Like the previous episode, this is another outing where a bomber squadron commander is coloring way outside the lines. Gallagher is negotiating with German Col Schotten (Edward Mulhare) to quit using a group of nuns for cover to keep his observation post from being bombed. Col Schotten is a cultured chap who understand the dilemma but is not willing to let the nuns go. I think many British actors have played German officers in that sort of way. The episode centers on the interaction between these two colonels. It is actually quite good and the hour moves right along. It will hold you attention. Eventually, the nuns walk out on their own and the German troops refuse to shoot them as they depart. The colonel dies in the bombing of his post.
Despite being on TV for only three years, it is clear the writers are running out of ideas for the show. Understandable in that in a real war, men are trained to do one job and they do it over and over again. Given that, there is not much variety for writers to work with and keep it real. If these writers have it tough, imagine writing for "Rat Patrol" or "Black Sheep Squadron". Given their locations in the desert and on a Pacific island, the realistic writing possibilities are even more restrictive. Some of the later episodes for each show are just ridiculous as the writers are stretched for ideas.
The acting cast is excellent. Mulhare gains a little sympathy for himself. Joseph Campanella is fine as Father Roman but the character is a bit superfluous here. John Milford and Paul Mantee are acting veterans who are always reliable. Of interest is Lilia Skala as Sister Marthe. She had a long career, and this role is in the middle of her "nun phase" as she seemed to play a lot of them in the mid-60s. In fact, she was nominated for an Oscar for playing a nun in "Lillies of the Field". She also did two appearances on "Naked City" with Paul Burke a few years earlier. She is good here. Nice to see General Doud (Richard Anderson) get out from behind his desk and into the cockpit with Frank Overton joining him as copilot.
If Col Gallagher is going to keep doing these "off the wall" type assignments, he should leave Sgt Sandy Komansky (Chris Robinson) behind. The guy is a B-17 gunner for heaven's sake. He gets dragged along on these impromptu commando missions and he isn't trained for that. Robinson gets screen time so I guess it's all for a good cause. A decent episode as the series winds down. Do see it.
Despite being on TV for only three years, it is clear the writers are running out of ideas for the show. Understandable in that in a real war, men are trained to do one job and they do it over and over again. Given that, there is not much variety for writers to work with and keep it real. If these writers have it tough, imagine writing for "Rat Patrol" or "Black Sheep Squadron". Given their locations in the desert and on a Pacific island, the realistic writing possibilities are even more restrictive. Some of the later episodes for each show are just ridiculous as the writers are stretched for ideas.
The acting cast is excellent. Mulhare gains a little sympathy for himself. Joseph Campanella is fine as Father Roman but the character is a bit superfluous here. John Milford and Paul Mantee are acting veterans who are always reliable. Of interest is Lilia Skala as Sister Marthe. She had a long career, and this role is in the middle of her "nun phase" as she seemed to play a lot of them in the mid-60s. In fact, she was nominated for an Oscar for playing a nun in "Lillies of the Field". She also did two appearances on "Naked City" with Paul Burke a few years earlier. She is good here. Nice to see General Doud (Richard Anderson) get out from behind his desk and into the cockpit with Frank Overton joining him as copilot.
If Col Gallagher is going to keep doing these "off the wall" type assignments, he should leave Sgt Sandy Komansky (Chris Robinson) behind. The guy is a B-17 gunner for heaven's sake. He gets dragged along on these impromptu commando missions and he isn't trained for that. Robinson gets screen time so I guess it's all for a good cause. A decent episode as the series winds down. Do see it.
