Atlantic Crossing Review: Tomme løfter (Season 1 Episode 5)

On Atlantic Crossing Season 1 Episode 5, “Tomme løfter,” the Crown Princess of Norway wants to be more involved in the war effort and help her country, but some of the people around her aren’t too keen on this development. 

Märtha (Sofia Helin) got a taste of political affairs on Atlantic Crossing Season 1 Episode 4, “Ild og vann,” and is riding that high into this episode—her first order of business being to host a dinner for American politicians to urge them to vote for the Lend-Lease Act.  

The bill passes, but victory is short-lived. Three months later, the situation is still dire in Europe, and the munitions they expected from the U.S. have yet to arrive. Märtha starts to think the President’s assuagements and his legislation are just empty promises—tomme løfter—the title of the episode. 

Not only does her close friend, Franklin (Kyle MacLachlan), disappoint her, but her husband does, too.

Crown Prince Olav (Tobias Santelmann) does little to celebrate the fact that his enterprising wife got the bill into motion and secured the passage of it in Congress. During the dinner, he makes all sorts of sour faces when the Norwegian sailor appears at the head of the table as Märtha’s honored guest. Then he admonishes her for taking a risk and not talking to him about it. 

The dinner is a success, largely due to her special guest, but he focuses selfishly on being left out of the loop and what could’ve gone wrong but didn’t. And later, he has no problem taking credit for what she has achieved. 

Märtha is no timid wallflower, at least not anymore, and she rightfully stands up for herself with her husband, the President of the United States, and the First Lady. 

She, no doubt, senses the cold shoulder Eleanor Roosevelt (Harriet Samson Harris) has continued to give her, but that doesn’t stop her from asking for help with her public speaking. Eleanor finally warming to Märtha is the highlight of the episode. 

Eleanor: To be perfectly honest, when you first arrived, I saw a shy and complacent princess, with a narrow and subjective perspective on the events that now shake our world, but I realize I’ve been wrong about you, Märtha. Do you still want my help?

I asked for more Eleanor in my review of Atlantic Crossing Season 1 Episode 4, “Ild og vann,” and that wish was granted with the bonus of a budding friendship between the First Lady and the princess. Eleanor teaching Märtha “how to be embarrassed” is utterly delightful. This is so much better than the catty gossiping Eleanor was doing with ole stick-in-the-mud Missy LeHand (Lucy Russell), who I dislike even more now. 

She’s much more jealous than she has any right to be, and her desperation and derision toward Märtha are growing tiresome. Her tearful pleading to Franklin is very cringey, but that’s not the only awkward moment. 

A kiss I could see coming from the first episode arrives. Well, it’s an almost kiss, but still so awkward. Franklin has the audacity to make this move, and it’s pretty clear that Märtha doesn’t want this type of advance from him.

It’s an unsettling ending to a rather stagnant episode. 

Stray Observations:

• I love that Alfred (Fridtjov Såheim), the Norwegian sailor, makes another appearance. 
• Not the slow clap, Franklin, yeesh.
• Another nice personal moment that’s similar to the one Märtha had with Alfred on Episode 5 “Ild og vann,” are the exchanges she shares with a young sailor staying in her home. 
• I’m so happy that Ulla and Rolf are safe and reunited with their father in London.
• So I asked for more Eleanor and got that; let’s see if it works again: Less Missy, please!

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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