Ep 2. Mark Rylance

In season 1, episode 2 of My Grandparents' War, viewers are taken on a journey through the experiences of British actor Mark Rylance's grandfather during World War II. The episode explores Rylance's family history and the impact of the war on his grandfather's life.

Rylance's grandfather, Osmond Skinner, was a soldier in the British Army during World War II. He served alongside journalist and war correspondent Ernest Hemingway in the Spanish Civil War before being sent to fight in North Africa. Skinner was captured by German forces and spent three and a half years as a prisoner of war.

The episode begins with Rylance visiting his grandfather's former army base in North Africa. As he speaks with historians and local residents, he learns about the harsh conditions that soldiers faced in the desert and the strategic importance of the region during the war.

Rylance then travels to Germany to visit the site of the POW camp where his grandfather was held. He meets with a local historian who shows him the remains of the camp and explains how prisoners were treated by the Germans. Rylance is visibly moved as he sees the bleak conditions that his grandfather would have lived in for years.

The episode also features interviews with family members and experts who shed light on Skinner's life after the war. Rylance learns that his grandfather struggled with PTSD and turned to alcohol to cope with his trauma. He also discovers that Skinner was involved in anti-fascist activism in the years following the war, a fact that surprises and inspires him.

Throughout the episode, Rylance reflects on his own family history and the impact that war has had on generations of his family. He also speaks about his own activism and the importance of remembering the lessons of the past.

My Grandparents' War season 1 episode 2 is a moving and insightful look at one man's experiences during World War II and the lasting impact of the conflict on his family and future generations. Through Rylance's journey, viewers gain a greater understanding of the sacrifices made by soldiers and the long-lasting effects of conflict on individuals and society as a whole.