Part Three

No spoilers.

From okay-ish, to stunning. From bland characters, to in-depth treasures. From tedious speed, to exhilarating momentum. Third time's the charm indeed. It took us two episodes, which, in anything but a mini series would be fine, to get to the episode that shows us Masters of the Air's true potential. The episode has nearly everything the show missed thus far. By the end, we've been on a journey, witnessed the cost of war, and see where our aerial troops stand amidst conflict.

While no guarantee can be given for the momentum to be held at this very point in the show, episode 3 sets the stage anew. If you look past the grim nature of mission briefing telling nothing of the severity of the challenge ahead, facial expressions and hard-heard sighs make up for its absence. The action in particular, is stunning. Nearly capturing the feeling of being on such a plane yourself, Cary (director for the first two episodes as well) takes you deep into the battle. The mission is an immensely important one, one that has been told many times but never has been captured this beautifully.

Add to the above that we can finally begin to see the splintering of arcs and storylines, the episode is easily the best so far. With it setting the tone for the episodes to come, hopefully, one can't help but wonder how their favorite characters will fare further down the line.

9 out of 10 knots. Stunning TV.

Mission Briefing: Episode 3, titled "Part Three," takes us deep into the heart of the war with the Bloody Hundredth on a daring mission: bombing German factories and escaping to Africa. Buckle up, it's a bumpy ride.

The aerial dogfights are masterfully crafted, visceral and intense, putting you right in the cockpit with the B-17s. The episode doesn't shy away from the human cost of war, showcasing the fear, camaraderie, and sacrifice of the airmen. The limited time window for the mission adds a constant layer of tension. The CGI and production design are top-notch, recreating the period and the vastness of the sky with stunning realism. Butler delivers a nuanced performance as Major Gale Cleven, showcasing both his leadership and vulnerability.

As mentioned, Butler is a standout, capturing the complexities of his character. While individually talented, the actors are often limited by the masks and script, making it harder to connect with them emotionally.

Stunning aerial cinematography and CGI bring the B-17s and dogfights to life. Sound Design is immersive and impactful, amplifying the tension and chaos of the battles. Score's emotionally charged music elevates key moments and adds depth to the narrative.

Episode 3 of Masters of the Air focuses on the Regensburg mission, in August 1943. Of the episodes so far, it holds clearest to the history. Some of this is because it focuses only on that one mission. And it is a brutal one.

Regensburg was one of those successful failures. The episode introduces the plan: 3 task forces of bombers are going to simultaneously hit multiple targets in Germany, with the 100th then flying through Europe and the med on to Africa. Only one problem: weather screws up the rendesvous. And, they are ordered to fly anyway, forget the mission aim.

So, instead of 3 task forces all at once, the 100th's is on its own. And we see/feel the consequences.

No spoilers here, but it is worth reflecting on something. As bad as what we are shown is (and was), the other task forces fared even worse. The other target, Schweinfurt, was heavily defended by the time the 2nd and 3rd task forces arrived. In total, the 8th Air Force lost 60 B-17s that day. That's 600 men killed or captured in a single mission. Perhaps the only downside of this episode is that this fact was not stated.

