54 replies to this topic

[AimingforYoko]

Bravo reaches Baghdad, where the men are shocked by the sheer size and scope of the city. They set up shop in an abandoned cigarette factory and get a chance to rest for a bit, although the factory grounds aren't quite as secure as they'd like. Hampered by having only one translator for the battalion, First Recon can only send out sporadic patrols into the city. During those patrols they discover the list of problems the Iraqis face is much greater than the Marines could imagine. Their attempts to help are thwarted by ever-changing assignments, a lack of necessary supplies, unruly locals and cultural misunderstandings. While Colbert worries about his friend Kocher, who has been demoted, Fick becomes more and more disillusioned with the lack of a plan in Baghdad, and refuses an order that would put his men in danger. The men learn their final night in Baghdad is upon them and celebrate in a soccer stadium. They head south to an abandoned Iraqi army base to wrap things up, but not before Ferrando's misguided enthusiasm has disastrous results. The Marines take inventory and reflect on their time in Iraq, and tensions that have been simmering throughout finally boil over during a friendly football game. Scribe says his goodbyes to the men and has an interesting conversation with Ferrando before heading off. One of the Recon Marines shows the movie he's put together from footage he's shot. The men enjoy the sights and sounds before drifting off

OK, Evan 'serpentining' from the sniper might have been one of the funniest things I've ever seen. I think I lost oxygen for a good 30 seconds there. Capt. America, what is there to say? He panics at the slightest shadow, but doesn't even question searching for mines at night. Although he was nearly matched in stupidity by Ray, trying to take on Rudy. Yeah, that's an even fight.
"The ones who can't kill will always be subject to those that can." Rock solid truth from the Iceman.

[alynch]

That was just about a perfect episode. I gotta say, that Patterson is very crafty, using the football game as an excuse to deck Encino Man without greatly jeopardizing himself.

I really liked that final montage, and the way that something in the video gradually put every person off to the point of leaving, and it's so logical that Brad would be the one not to even watch it in the first place. It was also very appropriate for Trombley to be the only one who watches all of it. A significant amount of that footage, by the way, was apparently shot by actual First Recon Marines during the invasion.

I also very much enjoyed the playful cruelty of Brad letting the team sing a country song while Ray was asleep. I think that type of passive aggressive taunting officially makes them more married than Rudy and Pappy were.

That scene between Captain America and Brad was also kind of hard to watch. Captain America is not a bad person, but seeing him try to rationalize himself to Brad, it was just sad to see somebody so profoundly not get it.

And I concur about the scene where Evan 'serpentines' away from the sniper fire. Yet another instance of a moderately funny scene in the book becoming fall down hilarious in the series. As long as I'm on the subject, Lee Tergesen might've given one of the better minimal dialogue performances I've ever seen. His battle reaction shots have always been great, and that scene where he says goodbye to Brad and company, saying only "Thanks," was handled perfectly.

Lastly for now, the exchange between Fick and Evan when they discuss the possibility of writing books: Was it amusing or annoying? I'm going with amusing.

[Twist6989]

I think by the end of the last episode that sadness of the reality that this was all ending hit me and it became very clear by Ray's uncharacteristic quietness. "No more Ripped Furl." Also, the anger by the end of it was very revelant to what many of the Marines were feeling. Again, poor Ray trying to attack Rudy. I stand by my love for him by saying that the lack of Ripped Fuel and probably being beaten up in high school made him do it. However, by the end, when Ray and Bard share that one look. It almost made it all better.

Edited by Twist6989, Aug 24, 2008 @ 10:00 PM.

[vossnor]

I am torn between the things in this ep that made me happy, and the things that made me sad. The fight between Ray and Rudy made me very sad. When all was said and done, without his Ripped Fuel, his pimp glasses and his spot next to Brad in the humvee, he still felt like the kid on the high school debate team who was sick of the jocks pushing him around.

The whole foot ball game put me off. Douches like Encino Man were in their element - still coming out on top while the people with an ounce of sense like Ray, Brad and Nate were still struggling with it all.

I'll agree that the "moment" of exchanged looks between Ray and Brad helped some. Sadly, the fangirl in me desperately wanted there to be a little "that was some fucked up shit, huh Brad?" moment where we got a hug, a slap on the back...something. It would have unrealistic and not in the tone of the whole series, but I still desperately wanted it.

Things that made me happy in this ep:

Ray: "You sang King of the Road without me?!"

