Episode 3: Ich Bin Ein Berliner

Original Air Date: 10/9/11

Okay, this has got to be one of my personal favorites. So many things are going on in this episode, that I'm not even sure where to start!

So, I'll start from the beginning. Seems as good a place as any. Kate has got another assignment! She needs to bring a book back from Germany. The only German I know is the bad words, so couldn't put my knowledge to use here. Haha. But still, Germany is a place I've always wanted to visit. ANYWAY! So, I was like, "um...okay. What is the importance of a book?" I never really did find out what they wanted with it, but oh well. Who are we to question the government?

The rest of the stewardesses are buzzing about Berlin. Everyone seems excited...except Colette. I had my theories (being a WWII enthusiast LOL) because even though the end of the war was almost hitting that 20 year anniversary, wounds take a long time to heal. I mean, I know people who STILL haven't recovered! I can't say I know first hand what Berlin was like in the 60's, but I can't imagine it would be a very joyful place. 

There is another cute Dean/Colette moment, but it kind of feels like she's shooting down the idea of their relationship to be anything more than "a moment". It was a cute moment, but perhaps, that's all it was. Maybe...we'll see. I hope there is more of them later!

Maggie is just hilarious in this episode. I can't blame her. Despite my political beliefs, I must say that meeting the President in 2004 was one of the highlights of my life. It's one of those once in a lifetime things that you really just can't pass up if the opportunity arises. So, our Maggie, on a plane full of reporters, goes to work, trying to find that one gem that will get her in with the press. Because she MUST.MEET.PRESIDENT.KENNEDY. I must say, listening to her story about working on his campaign was amusing. She did manage to meet a young (very good looking) reporter named Mike and she begins to work her charms. Needless to say after some finagling, she got her Press Pass.

Kate earned some MAJOR points in my opinion in this episode. As she's getting ready to go into the bookstore, a young woman pulls up and frantically tells her to get in the car. Once inside, the girl tells her that the Secret Police have discovered her and she failed to make the drop. Kate realizes that they probably know her car, so in an attempt to make a run for it, they ditch the car and make their way back to the hotel. Kate is made aware that nothing will be done to help the girl, but she can't accept that, and tries to come up with a plan to save her. However, before she can think of something, Laura comes by so they can leave to go see the President's speech. The German girl tells Kate to go, as the others will suspect something is wrong if she doesn't. Leaving the girl in the room, Kate joins Laura, Colette and Ted to go see the speech.

They are lost in a sea of people, trying to make their way to get a good spot. An elderly gentleman notices them and asks if they are Americans. He takes them to a building where they watch Kennedy's speech from a window. Best seat in the house in my opinion!

We learned in this episode that Colette was three when the Nazi's invaded. She lost her family in the war and has some flashbacks of soldiers storming up the stairs when they were climbing upwards in the building. It was a very powerful moment and a glimpse into some of the horrible things Colette had to endure growing up.

Everyone was moved by the speech. I was actually quite shocked when I saw Ted cross into what Kate referred to as "restricted airspace". He took Laura's hand and they shared a glance. It was really one of those "awe" moments for me. My heart jumped when he tried to kiss her. Of course, Laura turned away and dropped his hand. The "awe" moment had passed. It was the first time I really thought much of the Ted/Laura pairing and I hoped they would revisit that in future episodes.

At this point, Maggie still had yet to meet the President. She is such a smart lady though! She came up with a plan for the girls to get into the party at the U.S. Mission! 

Kate uses this as a way to help her German counterpart. She dresses the girl up in her Pan Am uniform and the two join the rest of the group to get in. Dean vouches for the girls and Maggie of course goes into full on President hunting mode. Kate takes the German courier to find someone to help her, a move that saves the girl, but gets Kate reprimanded. I think Kate did the right thing though. It took guts!

A slightly intoxicated (but who can blame her) Colette runs into Dean. She is still very bitter about the war and winds up saying things that needed to be said, but probably shouldn't have been said. After an apology, she sings the German National Anthem. I'm actually surprised she didn't burst into tears before she began, but she muscled through it. 

Miss Maggie still has yet to meet the President. He had left the party just before the girls arrived. When she and Laura are at the airport, they spot Air Force One and Maggie knows it's her last chance. She tells Laura to tell the girls she got sick, grabs some Cubans from Ted and is off! In the end, she doesn't MEET him, but gets a wave from the President after he is given the cigars. I guess that was enough for her. She is obviously extremely happy!

There is a bit of tension between Ted and Laura as they arrive home and are welcoming passengers back to New York. He offers her breakfast, but she declines. Ted is clearly hurt, but I  have a sneaky suspicion he won't give up so easily! He tells Laura that she is "different from other girls". And this girl was just saying, "AWE!"