You know, during the entire episode, I could not help but sympathize with James Whitmore's character. Here he is, trying to keep 187 men, women, and children alive on the desert planet with hopes of returning to Earth. As the ship arrives, he is initially happy, but as the ship captain fills the colonists in on life on Earth, Benteen refuses to give up control. I honestly could not decide whether he has kept the people alive out of his own selfish need for power or for survival of the fittest. He seems to be a nice guy in spite of his flaws. I do not think his punishment in the end is that harsh at all because he has made his choice, whether the ship captain likes it or not. I think he deserves the consequences for his most foolish choice.
Review of On Thursday We Leave for Home
