Warning do not read unless seen episode.
This is my second favorite episode/two parter of the series and favorite episodes in general. This was a different kind of episode for G.I. Joe as this one doesn't involve the typical explosions and action we're use to but here this one is actually a surreal psychological horror. It's a bit similar to the film "Jacob's Ladder" in fact this two parter predates that film.
What really makes this two parter stand out is Shipwreck himself. Here we see him in a more humane light which makes it easy to emphasize and feel pathos for him. We're pretty much in the same boat as Shipwreck as he is not just trying to make sense out of the hallucinatory visions that are attacking his perception on reality and sanity. But also making sense of the regular suburban existence that he is now leading.
I'll admit it was really surreal seeing the Joes actually lead regular everyday lives. But seeing that just reminded us, how human they all truly are that even they have wants and needs and that war isn't forever. I really like how Shipwreck reacts to seeing it all where at first he's a little alienated by the sights and wonders how he fits in, which is a common feeling for most veterans coming back; it is an alienating experience living a life where you shipped halfway or all the way around the world it really doesn't give you a chance or enough time to keep your feet in touch with the ground.
But as he looks more into Springfield and his home life he begins to realize that there really is life beyond G.I. Joe and he's actually liking it. I get the feeling that he actually desired being married and having a family in his subconscious; but after fighting in the war against Cobra for so long he has put that dream aside for so long he's forgotten it all together. Which makes this all the more sad as he states he's afraid something or someone will take this all away from him in an instant which is a fear we all carry, because there is nothing to say it can't happen.
I really like how the hallucinatory scenes are handled it really plays around with our perceptions, half the time even we're not sure if what is going on is real or it's a product of Shipwreck's trauma. You can say that the hallucinatory scenes are in a way metaphor for Post Traumatic Stress. The visions of Cobra constantly tormenting him for a answer to a question he doesn't know, down to the creepy symthoids creatures are the psychological demons he's struggling with.
Can Shipwreck stay afloat, you'll find out in part 2 where Shipwreck sails deeper into troubled waters.
Rating: 4 stars
This is my second favorite episode/two parter of the series and favorite episodes in general. This was a different kind of episode for G.I. Joe as this one doesn't involve the typical explosions and action we're use to but here this one is actually a surreal psychological horror. It's a bit similar to the film "Jacob's Ladder" in fact this two parter predates that film.
What really makes this two parter stand out is Shipwreck himself. Here we see him in a more humane light which makes it easy to emphasize and feel pathos for him. We're pretty much in the same boat as Shipwreck as he is not just trying to make sense out of the hallucinatory visions that are attacking his perception on reality and sanity. But also making sense of the regular suburban existence that he is now leading.
I'll admit it was really surreal seeing the Joes actually lead regular everyday lives. But seeing that just reminded us, how human they all truly are that even they have wants and needs and that war isn't forever. I really like how Shipwreck reacts to seeing it all where at first he's a little alienated by the sights and wonders how he fits in, which is a common feeling for most veterans coming back; it is an alienating experience living a life where you shipped halfway or all the way around the world it really doesn't give you a chance or enough time to keep your feet in touch with the ground.
But as he looks more into Springfield and his home life he begins to realize that there really is life beyond G.I. Joe and he's actually liking it. I get the feeling that he actually desired being married and having a family in his subconscious; but after fighting in the war against Cobra for so long he has put that dream aside for so long he's forgotten it all together. Which makes this all the more sad as he states he's afraid something or someone will take this all away from him in an instant which is a fear we all carry, because there is nothing to say it can't happen.
I really like how the hallucinatory scenes are handled it really plays around with our perceptions, half the time even we're not sure if what is going on is real or it's a product of Shipwreck's trauma. You can say that the hallucinatory scenes are in a way metaphor for Post Traumatic Stress. The visions of Cobra constantly tormenting him for a answer to a question he doesn't know, down to the creepy symthoids creatures are the psychological demons he's struggling with.
Can Shipwreck stay afloat, you'll find out in part 2 where Shipwreck sails deeper into troubled waters.
Rating: 4 stars
