‘Masters of the Air’ Recap: ‘Part One’ & ‘Part Two’

1/26/2024

Written by John Edward Betancourt

Callum Turner and Austin Butler as Major John Egan and Major Gale Cleven in ‘Part One’ of ‘Masters of the Air’. (Photo Courtesy of Apple.)

Caution: This article contains spoilers for the Series Premiere of ‘Masters of the Air’.

When we think about World War II stories or the war in general, we think of… the soldiers that fought bravely in what can easily be considered the only noble war in our modern history. For it was those boots on the ground that we hear incredible stories about, the kind revolving around bravery and a deep-rooted desire to defeat the enemy no matter the cost. Which has in turn, brought about countless stories about those men, about their fight at Normandy, and the battles that took place in the Pacific Theater. In fact, two of the finest stories in the past twenty-five years about the war, Band of Brothers and The Pacific, squarely examine Easy Company’s time in Europe and the struggles the Marines faced on far away islands.

But what we can never forget, is that it took every branch of the military to win the war against Hitler and his Axis cronies. For the Navy played its part in the Pacific Theater by striking back against the very Japanese Navy that sought to devastate America’s superiority at sea, through battles as important as Iwo Jima, and Operation: Overlord. But one particular division of the armed forces that really doesn’t get its due for their role in helping to end the war, is the Air Force. For their work in the skies above Europe and the Pacific Ocean were instrumental in the effort, and at long last, some of their stories are being told through the proper lens. For the very folks that brought us Band of Brothers and The Pacific have assembled a new story for Apple TV+, one set in the skies so that we can come to learn about the men that are rightfully known as the Masters of the Air.

For this particular series, plunges us into the heart of 1943. Wherein Majors Gale Cleven and John Egan make their way to England as part of the 100th Bomb Group, a part of the Eighth Air Force that worked in tandem with the Royal Air Force to do one thing, and one thing alone… devastate German forces and infrastructure through mass bombings. Which were conducted via B-17 Flying Fortress bombers, which are iconic courtesy of how well they held up under incredible duress during the war and how much damage they did with hearty crews that were brave and bold. But of course, we’ve only learned the basics about their work throughout the years, and few of us know much about the men that actually flew those flights and quite frankly, how dangerous and difficult their work turned out to be and that is what the opening two chapters of this story chronicle.

Barry Keoghan as Lieutenant Curtis Biddick in ‘Part Two’ of ‘Masters of the Air’. (Photo Courtesy of Apple.)

Since we spend a great deal of time with John and Gale, and learn a great deal about what drives them, the good men they are, and how much it means to them to be in the sky and commanding a crew of brave souls tasked with dropping those bombs and sending Nazis running. Which brings forth some powerful character moments, the kind that speak the mindset that a pilot requires to fly into the flak shields that Nazi forces sent into the skies when heroes came calling, and of course… how these men licked their wounds when not everyone came home, and really… that’s where this particular story shines. Because the majority of stories that do exist about the Air Force during World War II, are as glossy and fluffy as The Longest Day, when in fact… the battles that took place in the sky were just as brutal and as ugly as any other bit of combat in the war.

Which this two-part premiere showcases in stunning detail. Since we are in the cockpit with these men as the flak shields arrive, and we too feel the anxiety that comes forth with every pop and crack of those explosives. Since these men were deeply worried if the next one would penetrate their craft and wound them badly. Not to mention, we are also privy to the worst-case scenario for these crews. Wherein the flak shields do stunning damage to a plane and/or its engines and send it hurtling out of the sky and all these men can do, is watch in horror as their brothers in arms plunge to doom. Giving rise to real tension in this story, and a real sense of devastation not often found in stories in this vein, and a fine understanding… that these men also risked everything to stop the Germans from advancing but refused to back down and of course… would do everything within their power to see a plane make it home. As evidenced by a powerful sequence where every bomber and their crew supported a wounded bird.

All of which brings forth, a stunning premiere to an equally as stunning series. For it is obvious from the get-go that this chapter absolutely holds a flame to the two shows that came before it, and that much like The Pacific, it will offer up a story that is unique and refreshing. One that will truly explore the mindset of these brave men and see them tested like never before. Because there’s no way that their bravery was flawless through and through, and that should make for another supremely human and relatable journey through the Second World War. One that will harbor stunning visuals that showcase the bloody symphony that took place in the skies above Europe, while also providing us with incredible stories that we can relate to and learn from. Courtesy of the bravery of the men that locked themselves away in a plane to fight Hitler’s putrid war machine from up on high. Until next time.

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