Warning do not read unless seen episode.
This is part two of one of my favorite episodes of the show and TV episodes in general. The only bad thing about this episode is the music at the end was completely inappropriate and just the wrong track for such a sad moment; I just thought that really didn't fit with the ending; if it help you can always push mute on the button before it come on.
This two parter no doubt predates the episode "Perchance to Dream" from "Batman the Animated Series" and the movies "Jacob's Ladder" and "Abres Los Ojos" just like in that episode and those movies Shipwreck's perception of reality is just falling apart at the seems as he is truly having trouble deciphering reality from fantasy. We're in the same boat as him we're trying to figure out what the hell is going on and why.
However, to me what really makes this two parter interesting is the fact there isn't one ounce of action which is something different for the show as just about every episode consists of an action sequence. But that's not a bad thing because it was, I feel a break from the usual norm as by its nature this two parter is one that was really a sci-fi suspense thriller and it really delivered on the suspense. Throughout the episode we are in constant suspense as we are a step ahead of Shipwreck and hoping he'll discover the truth in time not just to escape the clutches of Cobra but also to save his own sanity. Though you could say Shipwreck is fighting on the battlefield but it's not physical this time but psychological, which makes the stakes even higher because it's the kind no one can every walk away from because we carry it with us every day.
It's all revealed why everything is not completely kosher as he is really on an prison island built by Cobra and their trying to get the formula from him. This two parter, kinda also makes you hate Cobra a little just showing how they are willing to step over the line to get what they want.
One of the highlights no doubt is the interrogation scene which is interesting as they are using some sort of holographic therapy technology. It's ironic as it once again pertains to one of themes of the episode about our perception of reality. We really feel for Shipwreck as his sanity once again is being pulled apart which all the more makes us want him to win, get his sanity back so he can knock this foundation of lies down. And on a side note really like the person running the interrogation Carol Demming, she is so fraking hot she definitely wears the blue crimson guard uniform well; it's too bad she never became a character for the franchise it felt like there could be potential.
The two part though is also a character drama as we see a more emotional side to Shipwreck which shows us how human Shipwreck truly is and reminds us of the mortality of the characters in "G.I. Joe." But also, really gets at the theme about lost dreams. Through the mind frak ordeal, Shipwreck has been evaluating himself and most of his life. As he has seen and got a little of his taste of civilian life, he realizes some of the dreams he had not dreamed again in a long time have reawakened. From this reawakening he begins to once again believe that having a life after wartime is possible and that he can have love, family, and a role outside of G.I. Joe. It's satisfying when we see Shipwreck finally become disillusioned and make his break, but what makes this different is actually seeing Shipwreck using his brain to win which is cool as he's usually a man of action.
It was nice seeing Lady Jaye again during the final minutes showing she didn't die, along with the real Flint. Seeing those two showed that they are both real and still a part of his life. But it's somewhat bittersweet as it reminds us of the reality Shipwreck must go back to. It then comes down to the final heart sinking minutes, we see Shipwreck look at the house burning that was suppose to be his home and he says a line that I'll admit put a tear or two in my eye, "Nothing just a dream or two." It truly was heart sinking when he says it because it showed how lost and distant his dreams really are if his war against Cobra continues, he can never come home.
Rating: 4 stars
This is part two of one of my favorite episodes of the show and TV episodes in general. The only bad thing about this episode is the music at the end was completely inappropriate and just the wrong track for such a sad moment; I just thought that really didn't fit with the ending; if it help you can always push mute on the button before it come on.
This two parter no doubt predates the episode "Perchance to Dream" from "Batman the Animated Series" and the movies "Jacob's Ladder" and "Abres Los Ojos" just like in that episode and those movies Shipwreck's perception of reality is just falling apart at the seems as he is truly having trouble deciphering reality from fantasy. We're in the same boat as him we're trying to figure out what the hell is going on and why.
However, to me what really makes this two parter interesting is the fact there isn't one ounce of action which is something different for the show as just about every episode consists of an action sequence. But that's not a bad thing because it was, I feel a break from the usual norm as by its nature this two parter is one that was really a sci-fi suspense thriller and it really delivered on the suspense. Throughout the episode we are in constant suspense as we are a step ahead of Shipwreck and hoping he'll discover the truth in time not just to escape the clutches of Cobra but also to save his own sanity. Though you could say Shipwreck is fighting on the battlefield but it's not physical this time but psychological, which makes the stakes even higher because it's the kind no one can every walk away from because we carry it with us every day.
It's all revealed why everything is not completely kosher as he is really on an prison island built by Cobra and their trying to get the formula from him. This two parter, kinda also makes you hate Cobra a little just showing how they are willing to step over the line to get what they want.
One of the highlights no doubt is the interrogation scene which is interesting as they are using some sort of holographic therapy technology. It's ironic as it once again pertains to one of themes of the episode about our perception of reality. We really feel for Shipwreck as his sanity once again is being pulled apart which all the more makes us want him to win, get his sanity back so he can knock this foundation of lies down. And on a side note really like the person running the interrogation Carol Demming, she is so fraking hot she definitely wears the blue crimson guard uniform well; it's too bad she never became a character for the franchise it felt like there could be potential.
The two part though is also a character drama as we see a more emotional side to Shipwreck which shows us how human Shipwreck truly is and reminds us of the mortality of the characters in "G.I. Joe." But also, really gets at the theme about lost dreams. Through the mind frak ordeal, Shipwreck has been evaluating himself and most of his life. As he has seen and got a little of his taste of civilian life, he realizes some of the dreams he had not dreamed again in a long time have reawakened. From this reawakening he begins to once again believe that having a life after wartime is possible and that he can have love, family, and a role outside of G.I. Joe. It's satisfying when we see Shipwreck finally become disillusioned and make his break, but what makes this different is actually seeing Shipwreck using his brain to win which is cool as he's usually a man of action.
It was nice seeing Lady Jaye again during the final minutes showing she didn't die, along with the real Flint. Seeing those two showed that they are both real and still a part of his life. But it's somewhat bittersweet as it reminds us of the reality Shipwreck must go back to. It then comes down to the final heart sinking minutes, we see Shipwreck look at the house burning that was suppose to be his home and he says a line that I'll admit put a tear or two in my eye, "Nothing just a dream or two." It truly was heart sinking when he says it because it showed how lost and distant his dreams really are if his war against Cobra continues, he can never come home.
Rating: 4 stars
