Season 1: Episode 12: Pushin' Too Hard
From Bravo 3/44th
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Contents |
Overview
- Directed by
- Bill L. Norton
- Story by
- David Hume Kennerly and Dennis Foley
- Teleplay by
- Steven Phillip Smith
- Guest Stars
- Talia Balsam ... Vickie Adams
- Daniel Bardol ... Cook
- Also Starring
- Khoi Tran ... The Cameraman
- Dung Anh Thai ... Interpreter
- Thu Minh Thai (as Tu Minh Thai) ... NVA Soldier
- Phil Adams ... Chaplain
- Original Air Date
- 14 January 1988
- Title Card
- Sixteen American journalists lost their lives in the Vietnam War.
Episode Summary
The news media was a necessity to the war effort. Family and friends back home wanted to know what was going on in the war of Vietnam. Moms and sweethearts were glued to the TV's for the 6 O'Clock news avidly listening for the mention of the loved one's unit. In this story, the men of Ladybird company Bravo had two civilian newspersons among their ranks. This made for a much heavier responsiblity for the men fighting to stay alive.
Zeke Anderson's particular brand of 'mothering' was a joy to watch! "We do NOT go the bush to fight Charlie smelling like a house of ill repute!" Priceless! The excitement of the men; Captian Wallage's dear john letter; and the repression of pragmatic sensibilities cause a lot of problems for the Sarge and LT.
Yet in this maze of emotions you had the underlying real issue that Tour of Duty was dealing with. The news media was distorting the war effort back home. The media then came to Vietnam to ferret out the 'truth' of what was going on. Surely there were problems but basically we did a good service there. It was not all My Lai massacrers. Mistakes and bad decisions were made and men died. Tour of Duty told it like it was with respect and daring but the truth was uncomfortable for many. The Vietnam war was an enigma! (by Ernest Johnson)
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Transcript (see transcript listing)
Excerpt from scene [5:08] Sergeant, A Word, Please
VICKIE: Sergeant?
ANDERSON: Yeah.
VICKIE: I think this is gonna be a real interesting experience.
ANDERSON: Yeah, that's one way of lookin' at it. What's the matter, those, uh, public information types in Saigon didn't give you enough news about the war?
VICKIE: At the press briefings? The five o'clock follies?
ANDERSON: That's what they call them now?
VICKIE: The truth is the last thing they wanna tell us, so I'm here to see it myself, firsthand.
ANDERSON: Miss Adams, the truth is, it's very hot and dirty out there, and very dangerous.
VICKIE: You think I can handle it?
ANDERSON: I think my men are gonna be very distracted about having a beautiful woman along.
VICKIE: Well, thank you.
ANDERSON: I meant that as a fact, not as a compliment, now. And it is a fact. I'd rather my men be looking for booby traps than lookin' at, uh, lookin' at you.
VICKIE: Well, whatever. Uh, I just wanna make sure you give me a fair shake, just like you would some guy.
ANDERSON: I'll tell you what, Miss Adams. You do your thing. Just don't get in the way of me doin' mine.
VICKIE: My name's Vickie. What's yours?
ANDERSON: Sergeant.
Song Listing (see full series listing)
- Get Ready (S. Robinson) Performed by The Temptations. Gettin' Ready. Motown, 1966.
Scene: The men get ready to go on mission with Vickie Adams.
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- Born to Be Wild (M. Bonfire) Performed by Steppenwolf. Steppenwolf. MCA, 1968.
Scene: From the choppers to the jungle, the men mug for the camera, and the folks back home.
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- I'm Your Puppet (S. Oldham/D. Penn) Performed by James & Bobby Purify. You Must Remember These, Vol. 2. Bell, 1972.
Scene: Crossing the river and climbing trees for coconuts, the men try to impress Vickie.
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- Bridge Over Troubled Water (P. Simon) Performed by Aretha Franklin. Aretha Live at Fillmore West. Rhino, 1971.
Scene: After the memorial service for their captain, Anderson has candid words with Vickie, and Goldman seeks words of comfort for the men.
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Trivia
- Wallace, Rusty
- had been wounded; spent three weeks in the hospital
- has been awarded the Silver Star, the Bronze Star, and two Purple Hearts
- is married, but received a Dear John letter from his wife
Favorite Quotes
VICKIE: My name's Vickie. What's yours?
ANDERSON: Sergeant.
TAYLOR: As a matter of fact, they call me Coffee. 'Cause I... grind so fine.
GOLDMAN: I don't think Walter Cronkite's going to want this footage.
ANDERSON: Well, well, well, ain't this sweet, Percell? You look as clean as a Mississippi sheriff on Election Day.
JOHNSON: Don't move! I ain't in a good mood today.
ANDERSON: I'm gonna make it home, an' I know I'm gonna drive by a VA cemetery some day, an' I'm gonna look out there and I'm gonna get to think about what I did over here, an' I gotta know that not one of those tombstones is out there because of sumptin' I did. Not one of 'em. Can you say the same thing?
Screenshots (see Screenshots page)
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