Atlantic Crossing Review: Gaven (Season 1 Episode 7)
On Atlantic Crossing Season 1 Episode 7, “Gaven,” two of the important men in the Crown Princess’s life give her difficulty, but she still manages a big triumph.
Olav (Tobias Santelmann) and Franklin (Kyle MacLachlan) are playing an emotional tug of war with Märtha (Sofia Helin). She even goes back and forth between London and America to try and sort things out. And to add insult to injury, the dangerous close call with the kids at the hands of spy Eliza (Kirsti Lovas) prompts Ragni (Anneke von der Lippe) to resign.
It is heartbreaking to watch Olav be so cold with her, for Franklin to be dismissive of her requests, and for Ragni to leave her at such a tough time. Märtha really goes through the wringer on “Gaven”. However, it does make sense to add all this angst and put up these big obstacles for the penultimate episode.
Olav acted like a childish brat on Atlantic Crossing Season 1 Episode 6, “Stormtid,” and on this episode, he doubles down, being downright stubborn and ornery. Although I do commend him for fighting for General Fleischer (Stig Amdam)—it’s extremely unfortunate that the recognition comes too late.
His attitude toward Märtha is awful. He belittles her campaigning, tries to separate the children from her, and will not stand by her as she accepts the great gift from America to the Allies on Norway’s behalf.
Märtha was told to use her friendship with President Roosevelt to get U.S. support, and she did just that. It’s an incredibly difficult position to be in the middle of what these two men want while trying to do what is best for her country. Olav condemns her and gives her, in not so many words, an ultimatum to which she agrees, forcing her to forsake her genuine bond with Franklin.
Franklin: Was it all because of this?
Märtha: Yes.
Franklin: No, you’re lying. I can see it.
It’s great that Eleanor Roosevelt (Harriet Samson Harris) comes to her defense with both Franklin and Olav. It’s so important, especially now, that Märtha has someone in her corner.
On Atlantic Crossing Season 1 Episode 5, “Tomme løfter,” Märtha was able to break through the smug wall Eleanor had put up, and they became friends. Eleanor going out of her way to confront Olav shows that their friendship is true.
You love to see it.
Hopefully, Olav will take what Eleanor said to heart. The fate of their marriage, as well as the relationship between Franklin and Märtha, are unclear—I can see this going a number of ways, so I am looking forward to the finale episode and seeing how it all ends.
Stray Observations:
- Franklin: He hasn’t done anything to protect you.
Märtha: Actually, he has. He made sure I was under your protection.
This really sums up the rock and the hard place in which the princess finds herself. - “She’s a truly remarkable person, Olav.”
- The General Fleischer subplot, while a bit too peripheral, is very tragic.
- Good on Princess Ragnhild for sensing something was amiss.
- Eliza is arrested! [insert Elmo Rise GIF here]
What did you think of this episode of Atlantic Crossing? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
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Atlantic Crossing airs Sundays at 9/8c on PBS.
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Erin Allen
Erin is a former script supervisor for film and television. She's an avid fan of middle aged actresses, dark dramas, and irreverent comedies. She loves to read actual books and X-Files fan fiction. Her other passions include pointing out feminist issues, shipping Mulder and Scully, and collecting pop culture mugs.