The BEST episodes of Burning Bush
Every episode of Burning Bush ever, ranked from best to worst by thousands of votes from fans of the show. The best episodes of Burning Bush!
Burning Bush is a three-part mini-series created for HBO by world-renowned Polish director Agnieszka Holland. Based on real characters and events, this haunting drama focuses on the personal sacrifice of a Prague history student, Jan Palach, who set himself on fire in protest against the Soviet occupation of Czechoslovakia in 1969. Dagmar Buresová, a young female lawyer, became part of his legacy by defending Jan's family in a trial against the communist government, a regime which tried to dishonour Palach's sacrifice, a heroic action for the freedom of Czechoslovakia.
#1 - Episode 1
Season 1 - Episode 1 - Aired 1/27/2013
Six months after Soviet block tanks crushed the Prague Spring (popular uprising against Stalinism), the occupation of Czechoslovakia seems without prospect. History student Jan Palach torches himself on a Prague square, incurring ultimately fatal burns, and leaves a message that he's only the first of series of 'torches' unless demands are met, calling for a massive protest and relaxation of oppression. Regular Czech student leader Ondrej Trávnícek tries to find out what happened to recuperate them. The national party is determined to handle the matter itself, fearing the Soviets may take over government completely. Jan's elder brother Jiri and mother Libuse want to keep his message going. Jan's dorm mates however are forced to tell the military investigators about his girlfriend Dagmar Buresová, who is scared to read a fake message from him calling off further torchings and appealing for a settlement with a Czech chess master.
#2 - Episode 3
Season 1 - Episode 3 - Aired 2/10/2013
Eight months after Jan's death, the family and stubborn lawyer Dagmar still refuse to face reality. The Communist authorities have found ways to blackmail or eliminate anyone standing in the way of the official story, that Jan was made to believe it was only a circus trick. So the accused officials are cleared, the family condemned to the legal costs, the student movement is muzzled. Yet the legend lives on in opposition circles, to play a part twenty years later in the Glasnost era revolution which will end Stalinism and the republic.
#3 - Episode 2
Season 1 - Episode 2 - Aired 2/3/2013
Five weeks later, the next student tries to become torch number two, but reaches neither the public nor death. The authorities manage to prevent press reports on a link, which would undermine the official story, supported by Jan's blackmailed girlfriend, that his suicide was a 'fatally sabotaged circus stunt'. Student leader Ondrej falls in love with Dagmar, the Palach family's manipulative lawyer, whose competent colleague prevents a central committee party man to avoid any court case.