World On Fire Season 2 Episode 6 Recap

As the episode opens, Harry Chase (Jonah Hauer-King) asks why he should accompany casualties to Tobruk. Captain Briggs (Jonathan Harden) claims the officers are saying the death of Sergeant Stan Raddings (Blake Harrison) has left him in no shape to lead. Harry describes the rumors as “nonsense.” Briggs points out that his father reacted in the same manner. Harry scolds him for mentioning his father until Briggs threatens him with insubordination. Briggs gives him three options – return to active after a month in Tobruk, get a psychiatric evaluation, or a medical discharge with full honors. Harry joins the casualties.

Sir James Danemere (Mark Bonnar) explains to Kasia Tomaszeski (Zofia Wichlacz) what she needs to do upon arriving in Poland. He warns her once she is committed, there will be no backing out. She assures him that it is what she wants to do.

Henriette (Eugenie Derouand) alerts David (Gregg Sulkin) of there being little time. They wait a short distance from the seashore for a signal. He complains about sailing. She warns that he has no other option when they spot the signal. Starting toward the waiting boat, he turns to look at her before promising to meet her in Paris after the war. She rushes back through the tunnel to find herself surrounded by guards.

Harry delivers Stan’s to Eileen (Posy Sterling). Claiming to have been there when Stan died, he assures her that Stan did not know what was happening because it was so quick. He describes Stan as the “bravest man he ever met.” After discussing the man who killed Stan, she tells him that Stan grew to like him. She admits to coping by pretending he is still away and will return. He tells her that it was a privilege to fight alongside Stan. She assures him that Stan would not want him to carry the burden of his death.

Lois Bennett (Julia Brown) tells Robina Chase (Lesley Manville) that she has a job to support her daughter. Robina asks if she will be working in the entertainment industry. She claims Joyce (Grace Chilton) and Vera are away. Lois asks if Joyce said anything about her calling yesterday. Robina suggests it was a misunderstanding. After Lois departs, James inquires about her visit. Robina says she is Vera’s mother. He explains how her anger affected him because he cares before proposing marriage. She describes his proposal as “ridiculous.”

Harry and Kasia embrace when Robina approaches to greet him with a kiss. After meeting James, Harry visits Vera but refuses to hold her.

Frau Kuhne (Friederike Ott) asks Marga (Mariam Schiweck) why she ran away. Refusing to answer, she tells her mother about the Aryan man that she met. She confesses to being homesick. Herr Kuhne (Matthias Lier) asks if she loved him. Marga describes him as a “gentleman.” Herr suggests they marry. Marga assures her there is no need for them to wed because the baby is for the Fuhrer.

Harry voices concern about contaminating Vera with all the “horror” if he holds her. Kasia says people say the memories and feelings will eventually go away. He questions if he has forgotten how to be with her. She assures him that it is all right.

Marga overhears Herr telling Frau there is still time to find a good doctor. Frau warns that no local doctor would abort a child of the Fuhrer. She voices concern about Marga finding a husband. He asks what they would say when they came to retrieve the baby.

Barthez (Jules Dousset) tells Henriette that she treated his residents. She asks if that is why he called her there. He claims her surname is not spelled correctly. She denies the claim. He asks if she is the daughter of Bernard and Rosa Gilbert. She claims her surname is Gerbois. He says her ID is fraudulent before showing her a comparison of a genuine and fake government stamp. A bag is placed over her head.

Connie (Yrsa Daley-Ward) takes Lois’ picture for when she returns from Africa to pick up Vera. Lois feels she is abandoning Vera. Connie boasts of how proud she is of Lois.

Harry overhears Lois telling Robina that she is there to pick up Vera. Robina accuses her of abandoning Vera before saying this is her home now. Lois admits to being a mess at the time but is grateful for what she has done for Vera. Robina tells her that she is not fit to be a mother. Harry sarcastically says that coming from the “patron saint of wonderful mothers.” She says her grief damaged him but it can end now. He assures her that he would not change Lois being Vera’s mother. Lois thanks Robina for everything.

Jan Tomaszeski (Eryk Biedunkiewicz) shows Harry his map. Switching the pieces around, Harry suggests more German tanks and blood. Jan asks why he is sad. When Harry does not respond, Jan hurries away.

Captain Rajib (Ahad Raza Mir) suffers an injury. An officer urges him to hold still. Rajib grimaces in pain as an officer cuts the sleeve of his uniform.

In a prison camp. Albert (Parker Sawyers) asks a beaten and battered Henriette how many names she gave them. She confesses to giving the names to two deceased colleagues and one who is expecting them. Pointing out a man, he says the doctor will assess her hand during shift change. He informs her that she will be taken to the female prison camp, Ravensbruck in Germany. He claims escaped prisoners said the guards treated them like Jews above all else. He warns that there is no way out. She suggests escaping on the way there.