Kocher: "There's nothing to be done, Brad. Just suck it up and smile" (this also made me kinda sad)
Kocher about Captain America: "He's got an uncle who's a full bird colonel - I'm sure he's mentioned it."

The -look- on Nate's face when Evan serpantined and Brad's "What the fuck was that?!"

The scene where the dude asks Ray if he has any valium - "Valium...uh...no. I've got uppers if you wanna party all night."

The growing look of panic on Nate's face as the list of things that the Iraqis need grows longer and longer (also made me sad)

Brad: "They finally gave us a night recon mission!" - Ray: "You are really desperate, Brad."

Poke to Brad: "What do you know about detonation?" Ray in background - "Jack and Shit."

When Nate tells Encino Man that they won't be doing foot patrols at night in the middle of all the shooting and Brad says, "I trust your judgement, sir."

Brad eating crackers and what I hoped was jalapeno cheese.

[PenguinHalo83]

I liked when Manimal was pissed at his wife and Sixta said "If moral gets really bad, Mike, let me know. I'll get them stirred up good with the grooming standard." Then he winked. Is it just me or did anyone else get a warm feeling for sixta?

[alynch]

Is it just me or did anyone else get a warm feeling for sixta?

I wouldn't call it a warm feeling, but it is nice to know that there is something of a method to his madness. Whether there's any real validity to his method, I really cannot say, but at least there's something going on his head.

[Hot Pink]

I am torn between the things in this ep that made me happy, and the things that made me sad. The fight between Ray and Rudy made me very sad. When all was said and done, without his Ripped Fuel, his pimp glasses and his spot next to Brad in the humvee, he still felt like the kid on the high school debate team who was sick of the jocks pushing him around.

I feel the same way. I think Ray had developed a persona for himself with the Marines and the idea of going home, and back to who he was, kind of shook him up.

I'm so sad that the miniseries is over. This was appointment television for me.

[SaraAnna]

I think Ray had developed a persona for himself with the Marines and the idea of going home, and back to who he was, kind of shook him up.

I'm so sad that the miniseries is over. This was appointment television for me.

Agreed, on both points. I can't remember ever rewatching episodes for a show multiple times every. single. week.

The scene when Manimal, Q-Tip, Chaffin, and demoted-guy were breaking into that building was kind of beautiful in a weird way. I've obviously believed all the grumblings about how overqualified they were for the missions they had, but to actually see what it looks like when Recon Marines use the range of their training was pretty sweet. Even if it was for some overblown pissing contest with the Marines downstairs...I mean, who jumps between buildings just to knock stuff around in a random office?!? Can you imagine if Brad Colbert was allowed to lead actual missions that looked like that?

Edited by SaraAnna, Aug 25, 2008 @ 1:16 AM.

[Kris_AB]

Folks who've read the book (a good number of you here, awesome), having seen the series now, would you recommend reading the book as well if I'm looking for more character moments or worthwhile Wright anecdotes that the series might've missed ? Is there a whole lot more, or did the TV series cover nearly every scene described by Wright ?

I liked the marines-breaking-in-scene with Manimal too. Did anyone else feel a tension in that scene, like something really bad might happen ? Enough things have in this series that I was prepared to not be surprised by anything this episode (god, the minefield injuries, so maddeningly unnecessary--and yeah, the guys lived and with comparitively minor injuries/losses to their bodies, but still, awful).

The mentions about writing books (by Fick, referring to himself and Evan Wright), that bit of dialogue might've actually happened, so I wasn't annoyed by it. It seemed a little take-you-out-of-the-show meta, but since this actually happened, there're actors portraying themselves, and my mind is often thinking during the episode about the real life situations...the whole show's unlike most dramas anyway, so they can reference almost anything and get away with it without being cheesy.

Purely superficial note of the week: The football game provided some great eye candy. Not what I tuned into the series for, but it's always a nice bonus. The actor playing Encino Man was nice, real nice, but by comparison Rudy is fucking He-Man, wow.

