The finale of a sixteen-part series about twentieth-century Romania, this episode explores the debauched presidency of Romania's final autocrat, the Trump-analogous Traian Băsescu, the restoration of confidence and economy alike under the administration of former schoolteacher Klaus Johannis, and the present issues facing the country, most notably being a border crisis, a NATO bid, and the looming threat of Russian invasion.
The finale of a sixteen-part series about twentieth-century Romania, this episode explores the debauched presidency of Romania's final autocrat, the Trump-analogous Traian Băsescu, the restoration of confidence and economy alike under the administration of former schoolteacher Klaus Johannis, and the present issues facing the country, most notably being a border crisis, a NATO bid, and the looming threat of Russian invasion.
Series: Ceaușescu's Downfall (16/16)
Music: "Tú Serás Mi Baby" by Les Surfs; main theme from The Conversation (1974); "Intermission" by Blur; "Louie Louie" by The Kingsmen; Laura Palmer's theme from Twin Peaks (1990); "Break" by Beenzino; "Sonido Amazonico" by Los Mirlos; "Don't You Just Know It" by Huey 'Piano' Smith; "A Little Chaos" by Peter Gregson; "Then He Kissed Me" by The Crystals, best known as the aural accompaniment to the Copacabana long-take in Martin Scorsese's Goodfellas (1990).
Outro: "Beyond the Sea" by Bobby Darin.
Referenced: news about Hungary's present-day autocracy (AP); news about Moldova's change in legal language (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6); HyperNormalisation, a fascinating 2016 BBC documentary by Adam Curtis (YouTube/Vimeo); Seth Meyers roasting Donald Trump at the 2011 White House Correspondents' Dinner (1, 2, 3); that time Băsescu and his cronies embezzled $1.1b of EU funds meant for a Danube Delta project (1, 2); Andrew Tate arrested in Romania (reddit); Romania barred from the Schengen free-travel zone (1, 2, 3).
Corrections: None, for now. (However, do note that Elena Băsescu hasn't done anything since the EU.)
Kris's best-reviewed book: A Wintry Scene in Chequamegon (available in hardcover, paperback, and e-book forms)