‘Masters of the Air’ Recap: ‘Part Seven’

3/1/2024

Written by John Edward Betancourt

Austin Butler as Major Gale Cleven in ‘Part Seven’ of ‘Masters of the Air’. (Photo Courtesy of Apple.)

Caution: This article contains spoilers for Episode Seven of ‘Masters of the Air’. To revisit the previous episode, click here.

We have been taught through popular media, that in war, suffering ebbs and flows. As though there is an honor to combat, one that the enemy and the good guys adhere to, and there is of course… historical precedence to back that. The peace on earth moment that everyone in the First World War shared for example. Where bigger moments prevailed if only for a small slice of time in the midst of the chaos. But sadly, those thoughts and that particular presentation are not necessarily true in matters of war. Because after all, this is war, a fight to be superior and make one’s ideology the top of all things… and more often than not, the suffering simply continued.

A truth that was put on display in the next episode of Masters of the Air on Apple TV+. For the seventh chapter in this saga put more constant suffering on display, courtesy of two fascinating storylines, one of which involved Majors Egan and Cleven. For they were settled into POW life in their Luftwaffe run Stalag and while at first it seemed they were getting better treatment than most Prisoners of War, since their commandant was sympathetic to the pilot’s cause, life wasn’t easy. In fact, it was full of suffering. Just because, their diet was consistent of nothing more than potatoes and turnips, and that prompted the men to restore to some interesting choices to make their meals a little heartier than the usual fare and of course… there were dangers to be found here.

After all, this was the heart of Germany, a place where that hideous flag was everywhere to be found and since the enemy was in the midst of ‘home’, accidents happened often. The kind that saw tingles of cruelty and tingles of fury. Giving rise to talk about escape and attempts to feel something more than malaise and worry. Through hidden radios and devices to keep an ear on the war front, and well… it was only a matter of time before the tension in this place boiled over and it most certainly did. Courtesy of a massive escape that was orchestrated by members of the Royal Air Force, for it put the Stalag on the map and prompted a regime change and a terrifying threat. In that, the USAF had to hand over its Jewish members, or come under the rule of the SS and the Gestapo. Adding real worry to the future of the men in this place, while offering up a fine reminder of why we fought this war.

Nate Mann as Major Robert ‘Rosie’ Rosenthal in ‘Part Seven’ of ‘Masters of the Air’. (Photo Courtesy of Apple.)

Yet, while that was terrifying enough, there was still more suffering and sorrow to be found in this story. Because the string of success back in England, prompted the brass to order mission after mission for the 100th and all bombing wings, period. In fact, the successes were so broad and so sweeping… the 100th was finding its way over Berlin and dropping bombs on lil’ Dolphy’s doorstep. But this came at great cost. For planes were falling from the skies, and crews were still disappearing in the process and the new guys were all but an afterthought. Giving rise to real fear and real frustration at base. The kind where the men did everything and anything to find peace in their souls, if only for a little while. A move that left us wondering, when would the pain stop? When would the tide turn?

Well as it turned out, that all related to Rosie. For he and his team were finally at their 25th, and had the chance to go home, and thanks to a smooth bombing run over Berlin, one that finally saw real help in the skies thanks to the new P-51 Mustangs that were in service, 25 took place and Rosie… could go home a hero. But hearing that the tour number was being upped mid battle and seeing how hard these missions were on the other men, prompted Rosie to re-up his time in the Air Force. To be the leader the men needed and to see this through, and well… his return to the 100th and his promotion revealed that the hope his heroism brought to the table would come with a slight price. In that, the bombing runs would only get harder and would continue to go deep into Germany. Because the bombers and the P-51 wings would work together… to draw out the Luftwaffe and end it, no matter the price. For with the German Air Force in tatters… the invasion of Europe could begin.

Which means… we are close now to the Day of Days. That grand moment when America and the Allies landed at the beaches of Normandy on June 6, 1944, and turned the tide of the war. Giving rise to a strange crossover ahead since Easy Company was in the air at the same time as the 100th no doubt. But while we wait to learn about how the 100th was involved in that all-important campaign, we can celebrate another powerful tale. One that continued to speak to the dark days that preceded the moments we champion and focus upon, and that it took real guts to keep doing what these men did. To wake up and resist in those camps, and to fly those missions non-stop and hopefully now… these men start seeing the fruits of the labor in the days ahead. Now that the Allies are about to set foot upon Fortress Europe. Until next time.

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