Written by John Edward Betancourt
It really is rare for a war story to dig into every single detail of the operation of war. Simply because the prevailing belief is that the audience is here to enjoy the action and horror of war, to be moved by the combat as it stands and of course… to find inspiration and strength from the soldiers that fight for such a noble cause. So that’s what they focus on and leave out the stuff that someone thinks isn’t important and will bore an audience, but that all changed when Band of Brothers hit the airwaves decades ago. For this particular series left no stone unturned when it came to what Easy Company experienced in the Second World War.
After all, we were privy to exactly what boot camp looked like for these brave souls. Right down to their meals, their bunk time, and the constant running they endured to Currahee, and well… the show took the time to explore the mundane of war, further in its next episode. For ‘Part Five: Crossroads’ saw Captain Dick Winters at a crossroads in his career. For he successfully led Easy Company on a harrowing mission. One that saw him and Easy engage in a major fight with a bevy of SS soldiers and saw Easy Company victorious in a brutal manner and that... brought about a promotion for Winters. One that took him off of the front lines as Easy’s Commanding Officer and put him, behind a desk at Battalion HQ. Which allowed for us to come to discover, what the officer’s life looked during the war, and how hard it was for soldiers promoted through the ranks, to deal with… the mundane. Because in between major offenses and the combat that entailed, Captains and above spent a lot of time planning, and planning to plan. Not to mention, there was an incredible amount of paperwork required to create the kinds of records that allow for stories about wars to be told. But it was part of the duty, and part of the responsibility that came with Winters’ new bars, and it was in fact, fascinating to see. Since it offered… reflection, really. Since Dick had to really ponder upon his actions in the field.
A reality that helped to remind us… that no soldier is or ever will be, or ever was, immune from doubt regarding their decisions. Which for Winters, involved his concerns over what happened during one key moment in that battle with that SS regiment. Because at one point, in the heat of the battle, Winters fired upon an unarmed man. Something that he didn’t even ponder upon until downtime arrived. But it bothered him deeply and sent him into a tough place and understandably so. For Dick was a man of honor through and through and wanted the decorum of war to come into play. But he was also a man, and men make hard calls when fear and adrenaline are flowing, and he seemed to find the peace he needed to by spending time away and by embracing his new role.
But alas, while it was fascinating to see Dick learn the officer’s life, there was still history to be explored in this tale. For the ending of this story, brought us to the precipice of a big moment Because Easy Company was pulled from their down time and sent immediately to the frontlines of Bastogne. Where the German Army was building up for a massive counteroffensive, one that required Easy Company’s help since the initial soldiers on that line, were broken by the attack they faced. But there were problems to accompany this fast deployment. For there wasn’t a good resupply of ammo on the way, nor was there enough winter gear or food to go around, meaning that Easy Company was plunging headlong into the Battle of the Bulge with scraps really. In the end however, this was just an intimate and fascinating tale. One that proved that the mundane in war can be compelling and fascinating if presented in the right manner. Because despite watching Dick Winters write a report on combat, we were indeed entranced and curious to see how Dick handled the transition. All before digging into an ominous ending for certain. For the Battle of the Bulge was one of the most brutal and devastating conflicts of the Second World War. One that cost many lives and broke psyches and that likely means, we are about to witness some ugly moments, the kind that will really demonstrate the toughness of Easy Company and more… of the utter horrors of war. Until next time. Watch ‘Band of Brothers’
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Written by John Edward Betancourt
Caution: This article contains spoilers for Episode 202 of ‘Night Court’. To revisit the Season Two Premiere, click here.