I guess anyone who'd been through that would want answers (re: Captain America) and would wanna stick up for those he believed in (Fick), but I thought Scribe threw his detached observational journalistic integrity out the window in his conversation with Fernando/Godfather at the end there. He's free to ask and scoff at and comment on whatever he likes while he's there, especially being at the end of his deployment (?), but it just felt a little jarring I guess. I know he sort of acts as the viewer's voice/spot (for some viewers), but we'd already been asking those questions and discussing those soldiers, so it felt a little unnecessary. A scene maybe better left as dialogue over the end credits ? (though I liked what they had in there tonight too)

Could've done with a few more episodes, but man that was a solid seven-episode run. DVDs ? I'll buy. Or if I have Blu-Ray next year, maybe it'll be one of my firsts (aw, I feel like the civilians the guy in the credits was describing who buy Us Weekly and People and care about what Jake Gyllenhaal is up to--never bought those magazines and don't care about what Gyllenhaal's personal life is like despite really liking him as an actor, but just...yeah, talking about upgrading from DVD to Blu-Ray after watching Generation Kill makes me feel like I've got my priorities out of place).

I can't come up with any coherent thoughts about what the series means (if it means anything other than giving us a snapshot of these guys' lives), at least not tonight. This episode was filled with a ton of great character moments. And a lot of sadness. And a few perfect thrill-for-the-viewers moments of the guys saying no to orders/requests, I know that's insubordination, but it was cathartic.

[simpatico]

I think my heart cracked into a thousand pieces watching this episode. Fick, Colbert, Espera, Kocher, Patterson, Person... amazing, amazing, amazing. Everybody. Everything. The fucking art of it. Just, wow.

I felt this was finally the episode where Wright's presence clicked for me. Previously he'd felt a little annoying and intrusive, but here I felt like he was serving the purpose he was supposed to. I was feeling everything he was at the end of this journey. His simple thanks and goodbye to Team One, his talk with Godfather, observing the wounded troops, his helicopter over the football game. Finally I felt like he was a true audience stand-in.

What a superb series.

ETA: Who were the two speakers over the credits? Was the second guy the real Ray Person? Or Espera?

Edited by simpatico, Aug 25, 2008 @ 4:37 AM.

[Magwitch]

Q-Tip, Chaffin, Manimal and Kocher's driver's recon mission into that building? That must have been the first time they got to do what they were trained for - and it wasn't even a real mission! But I admired how good they were.

[SaraAnna]

Who were the two speakers over the credits? Was the second guy the real Espera?

That was my guess, and if so, Huertas’ Espera was dead-on.

I think my heart cracked into a thousand pieces watching this episode.

WORD, tears were definitely welling…and then anger…and then laughter…. Seriously, what show am I supposed to watch now? No, really…

Back to breaking hearts: Ray and Nate particularly got me this episode, for reasons already discussed. Others: when Ray—off the Ripped Fuel and sullen about going home—didn’t get a letter? And when he doesn’t turn around for Brad right after his Rudy beat down? That one killed me; their supportive banter, like the series, was officially done (although I did like the sad/knowing smile exchange at the very end).

And on a far more serious note, when Nate hears (from the interpreter/spy!) that civilians are buying AKs for the same price as two packs of cigarettes?!? Holy crap. This is why I couldn’t be a Marine; having a little notebook of problems-to-fix that includes craziness like that. After everything that happened, I would totally be the one crying over the comms.

One Nate-related thing I didn’t exactly get: why was he all gung-ho about patrolling the city at night but shot down Encino Man’s order to do a night patrol of the park? It’s usually pretty clear when Encino Man is being idiotic, but were the danger levels of the two areas so different?

[Det Vic Monkey]

Kris_AB, the book is definitely worth reading. Mrs. Monkey has started reading my copy of it now based on enjoying the series as much as she did. Most, not all, of the major incidents covered in the book are covered in the series, but there is so much more detail in the description and "character development" especially of the lesser characters beyond Hitman Two and Hitman Two One Alpha.

Also, a few (surprisingly few, but they were there) liberties were taken in the series in depicting the incidents in the book. For example and without spoiling the book version, the fight between Encino Man and CPT Patterson shown last night occurs in a very different context as reported in the book, that if anything makes Encino Man look like even more of a prick than on the show.

On the strength of the show, I also ended up buying and reading Fick's book, and it has even more interesting stuff that wasn't in Gen Kill, including a lot of info about the unit's time in Afghanistan and its down time around Baghdad after Wright left. I was surprised to find out that Fick had known both Espera and Rudy before being assigned to the Recon battalion. Fick is an excellent writer, but chooses to emphasize different aspects of the story from thsoe emphasized in Gen Kill the book or series. For instance, you get little about his interactions with Casey Kasem, but really get a feeling you wouldn't from Gen Kill that he and the battalion XO had a very poisonous relationship.

