‘The Larkins’ Recap: ‘In Which Ma’s Sister Bertha Comes to Visit’

Written by John Edward Betancourt

Caution: This article contains spoilers for Episode Five of ‘The Larkins’.
​
It is definitely safe to say that The Larkins on Acorn TV, is quickly becoming one of the most fascinating shows on television right now. In part because it is a period piece, which is rare in this era of peak television. But also, because it is doing a phenomenal job of exploring how little some aspects of modern society have changed since the 1950s and what matters most, is that it is doing so in a unique and dynamic manner. For it isn’t using this exploration to rip modern mankind to shreds and say we’re awful. It is simply pointing out that the human condition is a bit more universal and constant than we normally acknowledge and that how we escape old habits is simpler than expected, and for proof that this is the case, look no further than the show’s next episode.

For ‘In Which Ma’s Sister Bertha Comes to Visit’ featured three separate storylines that examined all of those elements and perhaps it is best to start with the one that relates to the episode’s title. Since the arrival of Bertha at the Larkins homestead, took the time to remind us of the fact that sibling rivalry is a time-honored tradition, as is our desire to have others view us in a positive light. Since Bertha was big on showing off the new Jag her family picked up, at every chance that was available, in an effort to make her sister jealous. Because she was in turn jealous, and this was just quirky and fun to sit through. Simply because it really did hammer home the nature of family and how little has changed regarding that over the past seventy years or so.

However, that’s not the only aspect of the world that hasn’t changed during that time frame. Since Pop’s journey in this tale, had him working hard to keep Tom’s plans to change the town at bay. Simply because Pop realized that Tom was undoubtedly going to change the landscape of the home he loved and well, he was right to stand up to Tom in the manner he did. Since the man did assemble grand plans to rip the town apart and make it a tourist attraction, and he lied about those changes to win over the good people of Kent, so he could sneak those other changes in and well… this definitely echoes our modern world. Since we too have concerns about corporations and men with deep pockets buying up cities and transforming them into tourist traps designed to bring about profits over anything else and it was a tad eerie to be reminded of the fact that greed in the name of progress has been around this long. 

But there was mention of three storylines that showed us how little the world has changed in this time frame and the final one, was quite relatable. Since it involved Charley’s push to finally woo Mariette, and his quest for love was filled to the brim with big showy moments and fear and doubt and well, that pretty much sums up the fact that love and our pursuit of it is still just as terrifying and uncomfortable as it has always been. Since it requires pure vulnerability on our part and a real push toward honesty and this really made for some honest and earnest moments and quite the cliffhanger too thanks to Tom’s game playing with Mariette’s heart, and really, seeing the quirks and fears of love and all of these other parallels definitely begs an important question in the viewer’s mind.

In that, what is the point of showcasing the fact that the world hasn’t changed all that much? Because while these parallels are fascinating in their own right and relatable, we as a species want to grow and change and become more and this almost implies that we cannot. But thankfully Bertha and Ma’s honesty with one another in this tale, and Pop’s push to rally the community to preserve Kent, and Charley’s decision to follow his heart, are what taught us exactly how we are overlooking the simple steps toward change. For it we were open and honest with one another and our feelings and worked as a community, these parallels would no longer exist. Making this quite the poignant episode, one that speaks volumes to the fact that this show can do it all. Since it can be a fluffy and fun ride one week, and a powerful observer of who we are the next, and it will be quite interesting to see where this unique show is headed thematically, as we inch toward the end of season one. Until next time.  

---