When Berlin falls to the Soviets and her husband is killed, she flees to the United States carrying his unborn child, not giving up hope that she will find her family, which is tied together by her mother's ring.

Kirk Nicewonger, writing for the United Features Syndicate group of newspapers, briefly stated that it would be enjoyable for fans of Steel's work, but was very negative in his opinion of its reception among general viewers.

[6] Tom Shales, writing for The Washington Post, found it to be both "flashy and classy", described the score as romantic, and though critical of the dialogue - especially when historically incongruent - was overall positive in his review.

[1] Jocelyn Beard, writing for TVData Features, mostly focused on the production of the piece, revealing NBC's allotted budget and stating that "every penny seems well-spent", adding that fans would be pleased with the result.

[3] The New York Times' reviewer John Martin stated that romance was absent in this particular piece, and that the lies Ariana tells throughout make it very difficult to like her, let alone feel any sympathy for her and the situations she finds herself embroiled in.