Episode 4 and 5 have solidly entrenched this series as a masterclass in storytelling in my eyes. Both episodes juxtaposes the lives of the attic dwellers to that of Miep to illustrate themes of family, friendship, innocence, and love.
In Episode 4, we see Miep yearning for a chance for some jovial fun at a party as a way to forget about her current situation. But seeing how the war has irrevocably changed her life and those that she know, she finds comfort and protection in the humble family gathering on Hanukkah in the Opekta attic. In this moment, we realize that Miep needs the Franks as much as they need her: they are her north star in the dark to remind herself of her sense of humanity.
In Episode 5, the trivial and comedic retelling of Anne's teenage love is starkly juxtaposed against Miep and Jan maintaining their love for each other while facing constant danger on the outside. As viewers, we are reminded of the humanity of those that were in hiding, and that there were those on the outside who were fighting just as hard to help preserve them. Miep and Jan standing in a field of tulips (which earlier in the episode was a field of manure - also literally the name of the episode) is breathtakingly symbolic.
In both episodes, we see Miep and Jan keeping to maintain their innocence, their morality, then humanity against the changing world. They draw on each other for strength and look to the Franks to help them find themselves. It is in the attic where innocence, morality, and humanity are preserved.
If there were no dialogue in this series, we'd still get all that we need to know from Bel Powley's expressive eyes. They harden with anger, widen in fear, roll in exasperation, and weep in sadness. And it is those eyes that help to tell the story of Miep. Whatever awards there are, give it all to Bel Powley.
In Episode 4, we see Miep yearning for a chance for some jovial fun at a party as a way to forget about her current situation. But seeing how the war has irrevocably changed her life and those that she know, she finds comfort and protection in the humble family gathering on Hanukkah in the Opekta attic. In this moment, we realize that Miep needs the Franks as much as they need her: they are her north star in the dark to remind herself of her sense of humanity.
In Episode 5, the trivial and comedic retelling of Anne's teenage love is starkly juxtaposed against Miep and Jan maintaining their love for each other while facing constant danger on the outside. As viewers, we are reminded of the humanity of those that were in hiding, and that there were those on the outside who were fighting just as hard to help preserve them. Miep and Jan standing in a field of tulips (which earlier in the episode was a field of manure - also literally the name of the episode) is breathtakingly symbolic.
In both episodes, we see Miep and Jan keeping to maintain their innocence, their morality, then humanity against the changing world. They draw on each other for strength and look to the Franks to help them find themselves. It is in the attic where innocence, morality, and humanity are preserved.
If there were no dialogue in this series, we'd still get all that we need to know from Bel Powley's expressive eyes. They harden with anger, widen in fear, roll in exasperation, and weep in sadness. And it is those eyes that help to tell the story of Miep. Whatever awards there are, give it all to Bel Powley.