One thing that we can all agree upon, is that times are tough… financially. After all, rent is out of control, the housing market is pure madness, and people are struggling check to check because wages are stagnant, and corporations could care less about taking care of employees financially, it’s all about the shareholders, and well… that is prompting people to really tighten their belts and get creative with their finances. So, they can put food on the table and keep the lights on, and of course... pay the rent that is indeed too damn high, and well... times are so tough, it does leave one to wonder, when the struggle bus will make a stop in places that it normally does not. Such as say, in public services. After all, bites this big impact all, and at some point, lack of tax revenue has to create windfalls and shortcomings and it just so happens, that the next episode of Night Court on NBC explored what that might look like. For ‘Form Fetish’ saw the Night Court battling a new budget, one that was razor thin and one that was causing all kinds of harm to the usual flow of the evening. To the point where Dan was concerned about Flobert’s health since he was still the clerk and dealing with knee issues in a job that required some continuous physical labor and oh… the lights were also going out in the courtroom. Which prompted Abby to meet with the city’s accounting clerk, Linda, to get more money and well… that outright backfired. Because Linda was a stickler for paperwork and if it wasn’t right or respected, she made people pay. So, things got worse and that prompted Dan to step in and bring Linda’s weird son, Bryant, into the fold as the new clerk. Which uh… which went as badly as one might expect and well, that prompted Dan and Abby to team up to get the funding they needed. By not only offering respect to the paperwork and Linda, but by healing her relationship with her estranged and very strange boy. Giving rise to a happy ending for the court since it got what it needed, and well… this little imagining of what might happen if tough times and belt tightening came to the public sector was likely quite accurate. Since courtrooms and other such public services are indeed on tight budgets, and further cuts would be disastrous. But while it was nice to play ‘what if?’ here, make no mistake about it… it was handled in quite the hilarious manner. Courtesy of two key elements. Starting of course, with Linda and her son, Bryant. Because they were the right mix of awkwardly weird to make this plotline work, with Bryant leading the way because his unique brand of quirky was out of this world and brought about some major laughs. Not to mention, Olivia and Gurgs’ plot thread in this story also gave rise to some funny moments. Because their decision to sell a medically retired soft drink they found in the depths of the courthouse, made for some incredible hilarity. Thanks to the fact that it transformed Olivia into the soft drink version of Tony Montana and opened our eyes to the fact that Flobert will do some messed up stuff to get ahead. In the end however, this was just… a delightful episode through and through. One that quite frankly, leaned more into the classic vibe of the show. Because old school Night Court indulged in this type of zany and quirky, and it was welcome to see here, and it was also nice that the show still found a way to offer up a smidge of commentary beneath the big laughs and wild moments. Because financial struggles are very real right now, and that’s something folks can relate to and sympathize with, and all of that serves to remind us of the brilliance of this series. For it really is that wonderfully smart comedy that knows how to balance its humor and its intelligence, and it will be interesting to see what other whip smart storytelling awaits us as season two rolls along. Until next time. Watch ‘Night Court’
Written by John Edward Betancourt
Caution: This article contains spoilers for Episode Three of ‘Extended Family’. To revisit the previous episode, click here.
There is an old saying about raising children that still has great weight in the 21st Century, in that, it takes a village. And that holds weight simply because it does indeed take the efforts of an entire family to ensure that young children find their way and learn their lessons in the world. Because raising children is no easy task, and it is a process filled with trial and error and guessing, because no one really ever gets it right and… it’s only become more tough in recent years. For the family model no longer resembles what it used to decades ago, and that adds new pressures and new challenges, the kind that were put on display in the next episode of Extended Family on NBC. For ‘The Consequences of Gaming’ took the time to explore several key struggles that accompany the divorce dynamic, especially when co-parenting comes into play. Such as how… it can be an exhausting venture that requires great sacrifice. Since Julia was away on an extended emergency PR nightmare. One that allowed for her and Trey to enjoy a little downtime on Pitbull’s giant boat, but that also meant… some struggles for Jim. Who had to pour energy into the two weeks he was watching the kids and deal with aspects of parenthood that he wasn’t comfortable with. Which put him in an exhausted mindset and made him eager to run and recharge once Julia, returned and that presented its own set of problems for her. Because now she was behind the eight-ball and had to figure out how best to approach already festering problems. Such as the fact that Grace was flunking Math class, and that Jimmy Jr. was all about a video game that unsettled Julia, since it involved group efforts to slice up people, and well… she simply hadn’t a clue how to manage that crisis. Such as how to reach her kids and express her concerns in a manner that they would listen to. Which was a segment of the story, that deserves a serious round of applause. Because this is parenting in the raw, especially for families in this situation, and it was refreshing to see such frustrations and struggles on display and not have the story rush to bring about perfect resolution, as most stories in this vein are wont to do. Instead, this is the kind of situation where the village mentality comes into play, and its benefits, and that came forth by way of Trey. Because he saw an opportunity to step in and fulfill his forthcoming role as Stepdad, so he worked to help the kids find inspiration and value, by scaring the living crap out of them. But it did work, and that did speak… to how it takes so many to raise a family. Because fresh eyes do help and sometimes… parents just need a hand because they’re people and this process can be overwhelming and exhausting and what’s truly amazing about the ending of this story, is that it is imperfect in nature, and it should be. Because parents are raising individuals, who go their own way and their lessons will have unique impact upon them. Not to mention there is no perfect ending to parenting conundrums in real life, there’s just tomorrow and doing the best one can and that’s precisely what we saw here and that’s brilliant. Since it properly reflects the realities of parenthood and adds depth and gravity to a story that still found ways to be incredibly funny. Because once again, the jokes just work here, and the big gags were a true treat. Such as when Julia had enough with the internet, and well, in the end, what an amazing episode. One that also shifted gears and let Abigail Spencer really shine in the spotlight and let Donald Faison lean into his amazing comedic chops, and well… all this does indeed leave us eager for more. So, we can see what other amazing lessons and musings this series will offer the many parents of the world, searching for a hint of guidance. Until next time. Watch ‘Extended Family’
Written by John Edward Betancourt
Caution: This article contains spoilers for the Season Three Premiere of ‘La Brea’.
