Its a perfect set up. Brings plausibility to events you instinctively react to as not having much of a chance to come about in the real world - at least one hopes so - yet if the catastrophic eventualities were to occur, what would the world look like and how'd they be handled - questions that can be explored only in a dramatization. Its pretty much the American military stud stereotype - yet its fascinating - and leaves you impatiently waiting to see where will all this go. Where's the dividing line between sworn commitment to authority and the default recoil from it when the authority is itself athwart the principles that sanctified and established it. Makes you wonder, think and leaves you thirsting to find out more.
Episode 1 was a blockbuster. Then this thing meandered. It became more lost resort than last resort. And they got it back with episode 5. You forget the directionlessness of episodes 2, 3, 4. Every theatrical punch is delivered to perfection in 5. Its a crowning moment for a story when it is predictable but you can't wait to see it happening. Impossible odds overcome. Impeccable, unbelievably crafty negotiation. Disaster averted at the very last moment. Critics turned admirers. You enjoy an overwhelming impatience for events to unfold - you know how they will - you know its too ordered, too perfect, unquestionably artificial - what the heck - you don't spend your life on a roller coaster - you get on it to savor the short adrenalin rush - and episode 5 is one amazing ride - don't miss it.
