The Republic of Sarah Review: The Lines Between Us (Season 1 Episode 3)
Maintaining a steady pace helps The Republic of Sarah Season 1 Episode 3, “The Lines Between Us,” tell a more realistic story.
Of course, there is a limit to the realism we are talking about because this is a story about a small New Hampshire town that is transforming into a country.
But even when we suspend disbelief and it’s not in a rush, The Republic of Sarah has a problem with telling instead of showing.
Governor Gail Taggert is the quintessential villain for a “small-town” drama. Of course, we know that most residents of Greylock oppose her decisions.
We are only told about the resistance she faces in the state of New Hampshire, but her residents’ reactions to the protests in Greylock are the catalyst to her opening the border the first time.
I don’t want to discourage teenagers from speaking out about important issues in real life. In this case, the fact that one protest organized by a bunch of teens (that has no consequences at all) would inspire a governor to take any action at all is quite ridiculous.
The whole border issue is resolved very quickly. But The Republic of Sarah structures each episode around one town problem. Only personal issues are allowed to be complex.
On “The Lines Between Us,” even some of the personal issues are random.
It’s just an editing issue, but the fire at Grover’s house pops up so suddenly in the middle of an act, it’s impossible to feel the emotional impact we should.
Grover setting fire to his own house to regain some control over his life is a genius story detail. It’s easy to understand both why he does it and that his actions are showing his friends that he needs more help than they can give him dealing with his wife’s death.
The fire is just so sudden and its damage so inconsequential that by the time we absorb the full impact, the scene has been over for a while.
Similarly, it is too early and random for Bella’s dad to threaten to send her to boarding school. It’s still hard to care about the teenagers at all.
Don’t worry — The Republic of Sarah‘s strength is still in its personal stories.
Corinne and Sarah’s spat and its resolution are totally understandable. I’d be mad at my best friend if they failed to tell me about my estranged brother’s engagement, too.
Considering her history with Danny, who can blame Corinne for not wanting to explain why she knows in the first place, though?
It’s going to get boring if Sarah is constantly in jail and let out so quickly. But I do appreciate the fact that Sarah’s issue with Corrine is handled and she patches things up with Grover a bit more on the same episode.
TV dramas require drama, of course. But dragging a conflict out — whether it’s a platonic or romantic one — often weakens the plot more than anything.
TV also has to feel relatable sometimes. The fact is, sometimes we fight with people we love and get over it really quickly.
Danny’s relationship with his family, particularly his mom Ellen, is the only drawn-out drama we need on The Republic of Sarah. We know their history is tough.
Plus, it involves physical abuse; we expect the relationship to take a long time to heal because of the literal physical scars and deep emotional ones.
The premise of The Republic of Sarah is tolerable because a standard family drama without the whole “starting a nation” thing is a hard sell.
It is surprising to keep saying that the personal drama is what is keeping The Republic of Sarah unique.
What did you think of this episode of The Republic of Sarah? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
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The Republic of Sarah airs Mondays at 9/8c on The CW.
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Esme Mazzeo
Esme Mazzeo is a lifestyle and entertainment journalist from Long Island. When she's not writing for work, she's writing for fun, or searching for something to satisfy her sweet tooth. She thinks rainy days are the best kind of days. Certified night owl.