'World on Fire' Brings Fear, Disruption & Loss Across Europe

As the second episode of World on Fire begins, we're one month into the war and our characters continue to grapple with love and loss, and make irrevocable decisions. Watch the seires' opening titles closely — in this episode the images we see in quick succession include a collage of happy family photos before the war mixed with the British government’s war maps, rifles, suitcases abandoned on a railroad station covered with dust and rubble, and a woman drawing stocking seams onto her legs. I think that’s probably Lois, who, still ambivalent about whether she should accept an offer from ENSA, is auditioning with her friend and pianist Connie (Ysa Daley-Ward).

Robina: I thought it was the Jews who are in trouble. Why isn’t he Jewish?
Harry: Would you like me to go back and exchange him?

We’ll be staying in Manchester for a while as Harry has arrived home with little Jan. Robina’s face, as she watches them get out of the taxi, is a mask of wordless horror. She continues to needle her son in between outraged claims that she has no maternal instincts whatsoever, a claim that's probably not a surprise to anyone. After walking in on Harry shaving, she makes a snide remark about his intention to go socializing that evening. She adds, as a throwaway comment, that his razor is “the blade he used, your father.” It’s easy to write off Robina as a 100% horrible person but I believe she is probably more damaged by her past and World War I than we know at the moment.