Robina admits to loving Vera. Harry suggests showing by allowing Lois to be the best mother she can be. She accuses him of falling under Lois’ spell again. She says it is natural for her to feel angry and betrayed. She tells him that he is convinced that he knows everything but has no idea when Kasia lies to him. Later, Harry asks Kasia if her involvement is spying. He tells him that it was never her plan to wait for him. He asks if she is returning to Poland. She claims James told her that Poland is in dire need of experienced people.

Handing Henriette a weapon, cash, and two small packages, Albert urges her to utilize it for bribes. He suggests a bigger wound dressing to conceal the weapon. He demands she slaps him to distract the guards.

David meets Grzegorz Tomaszeski (Mateusz Wileclawek) in a pub.

Harry demands to know why James is encouraging Kasia to put herself in danger. James claims Kasia is a volunteer who fought to earn the mission to Poland. Elsewhere, Kasia apologizes to Robina for bringing her trouble. Robina assures her that she understands her decision but wishes Harry would not be among the casualties. Kasia tells her that she is giving Harry his freedom. Robina says Kasia gave Harry a sense of purpose. Later, Kasia asks Harry to not try to keep her from leaving. He says knowing she is waiting gets him through. She assures him that he fought the war because it was the right thing to do. He promises to love her forever. She says that part of her is no longer there.

Kasia tells Jan that she is leaving but he is to stay to attend school. She says a free Poland will need well-educated men and they will be together again.

Ralph tells Frau and Herr that the Soviet Union will not put up resistance when they bomb the British cities. Frau says he would not be so sure. Ralph describes the Soviets as “animals.” Marga breaks down sobbing.

Kasia tries to return her wedding band. Harry suggests it would be safer for her as a married woman. She compares the last two years to a lifetime. He assures her that his feelings for her have never changed. She tells him that she cannot take away his anger and sadness.

Rajib Kuhne (Carl Grubel) wakes to find Ishwar at his bedside. Ishwar says they are the only survivors.

Harry apologizes to Jan for not being honest about Vera. Jan claims to have figured it out on his own.

Ralph tells Marga that he is proud of her because she is doing an honorable thing. He compares what she is doing to that of a sailor or soldier. He threatens to report anyone who says Marga is wrong for slander. Marga proudly watches as he forces Frau and Herr to toast in her honor.

Rajib tells Ishwar that he was fighting to keep them from becoming part of the German Empire.

Robina informs James of her decision to not marry him. He suggests she is afraid to let herself be happy and feels guilty about her husband’s suicide. She says it is either her responsibility or her happiness. He says her happiness is her biggest responsibility. She assures him that her feelings for him have not wavered. He apologizes for not seeing her rejection as a “glowing testimonial” before walking away.

Ishwar and Rajib agree to continue their fight against Britain when the war ends.

Harry asks Robina to tell him about his father. She says only his father knows why he took his own life. He asks if his father ever spoke of the war. She claims he called himself a “coward.” He asks why. She assures him that his father would have never explained. She admits to believing he would improve but in the end, he was a coward for leaving them. Harry suggests his father was desperate and dead inside. She says they must move forward.

As the guards escort Henriette out of the camp, she turns to look at Albert. He mutters, “Good luck.”

Lois hands Vera to Harry who takes her. While they gather in the sitting room, a news report blares across the radio about the war. Harry leaves the house with his luggage. Kasia parachutes out of an airplane when the episode ends.

 

World On Fire Review

Captain Briggs gives Harry the option of a medical discharge or a month in Tubruk to collect himself. Choosing the latter, Harry learns Kasia has volunteered for a mission in Poland. He tries to convince her to stay but her mind is made up. Kasia leaves Jan with Robina to get an education.

Harry forces Robina to return Vera to Lois. He urges her to support Lois in her motherhood endeavor. Lois promises to let them be part of Vera’s life. James proposes to Robina but she chooses her responsibilities over happiness.

Henriette is caught with fraudulent documents. Albert informs her that the guards are taking her to a German prison camp, Ravensbruck. She plans to escape en route to the camp. He gives her cash and a handmade weapon.

Ralph is honored by Marga’s decision to carry the Fuhrer’s baby. He threatens to file slander charges against anyone who doesn’t support her decision.

Rajib is severely injured and Ishwar suffers minor injuries during an attack. When he improves, Ishwar informs him that his men didn’t make it. They make a pack to continue their fight against Britain after the war ends.

Harry tries to determine why his father took his own life. Robina says his father saw himself as a “coward” without explanation. After a month, Harry returns to the war.

Not a completely fulfilling finale but decent nonetheless. The story continues to grow in complexity which would be a major disappointment if there is no renewal.

The episode deserves a 5.5. Get more World On Fire recaps here. Support Reel Mockery by clicking the link. Learn more about our onsite advertising by reaching out to our customer support.