For the most part, the final season premiere of a show, tends to be low key in nature. Simply because it is to serve as the setup for the grand finale ahead. So, it becomes the perfect time to reconnect with characters, explore them in ways the show has yet to before gently introducing what the characters will be dealing with or working toward in their final season. That way, the tension can build, the moments and the stakes can grow, and we are eventually treated to a whopping finale that takes our breath away. But not every show subscribes to that in their final/farewell season. For some, want to take us on a hell of a ride, from beginning to end, as evidenced by how the season three premiere of La Brea on NBC played out. Or rather… how it eventually played out. Because ‘Sierra’ took the time to fool us really, for it opened up with everyone settling deeper into life in 10,000 B.C. to the point where defensive structures were being built for safety and where discussions of family life and the future came into play. Making it seem as though this final season was going to focus heavily on family and reunions, such as getting Eve back into the fold. For Gavin was laser focused on bringing her home and spent time here looking for ways to activate the computer he retrieved from the facility, to see if that would help him find clues as to where she ended up after going through that portal in the season two finale, and how to reverse that. All of which did bring about a low-key start to this story, one that felt very traditional in nature. But that simply did not last. If anything, that lulled us into a false sense of security really, because just like that the Clearing was destroyed by a surprise dinosaur attack and there were more hardships on the horizon. The kind that saw Riley and Josh deal with some hard struggles. Simply because they were on the backend of the dinosaur attack and that brought about a bloody and violent and scary struggle with a velociraptor. One that left Riley in a bad way and well, in the wake of this madness, the group was forced to join forces with Paara’s camp to survive, and well… that attack made for some wild moments for certain. The kind that shook everything up and put the group on a new and scary path and well… the epic nature of this story didn’t end there. Because eventually, that laptop did indeed work, after the group settled in to catch their breath and it opened up a line of communication to someone that stated they knew Eve and knew how to help reunite her and Gavin, provided he could bring them… ‘Sierra’. A codename that rang familiar for Gavin and eventually made sense to him, courtesy of a bevy of memories that were swirling about in his head since he was thinking deeply about the past and the journey he had endured with his family in this wild place. But before he could do much with it, a signal that was being chased, one that many thought related to Sierra… was cornered and what was discovered, was quite incredible. In that, portals awaited those who were brave enough to stand near them and well… that too brought about many surprises and changes for the group. For Josh saw this as a chance to get Riley to some place safe, where she could be healed since she was in bad shape and in the process of going through that portal, Ty was pulled through a different one and came to… in the past. A few weeks before the sinkhole opened in 2021 in Los Angeles to be exact, giving rise to a new journey for him… and quite the cliffhanger to say the least. Because just like that, the group is scattered, the timeline is once again being played with and hope for a reunion for Gavin’s family hangs in the balance and well, that is an epic way to kick off the third and final season of this show. Since it informs us, this story is going to go big week in and week out and shock us and take us wild places we didn’t expect to go, all before bringing this tale to its grand finale, and truly… it will be fascinating to see what other surprises await us and how they will all bring this story together, as we inch toward the end of this long and winding journey through time. Until next time. To learn more about what this journey has meant to the cast and crew of this show, check out our interviews with Series Creator, David Appelbaum and cast members: Veronica St. Clair and Jack Martin, Zyra Gorcki and Nicholas Gonzalez, Lily Santiago, Josh McKenzie, and Rohan Mirchandaney, and Chiké Okonkwo and Jon Seda. Watch ‘La Brea’
