‘The Pacific’ Recap: ‘Part Four’

1/20/2024

Written by John Edward Betancourt

James Badge Dale and Josh Helman as Private First Class Robert Leckie and Private First Class Lew ‘Chuckler’ Juergens in ‘Part Four’ of ‘The Pacific’. (Photo Courtesy of HBO.)

As we continue our journey through the fascinating series that is The Pacific, something quite fascinating is becoming clear. In that, the production team, the writer’s room, everyone involved in making this dynamic and powerhouse series about the Pacific Theater of War during World War II… were eager to offer up a vastly different story than the one we experienced when we watched the show’s predecessor series, Band of Brothers. Which is totally fine, and something that one can commend. Because no one wants to tune in and see the exact same thing over again, we want something new to focus upon and this show did indeed take care of that, by focusing upon something revolutionary for its time.

Because 2010, when this series was released, wasn’t exactly a point in our history where we were eager to discuss mental health issues and how trauma and stress can contribute to mental health problems. But this show… dove into that full bore. By showing often how the marines that fought in the Pacific Theater reacted to the horrors they saw and the terror they experienced, and well, perhaps the best example of how deep it was willing to go on such matters, was the show’s next episode. For ‘Part Four’ catapulted us in time to Christmas, 1943. Wherein the Marines were still moving about and doing their job and where Robert Leckie, dealt with some supremely hard times while fighting the good fight for the American War Effort.

For his arrival at Cape Gloucester brought about a battle not only with the Japanese Army, but the brutal elements of the region. For rain came down constantly in this part of the world, and the gloom of it, the threat of harm, it all took its toll on the unit. To the point where stupid and petty fights came about over equally stupid and petty things. Such as whose property was whose, regardless of the fact that it was stolen from Japanese bases. But it also led, to some real darkness. Such as soldiers who felt the need to use their bare hands to take down wounded enemies, when protocol called for swift and painless use of the bayonet on their weapon, and some… simply felt the need to check out of the war because of how rough it was.

James Badge Dale as Private First Class Robert Leckie in ‘Part Four’ of ‘The Pacific’. (Photo Courtesy of HBO.)

Sadly, even Leckie wasn’t immune to the darkness that poured over the marines in this part of the world. Since he began to suffer from nocturnal enuresis, which is an outright disorder where Leckie relieved himself in the middle of the night. In part because of the moisture surrounding him, but also because of the stress, of the tough things he was experiencing and well, his fellow soldiers were worried enough about this they sent him away. To a medical facility that specialized in broken soldiers. Which did give Leckie time to heal and time to rest, which he definitely needed, and it also gave him perspective. Hard perspective on the nature of the war, of the psychological damage it was imparting upon the men that signed up to fight, and that perspective left him both concerned and grateful.

Concerned over the fact that so many of his brothers in arms were so deeply rattled by the horrors they had seen; that their minds might not ever recover. But grateful that he was able to leave after being properly treated and feeling himself again. But what mattered more here, was the sheer fact that this episode was indeed, a deep dive into the long-term impact of war upon the human psyche. For we really did get to see how mentally healthy soldiers, begin to struggle with constantly being on alert and constantly having to fight, breaks aside. But of course… let’s be honest… it was the darkest stuff present here of note. Because we were able to see the devastating impact of war on the human mind, and how it can make men hopeless, and help them to lose their moral core.

For they are surrounded by death, and it was important that this episode showcase that not everyone can reconcile that long term and that breaks are very real. Because we need to know that there are other horrors to war than what we have seen to date. It can in fact, ruin a man’s mind and that is a fine reminder that perhaps we should avoid war long term. But that is another discussion for another time, and in the now… we can applaud one brave episode. One that put forth a powerful discussion on mental health and how war can have a profound impact upon it, and it will be interesting to see if this series will dig deeper into this in future episodes, as our journey through the Pacific Theater… continues. Until next time.

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