Anticipating Pac 2

Watched the tape of the first episode of Pacific this morning, and enjoyed it.  Thus far, though Band of Brothers has a better start.  But then that may not be fair.  BoB starts with an extended episode that focuses on the intra-company dynamics between Sobel and everyone else. 

For more on episode one, check below:


I guess I find the beginning narration of the first episode to be a bit annoying.  Are Americans really that poorly educated about the Pacific war?  Probably yes.  Guadalcanal's strategic relevance needed to be addressed, but other than that, I am not sure how much is necessary.  Hanks and Spielberg are right, I guess, in assuming that Americans are pretty ignorant.

• The episode then has a few moments with some veterans, and, like BoB, we have no clue as to who these guys are except these guys are not the main protagonists who are dead. [Highlight previous few words to be uber-spoiled].  Sixty seven years is a might long time between the battles and now.

• The focus will be more squarely on the grunts--the sergeants--BoB moved back and forth between officers and enlisted, with the early focus on Captain and then Major Lewis.  Perhaps some officers will emerge here, but the Colonel with the moving speech, the legendary Chesty Puller, was on target as he put the onus of the Marine effort on the non-commissioned officers.  Nice to set the tone with that.

• Striking that the first casualty depicted clearly in the movie is one by friendly fire.  And that the one with the biggest impact was of the unarmed Japanese soldier who seems to have been driven crazy by the night's fighting.

• Hardest part of watching this may be the night battles.  I don't remember that BoB's action being as hard to follow. 

• And, of course, they spoil the action as the major battle scene was preceded by text that named the location--Alligator Creek. The name of a spot on Guadalcanal is going to matter only if it is major battle site.

• The first episode was directed by Tim Van Patten, half brother of Dick Van Patten, and, more importantly, was Salami in White Shadow and has directed episodes of Homicide, Sopranos, Deadwood, and Rome.

 I have no doubt that the series is going to be terrific.  Comparisons with Band are inevitable and perhaps unfair because that series was so very good.  I am sure that this series will be strong enough to provide enough material for good debates between BoB and Pac fans.