Written by John Edward Betancourt Ask anyone these days what they think of Bluey, and you’ll get back the same answer. In that, it’s great. Because this is that rare show that has captivated audiences of all ages with its unique storytelling. The kind that showcases moments in life that everyone can relate to. And somehow, sharing in the wondrous moments of life that we sometimes take for granted through Bluey and her family, makes us happy and makes us want more and well… we have definitely been taking part in the latter for a bit. Since the show has been on a bit of a hiatus. But that thankfully, is about to come to an end. Because this is it, the home stretch. For we are but a mere three sleeps away from there being brand new episodes of Bluey for us to enjoy. For 1/12/24 will see ten brand-new episodes debut on Disney+, and this set of ten episodes will be just the beginning for new Bluey in 2024, as evidenced by the additional news that Disney+ included regarding today’s reminder of how close we are to new adventures with the family. And well, since you’re dying to know what that news is, here’s all the information on Friday’s launch and that wonderful announcement, courtesy of Disney+. 'FOR REAL LIFE! Ten all-new episodes of BLUEY will premiere this Friday, January 12 on Disney+. A fan favorite amongst kids and families, BLUEY is 2023’s #1 most-watched series for preschoolers and kids in the US, and has topped Nielsen streaming charts for overall viewing**. The series has garnered multiple awards including the International Kids Emmy Awards, a Television Critics Association Award, BAFTA Children & Young People Awards, and is nominated for a Critics Choice Award at this weekend’s ceremony. BLUEY features the loveable and inexhaustible Blue Heeler dog Bluey, who lives with her Mum, Dad and little sister Bingo. In these new episodes, BLUEY showcases the joyful simplicity that can be found in families turning everyday events of family life -- like making a cubby house (blanket fort) or a trip to the beach -- into unique adventures that bring to life how children learn and grow through play. Following the January Disney+ premiere, the new episodes will air on Disney Channel and Disney Junior in territories around the world later in 2024. Also later in 2024, Disney+ viewers have even more new Bluey to look forward to, when the previously announced first-ever Bluey special, “The Sign,” premieres on ABC (Australian Broadcasting Corporation) in Australia and globally on Disney+ later in 2024. *Source: Nielsen Media Research time spent viewing for CY2023 to-date; 12/26/22-10/29/23 based on total hours viewed for Kids 2-11 across linear and streaming combined, versus all other series tracked by Nielsen. ** **Source: Nielsen Media Research Data for Total P2+ time spent viewing on streaming, versus all programs tracked by Nielsen. (Based on being #1 wks of 11/20/23, 11/6/23, Live for Streaming.) ABOUT DISNEY+ Disney+ is the dedicated streaming home for movies and shows from Disney, Pixar, Marvel, Star Wars, and National Geographic, along with The Simpsons and much more. In select international markets, it also includes the general entertainment content brand, Star. The flagship direct-to-consumer streaming service from Disney, Disney+ offers an ever-growing collection of exclusive originals, including feature-length films, documentaries, live-action and animated series, and short-form content. With unprecedented access to Disney’s long history of incredible film and television entertainment, Disney+ is also the exclusive streaming home for the newest releases from The Walt Disney Studios. Disney+ is available as a standalone streaming service, as part of the Disney Bundle in the U.S. that gives subscribers access to Disney+, Hulu, and ESPN+, or as part of Combo+ in Latin America with Star+, the standalone general entertainment and sports streaming service in the region. For more, visit disneyplus.com, or find the Disney+ app on most mobile and connected TV devices. ABOUT BLUEY: Created and written by Joe Brumm and produced by the multiple Emmy® Award-winning Ludo Studio for the Australian Broadcasting Corporation and BBC Studios Kids & Family, BLUEY follows the adventures of a lovable and inexhaustible Blue Heeler puppy who lives with her Dad, Mum and little sister, Bingo. It showcases the joyful simplicity that can be found in families, by bringing to life how children learn and grow through play. BLUEY is produced by Emmy® Award-winning Ludo Studio for ABC KIDS (Australia) and co-commissioned by ABC Children’s and BBC Studios Kids & Family. Financed in association with Screen Australia, Bluey is proudly 100% created, written, animated, and post produced in Brisbane Queensland, Australia, with funding from the Queensland Government through Screen Queensland and the Australian Government. The series first premiered in Australia on ABC Kids in 2018 and later premiered to U.S. audiences across Disney Channel, Disney Junior and Disney+. Seasons 1-3 of BLUEY are streaming now on Disney+, and available on Disney Channel and Disney Junior.' Written by John Edward Betancourt
Over the course of the past few days, we’ve talked at length about the powerful lessons present in the HBO series, Band of Brothers. For it really has showcased what goes into becoming a genuine hero in this world, and the selfless nature that requires and the iron constitution that goes with it as well. Not to mention, it has educated us well on many of the hardships that soldiers faced during the Second World War, from an operational standpoint and from a psychological standpoint. Since we now know it was not easy for the men of Easy Company to see their friends fall in combat, and such horrors shattered minds and well… it just so happens that this series has so much more for us to explore.
