IR TV Review: THE REGIME - EPISODE 5 (“All Ye Faithful”) [HBO]
The trajectory of Elena in "The Regime" has always been one of inevitability. With her disconnection from reality and the essence of her rule, it is just a matter of time. With the previous episodes progression of Kiplinger (Hugh Grant) and the incarceration of Herbert (Matthias Schoenaerts), the idea of redemption might have given way to reason. This was all placed in jeapordy at the end of Episode 5 with a dream for Herbert becoming reality. Cut to 6 months later in Episode 6 (entitled "All Ye Faithful") and things are progressing as one would think in such a situation. The element of satire and the would-be chancellor's weak grasp on reality plays like a thwarted game of strategy. Special interests abound but the idea of what would allow this to happen is bewildering (but not out of the question -- because of certain recent occurrences). The use of a therapist is particularly interesting and the way the dynamic between Elena and Herbert changes,
The interesting angle is how the would-be "Strangelove" structure was allowed to function. But that is part of the black comedy of it all. As the episode builds, it just shows the element of doing too little too late. Best practices for this regime doesn't work but unlike certain dictatorships where it is all about making money, the Chancellor's idea comes apart because of Herbert and the loss of profitability in the wakes of their skewed principles (if they can be called that). The person who initially was supposed to prop up the government destroys it in a way from the inside. With the season finale approaching in the next episode, it is just a question of the final endgame. One specific moment in this episode really becomes the primal aspect of survival but it also shows the person that is truly loyal to Elena. Whether or not this encourages a enlightenment is unlikely since the pendulum of this woman moves back and forth. Kate Winslet as Elena knows exactly what she is doing but the narrative must dictate where she must end. B
By Tim Wassberg
