America Finally Enters the War in 'Atlantic Crossing'

The sixth episode of Atlantic Crossing opens with two American soldiers going off shift at the Opana Radar Site in Hawaii; one is anxious to get away, but the other wants to stay and improve his skills. He sees something unusual on the equipment, but when they contact their superiors, they’re told not to worry. There’s a calendar on the wall; the date is December 7, 1941. At the White House, Harry Hopkins announces Pearl Harbor has been attacked. Roosevelt barks orders, and he and Eleanor exchange a long glance. Naturally, Roosevelt goes to visit Märtha and shares his guilt and sadness, admitting she was right all along.

Märtha sympathizes — this is how they felt in Norway. But they lost, Roosevelt insists. She disagrees — they lost only the first round. Meanwhile, the Norwegian royals and Cabinet hear the news and are relieved that now the U.S. will join the war. General Fleischer, Olav’s candidate for the Chief of Defense position, arrives in Scotland, where the Norwegian Brigade is quartered. Olav warns him that the Cabinet has unearthed a letter from him to the King, soon after the invasion, urging him to stay in Norway. Despite the fact that many of the Cabinet took the same position at the time, it will almost certainly be used against Fleischer. Olav asks his father, the King, for support.

When the Cabinet meets, Olav voices his support for Fleischer and is then informed that British Intelligence claims Märtha and Roosevelt are having an affair. Olav is cool, then angry, and demands an apology, which is grudgingly given. But it’s enough to make him suspicious, and the King is annoyed that he was so easily distracted from the business of getting Fleischer nominated. Olav decides another visit to the U.S. is in order.