Delving deeper into the tumultuous heart of wartime Paris, Season 1, Episode 2 of "The New Look," titled "The Hour," masterfully intertwines the lives of Christian Dior and Coco Chanel in a gripping saga that encapsulates the intricate tapestry of survival and the perilous stakes of wartime. This episode stands as a testament to historical drama, vividly portraying the complexities and high tensions that defined the era.
The narrative resumes with Coco Chanel (portrayed by Juliette Binoche) being summoned by the ominous Commander Schellenberg, who unveils a chilling plan: to divest her Jewish partners of their assets, thus restoring control of her company to her grasp. However, this comes with a treacherous twist—Schellenberg drafts Chanel into a covert operation, tasking her with delivering a pivotal letter to Winston Churchill in Madrid, inadvertently branding her as a Nazi collaborator. As she steps into the shadowy realm of espionage, the gravity of her situation becomes palpable, with the fate of historical significance hanging by a fragile thread.
Concurrently, Catherine Dior (Maisie Williams), Christian's beloved sister, finds herself ensnared in a desperate plight within the infamous Nazi detention center known as The House. The haunting echoes of torment from neighboring cells serve as a grim soundtrack to her desperate circumstances, underscoring the urgency of her plight. Christian (played by Ben Mendelsohn), consumed by frenzied worry, embarks on a relentless quest to locate his sister, his emotional distress a testament to the unbreakable bond between siblings.
Christian's desperate endeavor to liberate Catherine propels him to seek assistance from various quarters, including the esteemed Lucien Lelong and Pierre Balmain. Their grave conversations reveal the slim hopes of success, hindered by the sheer lack of influence within the confines of The House. Yet, a flicker of hope ignites when the Swedish consul general engages in negotiations with the Germans for Catherine's release at Bar-le-Duc station, setting the stage for a harrowing and tense rescue mission, the outcome of which hangs in the balance.
Coco's mission takes a dramatic turn as she discovers that Churchill's absence from Madrid is due to illness. Her meticulously laid plans further disintegrate when Elsa Lombardi, Chanel's trusted companion and a British royal, betrays her after uncovering Chanel's collaboration with the Nazis. This treacherous act prompts Chanel's abrupt return to Paris, her mission in shambles, and her future shrouded in uncertainty.
In a poignant and emotional twist, Christian finds himself racing against the ticking clock to reach Bar-le-Duc station for what was supposed to be Catherine's liberation. Yet, the Germans betray their promise, and the train bearing Catherine speeds by without halting. Christian's frantic pleas for his sister fall on deaf ears as the train races away, leaving him with a haunting sense of powerlessness.
"The Hour" stands as a testament to the series' profound ability to encapsulate the tension and moral complexities of wartime. It delves deeply into the personal sacrifices and agonizing choices faced by individuals caught in the maelstrom of history. With its richly drawn characters and intricately woven plot, "The New Look" continues to offer a gripping portrayal of the lives of fashion's elite during one of humanity's darkest epochs. The episode concludes on a cliffhanger, leaving viewers on the edge of their seats and eagerly anticipating the next chapter in this dramatic saga.
