Netflix's latest limited series, "All The Light We Cannot See," whisks audiences back to the tumultuous era of World War II, merging wartime struggles with narratives of hope.
This historical drama series captures the intertwined lives of Marie-Laure, a French resistance radio operator, and a German soldier on a mission to apprehend illicit broadcasters in the quaint coastal town of Saint-Malo.
Given the show's condensed format of just four hour-long episodes, recapping previous developments before diving into the next episode might be a wise strategy for viewers.
Episode 1 introduces us to the picturesque town of Saint-Malo in 1944, as the US Army Air Force 565 Bomb Squadron soars overhead. Amidst this aerial activity, young Marie-Laure LeBlanc (played by Aria Mia Loberti) transmits a radio message, desperately seeking the return of her missing uncle and father.
Despite a nearby bomb detonation, Marie-Laure remains undeterred, continuing her transmission and reading Jules Verne's "20,000 Leagues Under The Sea" in Braille due to her blindness. Her broadcast attracts the attention of German soldier Werner Pfennig (Louis Hoffman), stationed at the Nazi-centric Hotel of Bees in Saint-Malo. As Werner becomes engrossed in her narration, his superior interrupts, urging him to have a drink, suggesting their end is imminent. Werner reveals his youthful habit of illicitly tuning into international radio broadcasts, especially one from frequency 13:10. While this channel disappeared during the war, it recently resurfaced in Saint-Malo. As Werner recalls this, bombs rain down, causing the building's collapse.
The scene shifts to introduce Reinhold von Rumpel (Lars Eidinger), a Gestapo officer undeterred by the ongoing bombings, indulging in mussels and wine. Rumpel's quest for a treasured gem known to be in Marie-Laure's possession is revealed, emphasizing its significance to Hitler. When Rumpel fails to extract Marie-Laure's address from the waiter, he resorts to lethal force.
Amidst the rubble, Werner emerges, searching for repair materials for his broken radio, despite facing accusations of looting from the locals and a confrontational officer.
In a contrasting setting, Marie-Laure acquaints herself with a wooden model of Saint-Malo, which her father had used a decade earlier to help her navigate the town despite her visual impairment.
A flashback highlights a young Marie-Laure's visit to the museum managed by her father, Daniel LeBlanc (Mark Ruffalo). They explore bird sound recordings and a showcased diamond. However, a gem named the Sea of Flames captivates Marie-Laure's curiosity, and her father warns her of its rumored curse.
Fast-forwarding to 1944, Marie-Laure's quest for bread leads her to a store where she reunites with her uncle, Etienne LeBlanc (Hugh Laurie), now a resistance member. He reveals the coded messages in her readings and guides her on subsequent broadcasts.
Werner's past is also revisited, revealing his early fascination with radios and the mysterious broadcasts from frequency 13:10, which broadened his horizons.
An officer gifts Werner a new radio and introduces him to a fellow recruit from the National Political Institute of Education. Werner's covert listening to Marie-Laure's transmissions is jeopardized, but he suspects this recruit is concealing something.
Rumpel's relentless pursuit for Marie-Laure intensifies as he seeks information about her location, eventually resorting to bribing a local for details.
Marie-Laure, on air, reminisces about the familiar professor from 13:10. As Werner listens in, his new recruit's presence threatens the discovery of his secret radio channel. Werner confronts the recruit about his dubious credentials, leading to a life-threatening confrontation, forcing Werner to act in self-defense.
The episode's climax unfolds in the town's catacombs, where Marie-Laure seeks mussels for sustenance. Her peaceful moment is interrupted by Rumpel, driven by his desperate need for the Sea of Flames, believed to have healing powers. As Rumpel's patience wanes, Marie-Laure faces a grave threat, leaving viewers on the edge of their seats with the sound of a gunshot.
