Ep 5. Escape from Cuba

We'll Meet Again is an American documentary series that examines historic events from the point of view of the people who lived through them. The second season of the show features individuals who had lost touch with people they once knew and have been longing to reconnect with them. These individuals reconnect with people who had shared life-changing experiences, like natural disasters, wars, or political upheavals. They try to find loved ones they have lost touch with in hopes of reconnecting and reliving the moments that impacted their lives.

In Season 2, Episode 5, titled "Escape from Cuba," the series follows the story of two individuals who lived through the Cuban Revolution and later experienced the political turmoil that ensued. One of them is a Cuban woman named Martha who fled the country as a teenager after her father was arrested by the government for being a political dissident. Martha spent most of her adult life in Miami and never saw her father again. The other individual is an American man named John who was a US Navy sailor stationed in Cuba during the revolution. He met Martha's father and promised him he would take care of his family if anything ever happened to him. John has been trying to fulfill that promise since then.

The episode tells the story of Martha's escape from Cuba in the early 1960s. She lived in Havana and her family was prominent in the community. Her father was a doctor and a political dissident who opposed the communist takeover of the government. One day, Martha's father was arrested by the authorities and taken to prison. Her mother was left to raise Martha and her siblings on her own. Martha and her mother lived in constant fear of being arrested and tried to hide their political views from the authorities.

One day, Martha's mother received a message from someone who promised to help them escape from Cuba. They were instructed to go to the beach and wait for a boat that would take them to the United States. Martha and her mother packed all of their belongings and left their home in Havana. They took a taxi to the beach and waited for hours until a small boat sailed into view. The boat was cramped and dangerous, but they had no choice but to board it.

The boat was overcrowded and the journey was perilous. They ran out of food and water and were constantly threatened by pirates who patrolled the waters. Martha and her mother were terrified but finally reached Florida after several frightening days at sea. They were greeted by family members who had already fled Cuba and were able to rebuild their lives in the United States. Martha and her family settled in Miami and began a new life in a new country. However, Martha never forgot her father and always hoped that she could find out what happened to him and if he was still alive.

Meanwhile, John had a different experience during the Cuban Revolution. He was serving in the US Navy and was stationed in Guantanamo Bay when the revolution erupted. John met Martha's father, a fellow political dissident, and was moved by his courage and his commitment to his beliefs. Martha's father told John about his family and entrusted him with the responsibility of taking care of them if anything ever happened to him. John was deeply affected by this and promised to do everything he could to help.

After Martha's escape, John tried to locate her and her family but was unsuccessful. He eventually left the Navy and settled in the United States, but he always remembered his promise to Martha's father. He never forgot about Martha and her family, and spent years searching for them in hopes of fulfilling his promise.

The episode follows Martha and John decades later as they reconnect and reminisce about their experiences in Cuba. Martha learns about the extent of John's efforts to locate her and her family and is grateful for his kindness. They talk about their memories of Havana and their experiences during the revolution. They share their feelings about leaving Cuba and starting anew in the United States.

"Escape from Cuba" is a riveting tale of political upheaval, personal sacrifice, and the enduring power of promises kept. It tells the story of two individuals who experienced the Cuban Revolution from different perspectives and lived through the challenges of a new life in a foreign land. The episode highlights the resilience of the human spirit and the power of the bond that can form between people when they go through life-changing circumstances together.