Because ‘Part Four: Replacements’ took the time to examine more incredible lessons about war. Such as how hard it was for Easy Company to see the fallen replaced with new recruits. Because that hammered home the reality that their friends, their brothers, were indeed gone and would never be seen again. Prompting a bevy of emotions to leak out and some rough behavior, but it made sense as to why. For these men never really received time to grieve or time to process that death was surrounding them. Whether or not that was right or wrong will forever be up for debate, but it does speak to the ugliness of war and how little we do to aid the mental health of our soldiers. Which really was a poignant follow up to the horrors showcased in ‘Part Three: Carantan’ and added a sense of continuity to this powerhouse story. One that did get reinforced just a touch further, courtesy of another grand lesson… one grounded in history. For this is the moment when the Airborne was recruited into the infamous Operation Market Garden. An ambitious plan that was designed to liberate Holland so that the Allied Forces could quickly fight their way to Berlin and end the war by the end of 1944 and well, this was an infamous operation, thanks to the titanic failure it turned out to be. For the Nazis were deeply embedded in Holland and were eager to fight back and create harm and that history lesson led to the follow up in question regarding the difficulties Easy Company had to face regarding death.
Because just like that, more lives were lost. In fact, this mission was so dangerous and so brutal, that a great deal of the characters/historical figures in this series, faced some real brushes with mortality. After all, ‘Buck’ Compton took a nasty bullet to the butt, one that put him out of commission for a time and left him wondering for a moment if his life would end in a German prison, and even Lewis Nixon had to ponder upon how quickly life can end when a bullet grazed his helmet. And of course… the company also came to understand… that so many bonds and so many friendships would end during this war. Since they saw new recruits fall and knew full well, others would too along the way. Offering up a sobering message of the realities of the fight ahead while teaching us about the failures of the war, and this episode wasn’t done there.
For this is a story that also explored, how our hero worship of the war was born. Simply because there were men that took part in stunning acts of bravery and survival and their acts were indeed legendary in nature and awe inspiring and helped us to believe that American soldiers could do anything Rambo style, and Staff Sergeant Denver ‘Bull’ Randleman’s journey here showcased how that came to be. Since he was caught behind enemy lines, while injured, and was forced to accomplish wonders. By fighting for his life and with his bare hands and by moving through enemy territory to get back to his unit so he could fight another day. Which really is the stuff of heroic legend and what we celebrate today, and it was fascinating to learn that some of our fiction regarding heroism really is grounded in moments such as these. If anything, this was just a comprehensive episode through and through. One that found a way to teach us a bevy of lessons really. The kind that helped us to understand the incredible amount of change a soldier faces in the field, and how somehow the majority of them find a way to cope with that in the moment. Alongside a better understanding of Market Garden’s failure and how that failure was insulting to the troops that took part in it since they had made such great progress and it was also amazing, to learn about the formation of the modern hero through this war. Courtesy of Bull’s ability to will himself toward survival and well, all of this was engaging and fascinating to watch and it truly informed us… the dog days of combat are ahead. Wherein Easy Company had to give it their all to make to the end of a war that seemingly had no end in sight, and it will be interesting to see what other experiences, and lessons, and history lessons await us as the fight continues along. Until next time. Watch ‘Band of Brothers’
Written by John Edward Betancourt
It wasn’t that long ago, that our discussions of the HBO series, Band of Brothers, spoke to a fact that everyone knows in some capacity when it comes to war. In that, war indeed hell and it is indeed brutal and that thankfully… is a message that war stories work to convey in their own brutal manner. Since this is oft a lesson that comes to light by way of elaborate and powerful sequences, the kind that feature stunning violence and shocking deaths and well… there is quite frankly, nothing wrong with that. Because those are real elements that everyone goes through that fights in a war and that is what they see, and there’s no better way to hammer home such an important lesson than by showing us the brutal nature of conflict.
Or at least, that used to be the line of thinking. For Band of Brothers is a series that changed the landscape as to how war stories showcase the real horrors that soldiers experience when combat gets underway. A feat that ‘Part Three: Carentan’ accomplished by offering up two unique aspects of war that we simply don’t think about but do in fact… have a grand impact upon psyches and people because of the ugliness of war. Such as how quickly lives are lost and how soldiers in combat have to reconcile the fact that a friend is gone, someone they trusted and that wasn’t easy for the men of the 101st back in the Second World War. Who dealt with that shocking truth when their next mission arrived. For at this point in time in the war, the mission was simple, they were headed to Carentan to seize the town for the Allied Forces, and well… when they arrived, the lesson got underway. Because the Germans wanted the town as well, and that led to a brutal battle. Wherein… this company experienced losses. The kind they hadn’t experienced yet in wartime, and second by second, we lived through that horror as well. As bullets and explosions dropped characters/historical figures that we were getting to know and coming to like and there was no time for those still standing to reflect or mourn in that moment, they just had to fight. Just had to bear witness to death and horrific injuries and that brought about, a sobering sequence for certain. One that spoke to the cold nature of war, the brutality of it and yes, how fast lives are lost and how horrific that can be, and we did indeed see some of these men work to cope and explain how they made it through the day knowing that death would surround them that quickly.