[Reraizure]

As much as I agree with other viewers calling the scene between Scribe and Godfather as jarring, I believe it was necessary. After watching the incredible clusterfuck called Captain America for seven episodes there had to be at least some justification lest the impression remains that people like him would never be able to have such a position in the corps. And again I thank Simmons for providing some kind of perspective on such incompetent and unpunished behaviour.

The ending was really bittersweet in the vein of "The Wire", proving to me that Simons is truely a master of his art.

Oh, and the 80ies Pet Shop Boys inspired Eyecandy football game did not hurt either, calling back to the first episode.

[AllAboutMBTV]

Seriously, what show am I supposed to watch now? No, really…

And what show could possibly warrant rewatching it a couple of times during the week? I feel like all my TV Boyfriends just dumped me at once. I am SO sorry this is over (and yet the war is not...). I want just one or two more episodes to see what happens to them all next, even if it's just them sitting around at Camp Mathilda or in Germany somewhere waiting for their next deployment.

But it did end well, if a bit tidily, what with shirts-skins football game (whew, is it hot in here?) beatdown of Encino Man by Patterson (yay!) and the Ferrando/Reporter scene. Even Sixta kinda-sorta redeemed his behavior, and Doc Bryan with the children made my heart grow three sizes larger. I was enjoying the faux recon mission into the school (?) -- until they trashed the office and pissed all over everything. Gah... But that was redeemed by the scene at the end with them watching their own recap and peeling away, leaving that little grinning psycho Trombley.

I'll miss you most of all, Iceman.

Edited by AllAboutMBTV, Aug 25, 2008 @ 11:26 AM.

[Det Vic Monkey]

I really loved the panning shot from HumV to HumV near the end, with Ray and Brad bickering, Lt. Fick looking pensive, and the guys in Rudy's squad singing "Come Sail Away."

One of the greatest touches of the series has been to capture the constant use of pop culture, music, movies, etc. as an escape by guys in the field. I'd love to compile and post a list of all the songs we've heard "karaoke'd" by the Marines through the course of the series. That, and the constant stream of movie lines and references (I've caught people doing spot-on renditions of scenes from "The Big Lebowski" and "Heat" during a couple of the early episodes, just as background chatter behind the actual dialogue, and I'm sure I've missed more) are spot-on based on my time as an Army paratrooper years ago.

[darling]

The fight between Ray and Rudy made me very sad. When all was said and done, without his Ripped Fuel, his pimp glasses and his spot next to Brad in the humvee, he still felt like the kid on the high school debate team who was sick of the jocks pushing him around.

Yeah, there were so many things about this episode that broke my heart (first and foremost the mere fact that it was the last episode), but Ray disappearing inside himself and then freaking out at Rudy just about did me in. He had his sweet moments over the course of the series, in between the nutty, hilarious rants, but seeing the vulnerability take over completely was just wrenching.

But on the other hand, I'll probably be laughing over the reporter's serpentine pattern for days. Brilliant show and I'll miss it like crazy. Oh, and I'm so glad I'm not the only one who'd been rewatching episodes over and over. I mean, you really do catch new things every time.

[AudyGal0516]

I just got the book two days ago and I'm already halfway through. It's nice that even though the series is over, I have the book to continue on with. And I'll probably rewatch every episode.

I loved that even after Ray went after him and he kicked his ass, Rudy was saying "Ray, brother" and didn't want to keep kicking his ass, but talk to him. They are brothers no matter what.

Seeing the guys put their recon skills to use, even on a stupid self-mission, was nice. They really do kick ass, whether doing stuff they aren't used to or doing what they are skilled at.

It was jarring seeing Ray acting so different. I did love his "Jack and shit" when Espera asked Colbert what he knew about blowing munitions. It was also weird not seeing him behind the wheel when they were in Baghdad.

I am going to miss these characters, especially Iceman, Ray, Fick and Espera. I discovered a mild crush on Gunny Wynn for just being awesome, that Sixta isn't so bad, the actor playing Walt is way adorable, Doc Bryan broke my heart with that kid who with his shaved head and near crying reminded me too much of my beloved nephew, Patterson is my new hero and I already knew Captain America was a fucking lunatic, but the whole "shortcut" thing so pissed me off. I also will admit to tearing up when Scribe was saying goodbye to Team 1. Like breaking up the band man...it was sad.

