The dark side of the Kennedy family has, at least in The Kennedys mini-series, finally reared its ugly head. Rosemary Kennedy, and her illness, is said to be the first in the chronology of the Kennedy Curse. In the White House, Jack stares down the antithesis of a Southern Gentleman and Jackie begins to feel the effects of her drug use. This hour serves as a break from the international challenges the Kennedy family face, as we concentrate on their domestic ones.
I’m not sure that ‘Ole Miss was John Kennedy’s first great moment, but it most certainly was a great one (First would have to be PT-109, right?). I’m not sure this will come out right, but I’m actually pretty glad I didn’t have to live in that time of tension. I know we are far from race relations being harmonious in this country, but if it weren’t for efforts of men like John Kennedy and James Meredith in 1962, we would be in much worse shape.
The Lyndon Johnson in JFK’s Oval Office isn’t the same one I’ve been reading about my entire life. I’m more familiar with the guy that smacked Congress around on a daily basis. It was an interesting turn to see a much different man interacting with the Kennedy brothers. I’m not sure how much of him we’ll see in the back end of the mini-series, but I hope we see some of that juxtaposition.
I suppose the real story of Rosemary will probably never be completely told. Actually, I subscribe to the theory that it probably isn’t any of my business. In today’s climate, though, the story would have come out in Kennedy’s campaign. I’m sure it was the lobotomy, among other things (like Jack and Bobby freezing out Joe prior to his stroke), is most likely the basis of the Kennedy Family’s efforts to keep this movie off of the air.
That being said, there was a sad parallel between Rosemary and Joe in his later years. His asking Rose if firing Michelle was revenge was telling, as it was an overt act on her part. I’m not sure we’ve ever seen her take that kind of action before. If you accept this telling of Rosemary’s life as accurate (And I’m not sure I do), then Joe might have gotten what he deserved in the end. Lobotomies were only indicated in cases of psychiatric illness, which Rosemary was not diagnosed with.
(Take a look back at my reviews of Hour 1 & 2, Hour 3, and Hour 4)
Notes & Quotes
Clacked by Ivey West 
on Apr 08, 2011 @ 10:00 EST5EDT
