Atlantic Crossing Review: Stormtid (Season 1 Episode 6)
On Atlantic Crossing Season 1 Episode 6, “Stormtid,” the Crown Prince and Princess are separated by more than just distance, and more than just their marriage is at stake.
The episode begins with the historic attack on Pearl Harbor which is the catalyst for the U.S. to officially join the Allies in the war. A cleverly placed calendar that shows the day as December 7th tips us off on what is to come.
However, the turmoil that Märtha (Sofia Helin) and Olav (Tobias Santelmann) have ahead of them is not hinted at but builds steadily throughout the episode, providing great tension and drama. While I don’t love the romantic implications between the princess and the president, the rest of the story does not suffer because of it. To my chagrin, I might have to admit that it helps it along.
I do think the same dramatic conflict could be achieved with Märtha and Franklin (Kyle MacLachlan) having a strong bond strictly of friendship.
Much like The Crown, Atlantic Crossing is “inspired by true events,” and does not claim to be a historical account. Writer and creator Alexander Eik told Town & Country that liberties were taken because there is no record of how they behaved with one another in private. “We have little clues about what she felt for him, so, we were forced to imagine what she felt. But we know that he was very infatuated with her,” he said.
Märtha and Franklin’s close relationship is subjected to the rumor mill, and more than just tabloids are paying attention. The Norwegian cabinet criticizes her comportment with the American president, and Olav takes great offense. “I demand an immediate apology,” he says, standing stiffly (kind of like a soldier at attention) at the head of the table next to his father, King Haakon VII (Søren Pilmark).
It’s an odd moment, for sure, and then made even more awkward when he discusses it with the King later.
Haakon: Damn fool.
Olav: I put him in his place, at least.
Haakon: I’m talking about you.
Oof.
From then on, throughout this episode, Olav acts like a privileged brat. He bails as soon as the cabinet and his father dispute him, running away like some melodramatic teenager. It’s a trip that prevents both Ragni (Anneke von der Lippe) and Nikolai (Lasse Kolsrud) from attending their only daughter’s wedding.
It is selfish and thoughtless of him, and he continues this behavior for the remainder of the episode. The look on his face is often childlike, and he seems lost and out of his depth. Fueled by gossip and rumors, Olav starts to believe there is something between his wife and President Roosevelt, but he doesn’t give Märtha a chance to explain.
They are no longer a united front, and she tells him this bluntly.
Olav: We have to appear as one.
Märtha: But we aren’t. We are a divided family.
Olav is not hearing anything he wants to hear, and he doesn’t react rationally in those instances.
Märtha tries to put some distance between herself and Franklin to diffuse the rumors and appease her husband, but their connection is too great. They are both in a place where they feel alone without anyone to talk to who would understand except for each other.
And thank goodness for that because if Franklin hadn’t been visiting Märtha and the kids at her summer house that night the German invasion might have been successful. Luckily, the Secret Service is there and no harm befalls anyone.
The two are instructed to hunker down in the basement together and there is a wonderful exchange between them that shows how deep their bond goes. MacLachlan’s delivery here is fantastic and his monologue is poetic. Franklin tells Märtha of a dream he had and she is riveted, hanging on every word.
Without you, Märtha, my ship has lost its sails.
Stray Observations:
- Did Missy’s intense jealousy give her a stroke?!
- Sorry your parents couldn’t be here, Ulla, will a message from the King of Norway suffice?
- I knew Eliza couldn’t be trusted! How dare she befriend sweet Ragni under deceptive pretenses.
- I feel bad for Missy, but I am also excited at the possibility of it being the last we see of her.
- Eliza better be found out and get the reckoning she deserves.
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.
3 comments
Inappropriate as it is, the chemistry between the President and Martha is great. I really feel they understand the burden both bear. I agree Olav after so selfishly and immaturally.
1 is Crown princess Martha Swedish and not Norwegian?
2 was Crown princess Martha at President Roosevelt bedside when he died?
1. Yes, Crown Princess Martha was a Swedish princess before she married Crown Prince Olav of Norway.
2. No, Martha was not with President Roosevelt when he died. AFAIK there’s no record of her being in Warm Springs at all. The historical record tells that his former love, Lucy Mercer Rutherfurd (Eleanor Roosevelt’s former social secretary), was with him.
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