[vossnor]

And what show could possibly warrant rewatching it a couple of times during the week? I feel like all my TV Boyfriends just dumped me at once.

I feel the same way. It is like a friend you make at summer camp - where everything is all intense and intimate for a condensed period of time...and then, whammo...it is over and you are left feeling all empty inside.

Which, it seems to me, is much like it would be for some of these guys serving in this unit. As we have already discussed with Ray, in the Recon Marines, he's the shit. He rides in the coolest humvee, Brad says he's the best radio operator in the business. Everyone thinks he's hilarious. You spend hours upon hours with these guys and they become your family, and then, as horrible as combat was, when it is over and you have to go back to Nevada, Missouri and see yourself on the Wal-Mart wall of heroes....well, that's gotta be something of a let down.

And as for watching the episodes multiple times, I am all about that. I watched "Stay Frosty" three times in as many days. I was trying to get my brother, who watched the series as only a casual viewer, involved in a very detailed conversation about the show, and he says, "It is a good thing you are not into gambling. You have a very addictive personality." Whatever.

[Satanshamster]

As sad as I am that the show is over, this way I will always remember Generation Kill as seven hours of perfect tv.

[SaraAnna]

As sad as I am that the show is over, this way I will always remember Generation Kill as seven hours of perfect tv.

I think that's a really important point. While I don't want it to end, it would be a difficult one to extend out, beyond the material available in the book. Granted, I haven't read the book (yet) to know how many other episodes could have been squeezed out...

And in some fantasy world, if, for example, Wright had embedded for a longer period of time/different tour/whatever and there was more material, it probably would have gotten increasingly hard to watch, seeing the same problems/issues over and over again, not to mention that we would undoubtedly see more causalties/injuries, and every time that happened, it would be a real person.

As much as I agree with other viewers calling the scene between Scribe and Godfather as jarring, I believe it was necessary.

I think so too. That's one screwed up system that clumps Captain America and Fick in the same category, but unfortunately that's what it is, and I appreciated hearing it explained from above, directly from Godfather. I thought Godfather's delivery spoke volumes to suggest that he personally believes the allegations against Fick are crap (I feel like Godfather might have been a lot like and reacted similarly to Brad when he was at the Sgt level). I also didn't think, as Jacob suggested in the recaplet, that Evan was entirely "grossed out" by Godfather; he disagreed with a lot of what was said, but when they shook hands, I dunno, I saw a lot of respect in Evan's eyes, even if part of that was "I would never want your job."

[Cizmad]

I also didn't think, as Jacob suggested in the recaplet, that Evan was entirely "grossed out" by Godfather; he disagreed with a lot of what was said, but when they shook hands, I dunno, I saw a lot of respect in Evan's eyes, even if part of that was "I would never want your job."

I interpreted more as his reaction to the phenomenon that Jacob observes pretty frequently - the "the sky is green", reality-adjacent system of understanding that defines the military mindset. To me, Evan's reaction was one of foiled expectations - in the moment of leaving, he stepped outside of what had been a complicit silence to ask the question, and likely expected that, in the liminal space of his departure, Godfather might be willing to stay outside of his box to respond as an individual, to acknowledge the unfitness of Captain America and the merit of Fick, or at least to indicate some frustration that his hands were tied. It wasn't there, though - Godfather's basically responded not with what he understood but what he was allowed to understand; not "the sky is blue, Nate Fick has better judgment than Captain America", but "the sky is green, there are complaints about both of them". It was a little chilling - as he once again became an outsider, a civilian, Evan was trying and expecting to get something redeeming out of Godfather, a window into something that he couldn't be privy to while he was among the corps. Instead, he got a wall - Godfather's veneer uniform on all sides. Maybe it was disgust, maybe it was respect, but I read it as a response to a final realization of just how completely individual thought and judgment is subsumed and isolated from action in someone who is so high in the chain of command. If there isn't some glimmer of reality-based thinking and decision-making there, where is it, and just how far away is it from observable reality and those who must negotiate it and resolve it with the inviolate doctrine that it is not as it is.

I'm not sure that was a particularly coherent assessment, but then again, it isn't a particularly coherent existence we witness in this show.

Edited by Cizmad, Aug 25, 2008 @ 8:48 PM.