In the two-episode premiere of Masters of the Air, it is difficult to predict if Cleven, Egan, and Biddick will survive the entire war due to the lack of detailed knowledge about each man's history. However, the episode "Part Three" provides a good reason to ponder the lack of knowledge. Despite Cleven and Egan's uncertainty about Curt Biddick's whereabouts, the audience is certain. In the opening episodes, Biddick manages to avoid a deadly crash-landing and ends up with friendly people on the coast of Scotland. In the episode, the 100th Bomb Group, led by Lt. Roy Frank Claytor, successfully bails out of a plane that is going down fast. However, Biddick's attempt to steer his downed plane and save his co-pilot's life is thwarted by a highly placed tree cover, and the plane blows up midway through the episode. Barry Keoghan is bid adieu to the immensely talented actor, who is off to deal with his burgeoning film career. Chapter 3 involves a dangerous "three-punch combo" mission to Africa, aiming to bomb Regensburg for the longest time over German territory and deepest into Germany. Major Bowman announces the plan, which involves three task forces flying together and then splitting, allowing only one squadron to defend. The first squadron will refuel, while the second squadron will drop bombs on Schweinfurt. Instead of turning back, they will fly to Africa in Telergma, aiming to confuse the Germans while the Americans bomb sites with precision. Major Egan (Callum Turner) volunteers to fly in Captain Cruikshank's fort as a reserved commander pilot, despite being in the back seat. The 100th is "tail-end Charlie," meaning their squadron is at the end of the most dangerous place. Major Kidd leads the 418th, Major Veal leads the 349th, and the 351st squadrons are in the high position. Colonel Neil 'Chick' Harding orders the 100th to fly alone without cover or air support, causing chaos. Extra fighters stop the Germans from coming back for a second offensive. Quinn is held at gunpoint by resistance fighters in Germany-occupied Belgium. After jumping out of the plane, he lands safely and meets a girl who identifies as an American. She finds her father, who alerts her to the resistance. They explain that he can either turn himself in to the Germans, be placed in a prisoner camp, and survive the war, or escape back to England. If caught, he will be executed as a spy.

Episode 3 of Masters of the Air delves further into the harrowing experiences of the airmen, shifting its focus to the psychological toll the war is taking on the crew members. The episode revolves around a particularly grueling bombing mission that pushes the men to their breaking points, both physically and mentally. As the story unfolds, we see the airmen struggle not just with the dangers of combat but also with the deep emotional strain that war has placed on their lives. The combination of action, drama, and introspection makes this episode a standout, as it masterfully portrays the harsh realities of warfare and the personal costs of fighting in the skies.

The performances in this episode are particularly strong, with the cast convincingly portraying men on the edge. The lead characters, especially the pilot and bombardier, are given more emotional depth as they confront their fears and doubts in the face of seemingly insurmountable odds. One of the episode's most powerful scenes occurs when the crew returns from a mission that has gone horribly wrong. The silence and haunted expressions on their faces speak volumes, highlighting the tremendous emotional weight of their experiences. The actors' ability to convey these complex emotions without dialogue adds a layer of raw intensity to the episode.

From a directorial standpoint, Episode 3 excels in creating a palpable sense of tension and dread. The aerial combat sequences are visceral, filled with high-stakes action that keeps the audience on edge. Yet, it is in the quieter moments that the direction truly shines, allowing viewers to sit with the emotional aftermath of battle. The juxtaposition between the chaos of the dogfights and the stillness of the post-mission debriefs amplifies the impact of each scene. This contrast is also enhanced by the cinematography, which captures the vast, bleak skies as a reflection of the emotional void the men are trying to navigate. The camera work, particularly the close-ups on the crew during moments of crisis, deepens the sense of isolation and fear they feel.

However, the episode is not without its flaws. The pacing can feel uneven at times, with the tension during the missions expertly crafted but some of the downtime dragging on. Certain scenes, particularly those set on the ground, lack the urgency and focus seen in the combat sequences. While these moments are intended to show the camaraderie and personal relationships between the men, they occasionally disrupt the flow of the narrative, making the episode feel longer than necessary. The editing could have been tighter in these sections to maintain the overall intensity that the aerial battles bring.

The script in this episode is also a highlight, managing to balance technical military jargon with personal dialogue that gives each character more depth. The conversations between crew members about their fears, hopes, and frustrations add layers to their personalities, making them more relatable. The writing does an excellent job of showing the bond between the airmen while also hinting at the fractures forming due to the immense pressure they are under. The themes of fear, duty, and the fragility of life are explored with sensitivity, making the episode emotionally resonant while staying grounded in the brutal reality of war.

In conclusion, Episode 3 of Masters of the Air is a gripping and emotionally charged installment that continues to build on the series' strengths. The performances are outstanding, the direction is sharp, and the aerial combat scenes are thrilling, though the episode's pacing could benefit from more focus during the quieter moments. The exploration of the psychological toll of war gives the episode a depth that resonates beyond the action, highlighting the human cost of conflict. As the series progresses, it's clear that Masters of the Air is not just a story about war but about the emotional endurance required to survive it.