danpiedra

The concept of covering the time in which the soldiers stayed over in Melbourne seemed appropriate to me to provide a bit of a break to the viewer. However it goes beyond reason as to why the entire episode is devoted to side stories which could really have been covered off in quick fashion over a 15-20 minute segment. It was disappointing to see what appeared to be a "soap opera" style episode stuck in what was advertised as another war film.

I am not in a position to determine the veracity of such stories, but sufficeth to say, that this episode was painful to watch ... time dragged on and yet before I knew it, it was over with very little to show for it. BOB managed to include a few side stories including the usual drinking, bars, women, etc., but it was done amist episodes which carried more punch. In none of those was the main storyline about the side story of soldiers.

I believe the only shots fired in this episode where at the cows from the passing trains which carried the service men back to combat.

At long last we are treated to an episode worthy of being remembered. This episode dealt with many of the key ingredients necessary to make a viewer want to see it over and over. While episode 8 (Iwo Jima) will soon be forgotten in mind as one of the most disappointing ones of the whole series, this one provided a true emotional ride through the horror and moral struggles which Americans faced in Okinawa. The pain and discomfort of the rain, mud, and generally uncomfortable conditions came through the screen into our living rooms. Several scenes provided a glimpse of the frustration and moral decay which these soldiers faced ... it was not a feel good episode, but it should not have been. It was what it should have been, and for one of only a few episodes, I would see this one a few more times to truly appreciate it.