I didn’t expect to cry the way I did over episode 3 of Love Story: John F. Kennedy Jr. & Carolyn Bessette. It wasn’t an ugly cry. It was tears just falling down my cheeks and this want for someone to wrap their arms around me and tell me it’s going to all be okay. Because for some reason, watching this episode made me feel alone and also guilty. Guilty for the Kennedy’s to always have to put on a brave face, especially because they are humman and it’s the public that immortalizes them.
There will never be another Camelot. We have been blessed to have had at least one. And no matter what Kennedy ever steps into power, the legacy of JFK, Jackie, JFK Jr., and Caroline will live on forever in history.
And I do think that Jackie was correct when she said that there will never be another Camelot. Watching this episode I was reminder of her saying that, but even more so that as we look at the Kennedy family now – we need to appreciate the ones of the past.
Do we know their true story? No. That’s between them and God. Watching this, we don’t know if what happened surrounding Jackie’s passing is correct. What I know – watching this – is that episode after episode is that I am reminded that these are based on real people.
And that’s the thing – real people. We treat celebrities as if they are superhuman. Back in the day the media was different and ruthless. Not sayng that they aren’t now.
When Jackie died in 1994, the world mourned, but JFK Jr. and Caroline were really the ones that needed grace and distance. They lost their mother and that is an unbelievable crippling pain that no one should have to go through. Being a member of the Dead Parents Club – it’s hard enough.
And the majority of this episode was about Jackies final days.
I think that we need to give a lot of credit to Naomi Watts and her performance in these last three episodes. I love her in so many things so no surprise that I love her here. It’s the way that she manages to carry of this strength that is so subtle and also so apparent. I am not sure of how she manages to take on these roles of iconic people and make them her own, but not take away from the people she’s playing.
Watching this series – part of the reason that I love it so much is the acting. Sarah Pidgeon brings to life Carolyn Bessette, and Paul Anthony Kelly brings to life JFK Jr, and both so striking in their roles. However in this episode it is Paul Anthony Kelly’s time to shine, alongside Naomi Watts.
I know little about Paul Anthony Kelly, but I do know that he’s fantastic as JFK Jr. and that – I am going to need to see him in more. He’s got this presence, but you can also see that he embodies the role that he takes on. The man has good range and you see that from the first time that you see him in episode one, and it continues to impress.
We see a moment where JFK Jr. runs into Carolyn at a diner. She’s with Michael – after taking him to see his Calvin Klein add on the side of a building. You can see that Michael is happy that she’s spending time with him and that he loves her. Michael seems distraught when JFK Jr. walks over, but JFK Jr – well he seems jealous.
That had to be intimidating – the worlds most eligible bachelor interrupting your date.
But that’s the thing, he never intimidated Carolyn. She didn’t care who he was. She just cared to be around her. When he meets her in a park and they just talk – I just have to say you can’t deny the chemistry between Kelly and Pidgeon radiates off the screen. The two embody their roles and that’s what makes this show so good.
I do think that we also need to give Grace Gummer her props here. She’s killing it as Caroline Kennedy. The scene where JFK Jr. has to tell her that their Mom passed? You can’t but not wanna jump through the screen and comfort her. Caroline has always seemed guarded and I can respect that. I am just always curious about her and again, though I know that we’re dealing with a fictionalized person, there is just something intriguing about it all the same.
Bringing to life JFK Jr.’s final moments with his Mom, his interactions with Daryl Hannah, as well at the final few minutes of this episode – nothing about this episode seemed like it would not be taxing. But Kelly rises to the task with ease.
Especially in the last few minutes of the episode.
Pacing in Bessette’s apartment, after having buried his Mom, and her being the only person he wanted to see. There weren’t words coming out but that spoke volumes to the chemistry that is radiating off the screen. The scene was powerful and beautiful.
It made this girl cry.
Love Story: John F. Kennedy Jr. & Carolyn Bessette keeps evolving, showing its strength in story telling, as well as casting. You can’t turn away from watching this show.
The countdown is on for episode four, this coming Thursday on FX.
