future just felt a little sloppy to me, and the mission gone sideways lacked a real sense of peril.

If Kate's storyline was relatively weak, this episode delivered extraordinarily fine moments for Collette (Karine Vanasse) and Maggie (Christina Ricci). This trip marks Collette's first to Germany -- with good reason. Her coworkers don't seem to be all that interested in delving into her palpable tension at the prospect of setting foot on German soil. It's not until their arrival that Dean (Mike Vogel), in a nice follow-up to the sweet flirtation he and Collette shared in Paris, pulls Collette aside and asks for the full story -- and it is revealed that Collette was three when the Nazis took Paris, and she lost her parents to the war. The show handled her flashbacks extraordinarily well. Lost in the crush of people jockeying for position to hear Kennedy's speech, Collette nearly has a panic attack remembering the sounds associated with the horror of her childhood. This was a fantastic, heart-wrenching way to give real depth to Collette's character, and Vanasse handles the material with extraordinary sensitivity -- very well done. The moment at the end of the episode, where Collette tells Kate that she went to Berlin to forgive, but can't, because the wounds of the past hurt too much -- oh that brought tears to my eyes. This show could've kept things at a "fluffy" level, but moments of emotional resonance like this elevate the storytelling to an extra special level.

The show has never really given us the free-spirited Maggie's background, but this episode drops big clues into what makes her tick and why she's so passionate about blazing her own path in the world. It's revealed that Maggie worked as a precinct captain during Kennedy's election campaign, believes passionately in his message, and missed an opportunity to meet him and say thanks -- until Pan Am takes her to Berlin, coinciding with his visit. Maggie's unflagging enthusiasm to experience Kennedy's speech and her determination to meet him serve as a wonderful window into the "magic" of the Kennedy Camelot era. And while the scene where she practically walks up to Air Force One on the Berlin airstrip (security has really changed, hasn't it?), I really liked how although she wasn't able to actually "meet" him, they made contact -- it felt authentic, and magically possible somehow.

Co-pilot Ted (Michael Mosley) finally starts to act a bit less like a cocky jerk in this episode -- he's still nauseatingly full of himself (HA!), but I love how the show is handling his interest in Laura (Margot Robbie). When he tries to make a pass at Laura in the Berlin crowd and is rebuffed -- but not exactly discouraged -- well you can tell that Laura is the first girl in quite a while to prove immune to his "charms." (She's moral and classy! What a novelty!) I like how he doesn't push things -- there's hope for you yet, Ted. :)

If you've kept up with Pan Am, I'd love to hear your thoughts! "Ich Bin Ein Berliner" was a standout in this show's thus-far short run, thanks to a politically (and personally) charged stopover in Berlin. I'm completely addicted to the look and feel of this show -- the sets, costumes, and MUSIC are just fantastic, every scene dripping with period flavor. And I really feel like the actors have an excellent feel for the mores and attitudes of the 1960s -- I really appreciate not being thrust out of the world of the show by a 21st-century anachronism or attitude. My goal is to have posts covering episodes four and five up sometime this week.