Ep 6. Einstein: Chapter Six

Einstein: Chapter Six is the sixth episode of season one of the National Geographic series, Genius. In this episode, viewers witness the intense relationships in Albert Einstein's life - both professional and personal - come to a head.

As the episode opens, Einstein is feeling the pressure of his failing marriage to Mileva. He is also seeing his professional relationships fraying as he finds himself disagreeing with his colleagues over the direction of his work. Despite this, Einstein's genius continues to push forward, as he unearths deep truths about the universe.

The episode showcases many of the themes that have been present throughout the series. Once again, viewers are given an intimate look at how Einstein's intellect influenced his relationships. We see how he struggles to balance his family with his ambitious research. At the same time, his growing fame is beginning to cause problems with his peers.

Compounding these issues is a broader reckoning. Despite Einstein's brilliance, he remains an outsider in the scientific community. His unconventional thinking and lack of respect for authority continue to create friction. This is especially true for Niels Bohr, who is starting to distance himself from Einstein's work.

As the episode unfolds, we see Einstein lose some of his support systems. His relationship with his son has grown cold, and Mileva is beginning to lose patience with his behavior. He is also drifting apart from his closest confidant, Michele Besso.

In spite of these challenges, Einstein's work continues to break new ground. In a stunning sequence, we see him grappling with the concept of time dilation - a key part of his famous Theory of Relativity. We also see how his ideas challenged the existing scientific paradigm and set the stage for a major breakthrough.

As the episode draws to a close, the tensions in Einstein's life reach a boiling point. His family relationships have fallen apart, and he is alienating his peers. Even his unflagging determination can't keep it all together. Instead, he is left to contemplate his past choices and newfound isolation.

Despite these setbacks, Einstein's story remains an inspiration for those that follow in his footsteps. The series is a testament to the power of genius - both in terms of scientific discovery and the struggle to live a meaningful life. Einstein: Chapter Six is a particularly poignant episode, as we see the great scientist at the peak of his powers but starting to cope with a loss that he cannot control. It is a must-watch for anyone interested in the life and legacy of one of history's greatest minds.