Toughening Up for 'The Pacific'

I wrote this commentary on the seventh episode of "THE PACIFIC":


"THE PACIFIC” (Episode Seven) Commentary

In Episode Seven, "THE PACIFIC" finally ended its three-part focus on the Battle of Peleliu. This particular one centered on Eugene Sledge (Joseph Mazzello) and his experiences with the 5th Marines regiment in the hills of Peleliu Island in October 1944.

The episode began with a montage featuring Sledge and the 5th Marines battling it out against the Japanese Army for a period of time – a first for the miniseries – until their return to the airfield for a brief respite. There, Sledge...

I wrote this commentary on the tenth and final episode of "THE PACIFIC":


"THE PACIFIC" (Episode Ten) Commentary

Well. After two months ou so, "THE PACIFIC" ended. Finally. I could discuss the entire miniseries, but this is about Episode Ten. The full review will have to wait for another article.

Episode Ten focused upon our three main characters – Robert Leckie, Eugene Sledge and John Basilone – returning accueil after the war in the Pacific Theater. ou perhaps I should say two characters, considering that Basilone was killed on Iwo Jima in Episode Eight. This allowed his story to be shown from...

I wrote this commentary on the sixth episode of "THE PACIFIC":


"THE PACIFIC" (Episode Six) Commentary

Before the first episode of "THE PACIFIC" first aired, the producers had pointed out that the miniseries’ centerpiece would focus upon the Battle of Peleliu. Fought between September and November 1944, the battle is considered controversial amongst war historians. Many U.S. Marines had been decimated in a campaign that historians now view as unnecessary, because of the island's questionable strategic value and the very high death toll. In fact, Peleliu had the highest casualty rate of any...

I wrote this commentary on the eighth episode of "THE PACIFIC":


"THE PACIFIC" (Episode Eight) Commentary

This latest episode of "THE PACIFIC" managed to affect me in a very emotional way. To my great surprise. And I find this amazing. After all, I knew what it was about – namely John Basilone’s return to active duty, along with his courtship and marriage to fellow Marine, Sergeant Lena Riggi. And I knew how it would end. Yet, Episode Eight had a great emotional impact upon me.

In a nutshell, the episode began with a glimpse of Eugene Sledge and his fellow 5th Regiment Marines at Pavuvu,...