[simpatico]

I'm sympathetic to Godfather. What might be blatantly obvious to us watching he gets second or third hand, from conflicting sources. Who is he supposed to believe? He would need to launch a full investigation, which, well, there's kind of a war going on. I think this is not at all black and white. The sky is gray and cloudy and ever-changing.

SaraAnna, I'm thinking the credits voice was Person now, based on how the voice sounds. You can hear the real Ray talking in one of the character vignettes on the Gen. Kill website. Not sure who the first voice is, though.

Edited by simpatico, Aug 25, 2008 @ 9:12 PM.

[amberlita]

What a bittersweet ending. Beautiful perfection, so sad to see it go. I can't wait buy the DVD and watch it 80 million times. I'm hoping we'll get some insight into what we are hearing over the credits each episode, especially this last one which was so perfect.

Love reading everyone's comments.

SIXTA!! His promise to rouse 'em up with a grooming standard....definately warm fuzzies for him. This is David Simon and Ed Burns right there. To drop a 6 second one-liner that completely changes everything you saw regarding a character in the 7 hours that came before it. Brilliant. I love that. I love that they do this. It also makes you wonder just what other seemingly imbecilic officers were taking on a bad-guy role intentionally for the sake of the men at the expense of themselves and nobody gets to be privvy to their own little personal sacrifice.

And poor Persons, losing it on Rudy. He never felt more like Ziggy than he did in that moment. You fellow Wire fans out there should know what I mean.

Edited by amberlita, Aug 25, 2008 @ 10:57 PM.

[vossnor]

I think this is not at all black and white. The sky is gray and cloudy and ever-changing.

Puts me in mind of a line from the Ben Folds song, "Philosophy."
"I see that there is evil, and I know that there is good. It's the in-between I never understood."
Weird how every song I hear lately seems to have some GK theme in it. That song also includes a line that could be a motto for some of these guys. "Won't you look at me, I'm crazy, but I get the job done. I'm crazy, but I get the job done."

Some angst for Brad in this ep as he struggles with the "in-between"...
"They're screwing this up! Don't they fucking realize the world already hates us?!"
"If we keep killing civilians, we're going to waste this victory."

Some lighter moments that pleased me...
When Brad finds Kocher and Redman hanging with Motor T (with rap music blaring in the background)
Redman: "At least we got tunes. Its gangsta back here with the POGs."

Ray to Rudy on the football field: "My sister needs her shorts back!"

And a scene that surprised me because it seemed like it would open the door to some homophobic rant by Manimal or Chaffin...
When the Iraqi guy hits on Garza..
Garza: "Hey Walt, I think we got a light one here."
Walt: "Just smile like it's all good!"

[amberlita]

Oh, great to see everyone moved by Ray's breakdown at the end same as I was. It was already solidly established Ray's contribution to the team and all the Recon Marines as the maternal glue, cracking wise and diffusing tension bringing Brad and Walt back to life, griping incessantly but in a funny way so as to BOOST morale rather than drag it down.

To see that in his own moment of need there was noone for him was heartbreaking. It was our first very human moment for Ray, to see even his exterior can be broken and when it is, there is no Ray for Ray. Not even Brad can do that for him. Nobody can do what Ray does for everyone else. That's beautifully sad.

[Samandipity]

I just finished watching, and am completely overcome. That episode was genius.

I loved the Johnny Cash playing during the movie--one of the few moments where actual music plays. And I loved, loved, loved that Nate, Brad, and Wynn didn't even watch the movie in the first place. That says so much about these three men.

Nate Fick killed me the entire episode. Wow. Nate's little notebook, and how diligently he was writing down every problem, the parallels between him and Evan, his nod to Brad at the end, his protectiveness of his men as he attempts to shield them from Encino Man, his vanished idealism.... On a lighter note, I loved his comment about the booze!

Evan's scene with Godfather didn't bother me too much. I think he was partly following his journalistic motivation to find out the truth and hear all sides, and partly showing a bit of bias--which serves as a reminder that journalists are people too, and Evan can't be unaffected by what he has witnessed. It was a nice mix of emotions and motivations that I thought Lee Tergesen handled very well.

The dynamics of the final scene fascinate me. Having a small faction not even watching the movie and then having all of the Marines except Trombley walk away against the backdrop of the rest of the episode was both anti-war and pro-soldier, a kind of screwby. Ray's reaction to Trombley in this scene and throughout showed this perfectly. So in the end, the scene, the episode, the whole series, showcases humanity. And, therefore, is art.