Which really did hammer home the lesson at hand in a manner that few war stories have ever replicated. Because it was indeed powerfully visceral, direct, and rightfully icy. Yet, the story wasn’t done breaking new ground on such matters just yet. Because this story also featured a lot of Private Albert Blithe. Who was separated from his unit during the D-Day debacle and found his way to back to Easy Company and well… struggled to fight. Not because he was a coward, as some stories might showcase, but because… the failure of his mission, and the ugliness in front of him and the reality that he might die at ay second, was more than his mind could bear. To the point where he froze up, became seemingly blind in a split second, and struggled to function.
Giving the audience a glimpse into the formation of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) in the field during war time, something we don’t discuss enough, and certainly didn’t when the show premiered. But as we all know now, PTSD is a very real thing and something that so many soldiers suffer from and that… is a genuine horror of war. Since it is a devastation of the psyche. All of which made for another powerful episode of this series. One that really did take the time to showcase war and its horrors in a different and far more impactful light. Because this didn’t feel cinematic or manufactured as is the case with the lesson in more traditional and grandiose war stories, it just felt awful. For death was everywhere, it came for so many in a split second and it rocked one man to his core and rightfully so. Because war is awful, and it requires a very unique constitution mentally to get through it and even then, there are no guarantees those horrors won’t haunt those who fight in a manner that prompts them to need medical assistance to cope. But sadly, these men had to go through that, and these men did their jobs regardless because of the belief that they were indeed committing to a greater cause. But there is no preparation that one can undertake to reconcile seeing such carnage, and well… that does and should give us pause and make us wonder about why we fight wars in an era where the goals aren’t noble, and that musing is the true reason the horrors are put on display. But going deeper on that is for another time, and all we can do now, is celebrate this brilliant tale. One that really did offer up a powerful and moving story about the real suffering the good guys endured during the Second World War. Until next time. Watch ‘Band of Brothers’
Written by John Edward Betancourt
More often than not in cinema and television, D-Day is presented to an audience in the most noble manner imaginable and understandably so. After all, this was a turning point in the Second World War. Where Fortress Europe was no more, and the Allies took hold and began a long and winding year long journey to Berlin to end the Nazi War Machine and make the world safe for all. So, it stands to reason that this day should be celebrated and honored in every way imaginable. But perhaps not… in the manner that film and television often do. Because films like, The Longest Day, glorify Operation: Overlord and the invasion of Normandy by giving it a spin and a polish that it really doesn’t need. Because while it was indeed an important and proud day in history… it wasn’t as heroic and patriotic as films like that portray. Where the enemy was buckling in their boots and the men sung ‘Yankee Doodle Dandy’ as they rolled toward Berlin with spirits held high.
For D-Day was… a dark day. Where so many young men died storming those beaches because to some extent, the Nazis were ready for invasion. Not to mention… there was chaos on that day and leading up to it. After all, the invasion was on again/off again for several days prior to the big moment, thanks to weather. Plus, even the Air Force got it wrong and dropped paratroopers in the wrong spots, and that was if their planes made it through the flak shield to begin with. But thankfully, as time goes on, we are seeing creative minds showcase the real horrors of D-Day and the difficult battle it proved to be, courtesy of Saving Private Ryan and the second chapter in the incredible series, Band of Brothers. For ‘Part Two: Day of Days’ was indeed… the moment that Easy Company was ready to conduct the mission they had spent ages training for. In fact, when we caught up with them here, they were airborne and on their way to Normandy and well… it didn’t take long for the real horrors of this day to come to fruition. Since planes were indeed blasted out of the sky and Easy Company was literally sent into the winds. Wherein they were scattered about and unsure of where they were and what to do next. Which brought forth, an unsettling story to say the least. One focused heavily upon Lieutenant Winters and his fight to assemble a company of soldiers to do their job, and even that was a messy task. For there were soldiers salty and ready to kill with undisciplined fury, and weapons were in short supply, and the chaos of this Day of Days, didn’t end there. Because even when Winters and his rag tag group of survivors made it to their rally point, there was no leadership to guide them. For the entire airborne operation was a disaster, and the invasion of Normandy was already underway. There was just downtime for them to engage in, and the shock of learning that not every American was fighting on the right side as Malarky came to learn.
