Summary: 40 minutes of dating, followed by 10 minutes of incorrect history.
I come away nearly every week being disappointed with The Pacific.
Again this week we were treated to nearly 40 minutes of soppy scenes and conversation between man and woman, that would resemble anything you'd see on your day-time soap operas - with better acting, of course.
The Pacific for the most part makes World War II come across as an opportunity for men to fall in love with women, while almost treating the war as that of a secondary story line.
A few weeks ago we had an entire episode set in Australia, and again this week, we've been treated to another 40 minutes of conversation, which ends very abruptly, completely failing to give John Basilone enough credit for his bravery.
Specifically this week, my problem was with the ending.
That's right, the short 10 minute segment at the end, where you actually get to see the battle the entire episode was supposed to be about.
While watching, I looked up John Basilone on the internet and read about the facts of his achievements, and death.
History dictates that John Basilone single handedly charged forward and took out a Japanese stronghold, responsible for mowing down hundreds of Americans on Iwo Jima - helped a tank escape an artillery and mortar barrage and escape from the beach - and was then instantly killed by a mortar blast.
The Pacific depicted him as just another soldier running forward with the group, being shot through the chest - dying moments later in an uninspiring whimper.
Not to mention the "single handedly destroying a stronghold" - was actually depicted as a group of soldiers throwing grenades into a bunker in one scene.
The ending absolutely fails to stick to history, and does not give John Basilone enough credit for his bravery.
This week's episode again comprised of 40 minutes of talking/dating, and man trying to get off with woman.
There are now only 2 episodes left, and regardless of what the producers do in those 2 episodes, it is now too late for The Pacific.
After 8 episodes, we still barely know any of the characters.
None of them are particularly likable either, with the exception of Leckie, who we haven't even seen in 3 weeks.
But even he ends up in a military hospital every week, producing full episodes of talking - and not historical documentation.
I find it amazing to believe this episode was meant to be about Iwo Jima, when the battle is an afterthought - given a rushed 10 minute segment at the end of the episode.
I guess Americans can't handle watching themselves lose a battle for 50 minutes.
Another Letdown, and not even close to the quality Band of Brothers.
The battle scene at the end was not enough to save this episode.
4/10
I come away nearly every week being disappointed with The Pacific.
Again this week we were treated to nearly 40 minutes of soppy scenes and conversation between man and woman, that would resemble anything you'd see on your day-time soap operas - with better acting, of course.
The Pacific for the most part makes World War II come across as an opportunity for men to fall in love with women, while almost treating the war as that of a secondary story line.
A few weeks ago we had an entire episode set in Australia, and again this week, we've been treated to another 40 minutes of conversation, which ends very abruptly, completely failing to give John Basilone enough credit for his bravery.
Specifically this week, my problem was with the ending.
That's right, the short 10 minute segment at the end, where you actually get to see the battle the entire episode was supposed to be about.
While watching, I looked up John Basilone on the internet and read about the facts of his achievements, and death.
History dictates that John Basilone single handedly charged forward and took out a Japanese stronghold, responsible for mowing down hundreds of Americans on Iwo Jima - helped a tank escape an artillery and mortar barrage and escape from the beach - and was then instantly killed by a mortar blast.
The Pacific depicted him as just another soldier running forward with the group, being shot through the chest - dying moments later in an uninspiring whimper.
Not to mention the "single handedly destroying a stronghold" - was actually depicted as a group of soldiers throwing grenades into a bunker in one scene.
The ending absolutely fails to stick to history, and does not give John Basilone enough credit for his bravery.
This week's episode again comprised of 40 minutes of talking/dating, and man trying to get off with woman.
There are now only 2 episodes left, and regardless of what the producers do in those 2 episodes, it is now too late for The Pacific.
After 8 episodes, we still barely know any of the characters.
None of them are particularly likable either, with the exception of Leckie, who we haven't even seen in 3 weeks.
But even he ends up in a military hospital every week, producing full episodes of talking - and not historical documentation.
I find it amazing to believe this episode was meant to be about Iwo Jima, when the battle is an afterthought - given a rushed 10 minute segment at the end of the episode.
I guess Americans can't handle watching themselves lose a battle for 50 minutes.
Another Letdown, and not even close to the quality Band of Brothers.
The battle scene at the end was not enough to save this episode.
4/10