The Kennedys
Season 1
TV-14
The triumphs and tragedies of the most popular political family in American history.
Where to Watch Season 1
8 Episodes
- A Father's Great Expectations
E1A Father's Great ExpectationsAt JFK's presidential election, the family reminisces how the political dynasty started. Self-made tycoon Joseph Senior became ambassador under Roosevelt, but wrecked his career with a speech that could be read as sympathetic to Hitler. So he transferred his ambition to his sons. especially for Robert, that means sacrificing some of his own. - Shared Victories, Private Struggles
E2Shared Victories, Private StrugglesStil At JFK's election, reminiscing continues about his career so-far as senator, and the crucial parts played by the whole family. Brother Bobby considers his task as John's campaign-leader finished and returns to his own legal career, while warning 'Jack' against compromising his dream wedding with Jacqueline by flirting shamelessly. - Failed Invasion, Failed Fidelity
E3Failed Invasion, Failed FidelityWhen the Bay of Pigs invasion proves disastrous, JFK makes a difficult decision he must later atone for. “John F. Kennedy changed the image of the United States when he was president. People around the world remember that time and remember the days when America was the leading shining light for freedom and democracy, which was represented so well by Kennedy at the time.” - Executive Producer Michael Prupas - Broken Promises and Deadly Barriers
E4Broken Promises and Deadly BarriersWhen the Bay of Pigs invasion proves disastrous, JFK makes a difficult decision he must later atone for. “John F. Kennedy changed the image of the United States when he was president. People around the world remember that time and remember the days when America was the leading shining light for freedom and democracy, which was represented so well by Kennedy at the time.” - Executive Producer Michael Prupas - Moral Issues and Inner Turmoil
E5Moral Issues and Inner TurmoilRiots over desegregation in the South force JFK to act; Jackie’s use of amphetamines continues; Joe Sr. suffers a stroke. “Jack and Jackie Kennedy were truly the king and queen of America at the time. They were called America’s royalty because they were…But as beautiful as they looked, and as trouble free as they seemed, underneath there was always another more troubled layer.” - Director Jon Cassar - On the Brink of War
E6On the Brink of WarThe Cuban missile crisis brings America and Russia to the brink of war; Jackie leaves JFK after one infidelity too many. “The lasting legacy of Jack and Bobby Kennedy was to resolve political crisis with the least amount of bloodshed possible…We never went to war with the Soviet Union. Had that crisis not been handled the way it was, we wouldn’t be here. This planet would be dead. Everything else pales to insignificance compared to that.” - Writer Stephen Kronish - The Countdown to Tragedy
E7The Countdown to TragedyJack and Jackie suffer the loss of their newborn child; she and JFK are in Dallas on that fateful day in November. “There’s an arc of the love story through the whole eight episodes. In episode seven [after the death of their newborn son], they’ve really started to reconnect. They’ve had their ups and downs and at the point where you think that they can live happily ever after, the unfortunate happens.” - Director Jon Cassar - The Aftermath: A Family's Curse of Misfortune and Heartbreak
E8The Aftermath: A Family's Curse of Misfortune and HeartbreakBobby blames himself for his brother’s death. Five years later, tragedy strikes again. “I admire Robert Kennedy because of his courage to stand up during an extremely volatile and difficult time in America, knowing full well what might happen to him. RFK lived and died as a passionate advocate of peace, justice and equality and he believed in compassion toward fellow human beings, not only in the United States, but all over the world. I believe he would have made an extraordinary President. Now, more than ever, the world is in need of men like Robert Kennedy.” - Barry Pepper