But of course, history does inform us that despite the chaos, the Allied Expeditionary Force was successful on this day, and well… once there was some semblance of leadership, we were able to see why that was the case. Simply because Winters and Easy were tasked with taking out a Nazi installation to make life easier for incoming Allied armor and soldiers and well… that allowed for these brave men to finally use the skills they had been taught back home and they were indeed… ready for war. For Winters’ unit embarrassed the Nazis on this Day of Days. By confusing them with their swift attack and their swift force, allowed for the guns that needed to be silenced to go down quickly. Giving rise to a successful mission and the first real taste of war for soldiers that were indeed the right men to fight the fight, and as brave as they come.
For they truly faced some horrible odds on this day and overcame them. And well… that made for one incredible episode to say the last. One that really showcased a different side of D-Day. One that informed us that a lot went wrong on a day we believe was nothing but textbook wonder. But this is the story that needs to be told. So that we understand that war is true chaos, and that war isn’t pretty. But that bravery and genuinely good people make a difference when they’re fighting for a cause that is just and true and seeing that bravery and that drive to win the day, also brought about… an inspiring episode. Because when you see the odds, these men overcame to invade that beach and to establish a foothold, you cannot help but feel awe and wonder. Because now we understand the sacrifice. The drive, the desire to stop the Nazi War Machine at any cost, and that… is more inspiring than watching John Wayne give a speech or seeing a talented actor playing a German general, showcase deep fear of the fall to come. Because this is real heroism on display, this… is why the tide turned and well… hopefully this episode becomes the watermark for telling stories about D-Day. So that people really understand the fear and the bloodshed and the push of this day. Of how it was not a moment of nobility, for that is the label that comes after for the victors of a war. But how instead, it was a mission, a duty, a goal that had to be accomplished and how scattered and scared souls found a way to come together to make that happen and turn the tide. Until next time. Watch ‘Band of Brothers’
Written by John Edward Betancourt
One particular truth about war that each and every one of us come to understand in adulthood, is that it is hell and often unnecessary. For people die, people suffer, and destruction is everywhere, often in the name of greed or ego or ideology. Which has forced Americans, to spend most of the 20th Century and a fair chunk of the 21st, surrounded by it as American interests brought forth seemingly endless and needless wars in Vietnam, Korea and even the War on Terror went on for far too long, and did not provide the end result we wanted it to. Leaving all of us to wonder why we even bother with war anymore. But there was a brief moment in time, where war was something else, where it was a noble and just cause.
For back in the 1930s and 1940s, the world and all of humanity, stood on the brink of real devastation. For Adolf Hitler and his Third Reich Nazi War Machine, had captured a fair chunk of Europe, and plunged it into fascist chaos. The kind that brought about atrocities and genocide in the process, and the unchecked nature of the spread of the Reich, left the world to wonder… if a dark age was upon humanity. Where the Reich would rule all. But the United States, and Europe and the other Allied Forces of the world, opted to stand tall and stop the Nazi regime from spreading its very real evil around the world and that… is quite the noble cause. One that fought for freedom, fought for what was right and fought to shun evil from this world, and since the world once again stands on the brink of concern… now it is more important than ever to reflect on that noble fight, and why we stepped into it, and what better way than through three stories that will showcase and showcased what we are capable of when we unite against the evil of the world. After all, we are but twenty days away from the release of Masters of the Air on Apple TV+, and this third entry in a bold trilogy of stories about the brave souls that fought in the Second World War, will undoubtedly inspire us, and remind us of why we fight. But truly, it is best to start at the beginning of this journey and revisit Band of Brothers. A story that was released 24 years ago but still holds up and still features gravitas. For it was a supremely accurate re-telling of the men of Easy Company. The 101st Airborne, who quite literally leapt into the war on D-Day to fight the Nazis and well… their story is important to revisit. For they weren’t Hollywood heroes and fighting machines. They were men, barely men in some cases, that signed up to defend their country after the events of December 7, 1941, and their story started where the story of so many other soldiers began… in boot camp.
Because training is essential to making a soldier the dynamic warrior they are expected to become. But this story deserves extra scrutiny on that training. For the 101st was in fact, the real paratrooper squad for the United States Armed Services in World War II and underwent unique training for certain. The kind that ‘Part One: Currahee’ explored in fascinating detail. Since we learned a new regiments training, required new thinking for how we train soldiers to fight. Especially ones that would do more than just charge ahead and open fire. For these men would drop from the sky and offer different support for missions in this war and the wars to follow. Which in turn allowed for us to see that perfection was the name of the game for this regiment back in the day. For they had to be perfect and needed their wits about them at every turn. Which is why we both love and hate Captain Sobel in this tale, because while his methods are at times, excessive and pedantic… they did demand perfection, and they did achieve it.
