It seems far-fetched for younger viewers of the 21st century to understand the religious devotion and traditions of Europeans including the French during WWII. This episode may be labeled unrealistic especially seeing a stubborn old Catholic nun and young postulates jeopardizing the mission and safety of Lt. Hanley and his squad.
The so-called irrational moves and antics of Sister Therese are actually possible for an old fanatic lady cloistered in a convent for decades with a rigid schedule devoid of social contacts, only to be disoriented by the ravages of war. The safe and prayerful religious environment Sister Therese was accustomed to became totally upended by bombings, fightings, hunger, deaths and displacement.
I find this episode enlightening because this is a small segment of war that we don't really realize. War is war and it ruins the lives of everybody, even the senile, one-track minded nun who would rather hug a religious statue than keep others safe.
Kudos to the writers for tapping deeper into the true characters of the soldiers. Lt. Hanley defied common sense and allowed the four nuns to tag along. He'd rather be slowed down than leave them susceptible to German atrocities. Littlejohn was so impressed by the purity and goodness of the nuns and yet he had no qualms stabbing a German officer in front of them in order to protect them. Caje killed another German officer when he felt that the enemy would possibly kill the babbling Sister Therese. Kirby and Doc were ever helpful and respectful to the nuns. Overall, the American soldiers learned to accommodate the baffling religious practices of the locals while doing their duties.
The so-called irrational moves and antics of Sister Therese are actually possible for an old fanatic lady cloistered in a convent for decades with a rigid schedule devoid of social contacts, only to be disoriented by the ravages of war. The safe and prayerful religious environment Sister Therese was accustomed to became totally upended by bombings, fightings, hunger, deaths and displacement.
I find this episode enlightening because this is a small segment of war that we don't really realize. War is war and it ruins the lives of everybody, even the senile, one-track minded nun who would rather hug a religious statue than keep others safe.
Kudos to the writers for tapping deeper into the true characters of the soldiers. Lt. Hanley defied common sense and allowed the four nuns to tag along. He'd rather be slowed down than leave them susceptible to German atrocities. Littlejohn was so impressed by the purity and goodness of the nuns and yet he had no qualms stabbing a German officer in front of them in order to protect them. Caje killed another German officer when he felt that the enemy would possibly kill the babbling Sister Therese. Kirby and Doc were ever helpful and respectful to the nuns. Overall, the American soldiers learned to accommodate the baffling religious practices of the locals while doing their duties.