[pakelihe]

SIXTA!! His promise to rouse 'em up with a grooming standard....definately warm fuzzies for him. This is David Simon and Ed Burns right there. To drop a 6 second one-liner that completely changes everything you saw regarding a character in the 7 hours that came before it.

I like the fact that there were two moments, one with the grooming standard, and one with the "hooch".

Allow me to be somewhat smug, as I called Sixta putting on a show during my rewatch of "Screwby". Quoting myself from the episode thread:

On rewatch, I saw something that may have completely changed my opinion of Sixta. After he has chewed out Garza for losing his Kevlar, he shifted to Iceman, and Colbert says "Roger that, Sarn't Major". Just before Sixta turns away, he winks at Colbert, and gives him a little smile. I had to rewind and watch again, and darned if it didn't happen. Sixta might be acting a whole lot more than he lets on, which would make him a whole lot better guy, in my book. Did anyone else see the wink?

I agree with the everyone who has said "perfect" for this episode. I thought "Stay Frosty" was a littel disjointed and rushed, and just slightly less perfect than episodes 1 through 5. This one was perfection, pure and simple, I laughed until my side hurt, and I cried twice. This one really stayed completely true to the book, and yet was so very cinematic in its execution.

[Orion7]

After watching the incredible clusterfuck called Captain America for seven episodes there had to be at least some justification lest the impression remains that people like him would never be able to have such a position in the corps.

In one of the interviews with Kocher that I read (I'm not sure where), he mentions that Captain America was a very intelligent, well-respected officer before he got to combat and fell apart. He was such an interesting character. He knew he was falling apart (as his conversation with Nate about sanity in the previous episode indicated), but he just couldn't get past it. As Jacob pointed out in a couple of different recaps, he was right about much of what he was freaking out about. But losing your own control by obsessing over things you have absolutely no control over (the decisions of your superiors) gets you nowhere.

I might be reading too much into this, but the scene at the opening, when Ray is pissing U.S.A. into the sand, made me think that it was foreshadowing the difference these guys (or the U.S. itself, for that matter) were going to make in the country. It was a momentary depression in the sand, bound to vanish in the next strong wind.

To see that in his own moment of need there was noone for him was heartbreaking. It was our first very human moment for Ray, to see even his exterior can be broken and when it is, there is no Ray for Ray. Not even Brad can do that for him. Nobody can do what Ray does for everyone else. That's beautifully sad.

That was beautifully put, amberlita. It was also touching to hear Rudy's voice in the background as Ray walked away, immediately calling out to him to make up. He also gave Ray a little shoulder tap as he walked away from watching the video. Rudy and the real Ray were both in the round table feature on HBO On Demand, so I think they've put it behind them.

Watching Rudy in that fight with Ray convinced me that, had he wanted to, he could have snapped Ray's neck like a twig between his thighs.

I was prepared to be saddened at how little they were able to accomplish in Baghdad, but I was not prepared for the ineffable sadness I felt in seeing it through the eyes of these guys, even as they were trying to decompress as the mission came to an end. I can still see some of the faces in my head.

I, too, was impressed to see the recon guys actually use some of the amazing skills they have when they were breaking into the building the other marines kicked them out of. When they trashed it, it reminded me of certain breeds of dogs who have to be kept working and interested, or they destroy your furniture.

What was the purpose of moving the platoon around so much within Baghdad? A conscious command decision to keep the troops from becoming too attached to one particular neighborhood or group of people, when they weren't going to be able to do much for them anyway?

[SaraAnna]

I'm thinking the credits voice was Person now, based on how the voice sounds.

Oh yeah, it does sound like Person, simpatico...and actually, there was a bit of a Starbucks rant in there that should have been a tip off.

I might be reading too much into this, but the scene at the opening, when Ray is pissing U.S.A. into the sand, made me think that it was foreshadowing the difference these guys (or the U.S. itself, for that matter) were going to make in the country. It was a momentary depression in the sand, bound to vanish in the next strong wind.

Sad, but oh so true, that's a nice read of that scene, Orion7. Also,

When they trashed it, it reminded me of certain breeds of dogs who have to be kept working and interested, or they destroy your furniture.

YES! I know someone who owns award-winning, competitive hunting dogs, and if their crates are accidentally left unlocked, the entire house, let alone furniture, is completely destroyed by morning.