Since this episode also features the growth of Easy Company. To the point where Sobel has little impact upon them near the end of their training, for they understand his message, THE message that all needed to comprehend for this fight. In that, the Axis war machine was just that. Well-oiled and hungry, and it would take a perfect fighting force to stop them. And this regiment became so good, so flawless, they were forced to dump Sobel, mainly because… he didn’t understand war… just how to prepare men for it. And that was indeed important. Because bloused trousers and fine stitch points for a sergeant mean nothing in the heat of battle. Creativity, and a drive to do what must be done had to come into play and Sobel simply didn’t have that. And while Easy’s methods for changing leaders may not have been ideal, it got the job done and had them ready to truly fight. All of which brought forth, a fascinating story. One that showcased boot camp in a realistic light for a change, free from the bombast that we tend to usually see in such stories and truly reminded us… that this was a different war. One where people joined up for vastly different reasons than they do now and understood what was at stake and gave even their training their all. Not to impress an individual man, but to really push back against the Nazis and show them, the world would not go quietly into the night and that alone… makes this episode worthwhile, but it has more wonders to offer than that. Since it also helps us to get to know the many men of Easy Company, everyday gents that we can relate to because they were us, ARE us, even a damn near century later, and it is quite powerful to connect with everyday men, that gave up the mundane and put everything on the line… to ensure a better tomorrow for all of us. Until next time. Written by John Edward Betancourt
Caution: This article contains spoilers for Episode 206 of ‘Reacher’. To revisit the previous episode, click here.
When we find ourselves in trouble, or dealing with someone unsavory that is causing some level of harm, there is only one way to really stop that problem and that is… to fight back. Because to do so is the only way to know exactly how tough our opponent or opponents are, so we know how best to be done with them, and well… that’s why we need to take a swing and often times, that swing is quite worthwhile. For a great deal of bullies in this life hate being clapped back upon verbally or physically, so a show of force tends to get them to disappear. But now and again, we do indeed take a shot and learn that who and what we are dealing with is tougher than expected and scarier than expected. Which forces us to rethink how best to escape their nonsense and well, this particular problem is top of mind today, simply because it served as the central problem that Reacher and his team dealt with in the next episode of Prime Video’s Reacher. For ‘New York’s Finest’ saw the team taking a beat to process the fact that Swan was involved in this madness, something that Reacher still believed was not the case, and well… being attacked in this manner left everyone believing that the time had come, to go on the counteroffensive. Because the only way to really get the answers they needed, and to be safe, was to get to the source and compel them to speak and well that prompted the group to put together quite the bold plan. One where Detective Russo would put a full court press on a police official that could make a difference while Reacher and the SIU, spoke with Marlo Burns, the New Age director who sent them to an ambush and undoubtedly had more knowledge that she expected and well, that brought about progress. Where Russo made it clear that someone was onto the plan and where Reacher’s team were able to compel Burns to not only spill the beans about how this came together and who else was involved, but she was eager to absolve Swan of any wrongdoing since she painted him in a positive light, and… she was willing to bring Reacher face to face with Langston. But alas, that move, which would have been the perfect finish to this sucker punch and moved this case in the right direction… was blocked. Because Russo, who also stepped up and conducted overwatch on Burns’ daughter to keep her safe while the other plan went into play, found himself under fire by Langston’s assassins. Forcing the group to part ways to keep that young girl safe. And while that did bring Reacher close to Langston, since he was able to put down all of his lackeys, he was not prepared for the resources that Langston harbored. Which allowed for the bad guy to escape, and Langston made it clear how tough he is, by way of this counterpunch landed. For its delivery brought about… a hero’s end for a down home and honest New York Police Department Detective. Because Russo did put himself in harm’s way to make sure that little girl was okay, and it cost him everything. Which made for an epic and bittersweet tale really. One that really did see our heroes be surprised by Langston. Because he had his slimy butt covered at every turn and knew exactly how to bait Reacher into buying time for his escape and of course… he once again won the day at the cost of an innocent and good life and that’s a shame. Because let’s be honest, we all wanted Russo to see this to the end and be a hero in the department, and a round of applause is in order for Domenick Lombardozzi for making such an impact this season with his amazing performance as Russo, and he will certainly be missed. Which means that now… the mission also demands justice for Russo, and it will be interesting to see what Reacher and the team do next, now that they have exchanged hard blows with Langston. Until next time. Watch ‘Reacher’
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