WARNING: The following contains spoilers for Penny Dreadful: City of Angels, Episode 8, "Hide and Seek."
Penny Dreadful: City of Angels hasn't had much luck with breaking the Nazi cabal up that's prepping to take over Los Angeles. The shapeshifting demoness Magda (Natalie Dormer) has been masquerading as a political aide known as Alex, working with Councilman Townsend (Michael Gladis) to string together the Third Reich's business conglomerate under German architect Richard Goss (Thomas Kretschmann).
However, while the contracts, infrastructure and political ring they've got going all appear to be unstoppable, Councilwoman Beck (Christine Estabrook) has taken the floor as the newest hero opposing them. What makes her so memorable is that she's a female version of Bernie Sanders, and it's clear, with her fire and spirit, that she's not laying down for anyone.
Sanders, while he may not be in the running for president anymore, is a popular figure, especially with the younger demographic. While he's seen as radical, many view his progressive stances on issues such as civil rights, abortion, gun control, social equality, prison reform, education and health care as things America needs to improve upon. In that sense, he's a wild liberal compared to his Republican opposition, and the latter is where Townsend falls under.
The misogynistic, closeted Townsend is being pushed by Goss' connections to be the next mayor, making him a puppet Hitler will control, but Beck has derailed this by getting Townsend booted off the campaign through her connections and years of service. She even calls out his white privilege, his elite status, his reliance on his father's riches and his lack of loyalty to the people, failing to serve them. Townsend is shocked, but it's no surprise as Beck previously pulled his contracts, which reeked of nepotism. She also made sure he couldn't displace Mexicans from their homes for highways.
As she justifies all this, her stance is similar to Sanders' on minorities and the lower class. With her grey hair, spunky attitude and glasses, fans may think showrunner John Logan is riffing off of Donald Trump and Sanders when Townsend and Beck engage in debates.
Townsend has no response when Beck lets him know, "this liberal still has teeth in her head." She's willing to play dirty and out Townsend, sullying his character for good, especially since he's been creating an environment where xenophobia and hate thrives. She's succinct and fearless when she says he represents everything wrong with the country, and she plans to break this patriarchy of corrupt, white men. Even as a white person, she wants young people of color to succeed, as well as granting people access to proper health care and affordable education, leaving Townsend without a comeback.
At this point, she breaks him with her wit and her intelligence, and Townsend's so infuriated, he tries to get the Nazis to assassinate her. Beck, like Sanders, remains unfazed because of how strongly she believes in her principles and philosophies, which makes Townsend squirm since he's facing a woman who can be as aggressive and fierce as his allies. This also makes his camp nervous, and it is why Alex decides to flip and work with Lewis (Nathan Lane) as her nasty politics are coming up short. She didn't foresee Beck making such big power plays, so Alex needs to recalibrate, and maybe the cops could inadvertently dig up dirt on Beck. The only problem is, as the villain plots a solution without getting incriminated, fans can see an emotional Townsend losing it and potentially going after Beck himself.
Created, written and executive produced by John Logan, Penny Dreadful: City of Angels stars Daniel Zovatto, Natalie Dormer, Nathan Lane, Jessica Garza, Kerry Bishé, Ethan Peck, Adriana Barraza, Michael Gladis, Dominic Sherwood and Johnathan Nieves, as well as Piper Perabo, Amy Madigan, Brent Spiner, Lorenza Izzo, Lin Shaye and Adam Rodriguez in recurring roles. The series airs Sundays at 10 p.m. ET/PT on Showtime.