Ep 4. Molly Ringwald

Who Do You Think You Are? season 8 episode 4 follows actress Molly Ringwald as she explores her family history and discovers surprising details about her ancestors. Molly is best known for her roles in iconic 80s films like Breakfast Club and Pretty in Pink, but she has always been curious about her family's past, especially since her parents didn't share much about their own backgrounds.

Throughout the episode, Molly travels to various locations to uncover her family's past and untangle some long-held mysteries. She starts her journey in Sweden, where she learns about her great-great-grandfather Nils Ringwald, who emigrated to the United States in the late 1800s. Molly is fascinated by Nils's journey, and wants to understand why he left Sweden and what his life was like in his new country.

Next, Molly travels to Pennsylvania and New York to explore her mother's side of the family. She learns about her third-great-grandfather, who was a member of the Underground Railroad and helped escaped slaves find freedom. Molly is deeply moved by this discovery and feels a strong connection to her ancestor's courage and compassion.

Molly then heads to Louisiana, where she uncovers some surprising information about her father's family. She learns that her third-great-grandfather owned slaves, and that her ancestor was involved in a large slave auction in New Orleans. Molly is understandably shaken by this revelation, and struggles to reconcile this difficult part of her family's past.

Finally, Molly travels to Germany to learn about her great-grandfather, who fought in World War I. She discovers that he was captured and held as a prisoner of war, and learns about the harsh conditions that he and other soldiers endured. Molly is humbled by her great-grandfather's sacrifices and feels a deeper connection to him as a result.

Throughout the episode, Molly reflects on what she has learned about her family and how it has impacted her own understanding of herself. She talks about how she has always felt like an outsider, and how discovering her family's history has helped her feel more grounded and connected to her roots. She also discusses the challenges of confronting difficult truths about her ancestors, and how she plans to incorporate this knowledge into her own life going forward.

Overall, Who Do You Think You Are? season 8 episode 4 is a powerful and emotional exploration of one woman's family history, and the impact that it has on her life. Through Molly Ringwald's journey, viewers are reminded of the importance of understanding where we come from and how our ancestors' experiences have shaped who we are today.