Generation Kill -1x5 - A Burning Dog [SPOILERS]

ixoy

Synopsis:

Despite an armored division's punishing response to First Recon's intelligence-gathering about an ambush-in-waiting at a strategic bridge, Bravo still meets stiff resistance while making several attempts to cross it; a survey of the battlefield prompts more questions than answers about the enemy; a roadblock in Al Muwaffiqiyah tests the Marines' ever-changing rules of engagement.

Thought this was an excellent episode (so much like the rest of them then). Bravo Platoon 2 get stuck right into a battle that's very intense and well filmed - it accurately got the confusion and indeed mess that can be made. It's interesting to see the cynicism of the platoon as they realise that not only are they armoured in crappy Hum-vees, it's that very fact that ensures it's their recon unit that's forced to test dangerous positions, like the bridge.

Nate seems to be trying to distance himself from his men, in an effort to assume the burden of command and having to put up with morons like Captain America (he was particularly amusing when he was ranting on the bridge and being ignored by everyone).
Ray is still the highlight with his observational moments, although Brad 'Iceman' has his share of moments too. Liked his retort about being brought up well against Ray's trailer trash upbringings.

godtabh

Sorry I wasnt around this weekend for this.

Thanks ixoy

Jim

Yar, another excellent episode. Its amazing how completly unobstrusive camera work and a total lack of dramatic keys (music etc) can make this show much more dramatic and emtionally envolving (much like The Wire). Just letting their actors do their thing along with the excellent script is such a joy to watch. Even my mother has started sitting down and watching it and she completly hates all war films/tv shows.

I hate the way HBO have started to put "Previously..." on the show though. The music etc takes away from the show a bit. Much like when they started doing it with The Wire, or when they had that flashback scene in ep1 of The Wire. Looks completly out of place.

Sad to see Pappy gone, quite liked him character. I found myself shouting "OH ****!" when that bullet went through Rudy's windshield heh.

Although I'm starting to find the character of Bravo's Captain annoying. He's portrayed as a total moron, unrealistically imo. Such as someone having to go tell him to lift the humvee out of the hole. Surely that would have been the most obvious thing to do in that situation?

ixoy

Jimeatsmenu wrote: »

Although I'm starting to find the character of Bravo's Captain annoying. He's portrayed as a total moron, unrealistically imo. Such as someone having to go tell him to lift the humvee out of the hole. Surely that would have been the most obvious thing to do in that situation?

I think that's the point though - none of the rest of Bravo Company can believe what an idiot Captain America actually is. They're constantly questioning him too and he got where he is but there's no real room to do anything. There is a world of difference though between him and Bravo-2's leader, Nate and I'm assuming it reflects the way chains of commands can end up in the real world.

Jim

ixoy wrote: »

I think that's the point though - none of the rest of Bravo Company can believe what an idiot Captain America actually is. They're constantly questioning him too and he got where he is but there's no real room to do anything. There is a world of difference though between him and Bravo-2's leader, Nate and I'm assuming it reflects the way chains of commands can end up in the real world.

I was talking about Bravo 2's leader, not Captain America. I can well believe someone like him exists heh.

The whole scene with lifting the humvee and the football reference was *cringe*. Was like watching the office or something.

ixoy

Jimeatsmenu wrote: »

I was talking about Bravo 2's leader, not Captain America. I can well believe someone like him exists heh.

Wait - Bravo's 2 leader is a Lieutenant. Do you mean the Captain of Bravo Company (as in all 3 platoons)? 'Coz he's the one they had to tell to lift the humvee out and he's the one Nate argued with. He's the one that the Doc dissed in the third episode, saying that he hadn't got respect for.

Edit: From reading HBO forums where marines are posting, the whole command structure and how it operates, including Encino Man, are apparently accurate. The events depicted are 80% accurate according to one of the members of the First Recon who posted on the forum.

Jim

ixoy wrote: »

Wait - Bravo's 2 leader is a Lieutenant. Do you mean the Captain of Bravo Company (as in all 3 platoons)? 'Coz he's the one they had to tell to lift the humvee out and he's the one Nate argued with. He's the one that the Doc dissed in the third episode, saying that he hadn't got respect for.

Edit: From reading HBO forums where marines are posting, the whole command structure and how it operates, including Encino Man, are apparently accurate. The events depicted are 80% accurate according to one of the members of the First Recon who posted on the forum.

Yes yes, thats what I meant, sorry. CO of Bravo.

Lafortezza

Yeah another good episode. There seems to be alot of dissention, frustration and pissed-off-ness brewing among the marines. It's been growing since the beginning. It'll be interesting to see if/how it blows up.

5starpool

Only 2 episodes left isn't there?

JPA

lafortezza wrote: »

Yeah another good episode. There seems to be alot of dissention, frustration and pissed-off-ness brewing among the marines. It's been growing since the beginning. It'll be interesting to see if/how it blows up.

Probably nothing will happen, like real marines and war. It's just constantly f-ed.

mcgovern

Pretty good episode, can't wait to watch this weeks one now.