‘Echo 3’ Recap: ‘Flyaway’, ‘Tora Bora in the City’, & ‘The Gambler’

Written by John Edward Betancourt

Caution: This article contains spoilers for the series premiere of ‘Echo 3’.
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Each and every one of us at some point, have spoken to what we would do take care of our family and those we love, by using some form of the phrase… anything. Simply because our family means everything to us and the thought of sitting on the sidelines while they are hurting or in distress, sends our blood boiling and lets our imagination wander upon how far we would indeed need to go to make that happen. But more often than not, this is simply… talk and fantasy. For that kind of real trouble is rare… but not impossible. Since we do hear about kidnappings and moments that would put that question to the test.
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But even, it remains mostly fantasy. After all, in a kidnapping, the person hoping to see their loved one come home is truly helpless and they can do nothing but wait. And the same goes for folks that have loved ones involved in a particular crisis that could bring them harm. Which means that really… if we want to answer that question in the affirmative and follow through, we’d need the resources to pay the ransom or to rescue our loved one from their struggle, which in turn leaves us wondering… what would that look like? Well, it just so happens that a brand-new series on Apple TV+, takes the time to answer that question in a harrowing and engaging manner, since helplessness and a need to save a loved one at any cost, are the central problem present in Echo 3.

A feat that this series accomplishes in ‘Flyaway’, ‘Tora Bora in the City’, and ‘The Gambler’, by having the worst-case scenario take place for two men in this tale. For Prince is married to Amber and Bambi is Amber’s brother and they love her dearly and find themselves deeply worried about her. For Amber is captured by rebels in Colombia when she heads out that way to do research in her field, thanks to a military tracking device planted in her luggage by Prince out of worry, and well… since these men are special forces and have deep pockets courtesy of Prince’s dad, they answer the question for us in fascinating manner. In that… yes, if we had the resources we would go above and beyond to bring our loved one home.

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Since they take the time to fly out there, and work with the Embassy in Colombia and even go on television and radio to call out the Rebels and the Colombian and United States governments to get military action rolling. And of course, since they are special forces, they are happy to strike when needed and join the military on the raid to bring Amber home. Making it clear that resources would go a long way in this particular dream, as would guts since it takes that to do what these men do here. But what truly makes this series premiere worthwhile, is that it offers more than just the reality that endless resources bring forth endless opportunities to get what we want and need out of life.
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For this is a tale that also ponders upon the consequences of that of power, and the finer points of combat in the real world and how we glorify war and missions and raids when they cost real lives, the kind that change families and futures forever. Not to mention, this is a story that also reminds us… that having all the money in the world and wonderful military training, does not guarantee success in saving a loved one or getting what we want. Because people always complicate the best laid plans, especially when they are dedicated to their own agenda or a cause they truly believe in, and that’s a hard lesson that Prince and Bambi learn at the end of this brilliant and refreshing tale.

Because this is a thriller unlike any other. Because it isn’t just some ‘shoot ‘em up’ bonanza. It’s a deep story, one that grounds our characters and has vastly different stakes in front them. The kind that doesn’t involve revenge or a noble quest for freedom. It’s just love, it’s all done for love here and that is a welcome change, and it brings forth a vastly unique story. One that captivates and engages and leaves one eager or more. Simply because, there’s no malicious people here, just two solid human beings that want a person that means to the world to them… home and safe. And well, we want that as well by the end of this premiere, and it will be interesting to see if Prince and Bambi can pull off this spectacular feat, with hard defiance standing in their way. Until next time.

To learn more about this series and what the cast is excited for you to experience, and why they wanted to be part of it, check out our interview with the show’s stars: Michiel Huisman, Jessica Ann Collins, and Luke Evans.  

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