Season 1: Episode 8: The Good, the Bad, and the Dead
From Bravo 3/44th
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Contents |
Overview
- Directed by
- Reynaldo Villalobos
- Written by
- Brad Radnitz
- Guest Star
- Tim Thomerson ... Sgt. Aubrey Decker
- Also Starring
- David VandeBrake (as David Vandebrke) ... First MP
- Stephanie Thi ... Rita Mae
- Original Air Date
- 19 November 1987
- Title Card
- In 1967, there were 486,000 American combat troops in Vietnam.
Episode Summary
This is a story of a soldier gone bad. Aubrey Decker had taught men to be good infantry soldiers in Advanced Infantry Training for years and for the most part, he had taught Sgt. Anderson to be the outstanding foot soldier that he was. It is common for a person to have a lot of respect and admiration for the one who teaches them how to survive in war. Anderson felt he owed Decker.
Intolerance for the weaknesses and shortcomings in others, is easy and a trait of humanity. We cannot easily understand the fall from powerful effectiveness to weak, inept fumblings. Zeke was determined to redeem the fallen man of war that he remembered in past years. The relationship between Goldman and Anderson had reached a firm footing by this time but we also see that relationship tried and tested in this story. Goldman was fast becoming a good officer and he was gaining some valuable experience under the subtle graces of Anderson.
Any war is difficult and puts heavy strains on the frailties of humanity. The Vietnam war was unique and added to the complexities of the confusions of war. Death is not the only casualty of war. In this story we see the casualties of war and life! (By Ernie)
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Transcript (see transcript listing)
Excerpt from scene [5:20] Stockade. Anderson and Decker
ANDERSON: Do you know who I am, dipstick? It's your sergeant, boy. I'm here to tell you to drop your fun, grab your gun, it's time to be a soldier, son.
DECKER: Anderson. What the hell are you doin' here?
ANDERSON: I've come to get your butt outta jail, young sergeant.
DECKER: I knew there had to be somebody pullin' some strings. Lemme look at cha. Three tours of duty they didn't put any holes in you yet, huh?
ANDERSON: No, that's because I had myself a drill sergeant in A.I.T. taught me to duck my head, move my butt.
DECKER: Yeah, you weren't exactly college material, but I tried to overlook it.
ANDERSON: That was a very foolish move you pulled with the chaplain's jeep this morning, you know that?
DECKER: Foolish move? Let me tell you what, Rita Mae happens to be the best little pro in Chu Lai. I was countin' beans all weekend, and I had to see her, what else was I gonna do?
ANDERSON: Sign this.
DECKER: What is it?
ANDERSON: You're in my outfit now: the U.S. God-bless-em-all humpin' infantry, boy. Let's move 'em out.
Song Listing (see full series listing)
- Spanish Eyes (B. Kaempfert/C. Singleton/E. Snyder) Performed by Al Martino. Spanish Eyes. Capitol, 1966.
Scene: Decker's drunken drive through the country, with a not very Spanish prostitute at his side.
Buy Song / Listen via iTunes
- Shapes of Things (J. McCarty/K. Relf/P. Samwell-Smith) Performed by The Yardbirds. Having a Rave Up. Epic, 1965.
Scene: From the cattle trucks, to the choppers, to the bush, the men move out, old and young soldiers alike.
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- Have You Ever Seen the Rain? (J. Fogerty) Performed by Creedence Clearwater Revival. Pendulum. Fantasy, 1970.
Scene: Goldman orders the men to load up the choppers. Anderson makes it to the LZ, to get Decker home.
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Trivia
- Anderson, Zeke
- was "screwed up 19 different ways" when he was younger
- Goldman, Myron
- uses reading glasses
- does not remember the catch that Willie Mays made against Vic Wertz in the 1954 World Series
- the above was probably before his time
- Horn, Roger
- has been recommended for a medal (possibly for his actions in Ep. "War Lover")
- Johnson, Marvin
- is the platoon's regular point man
- Ruiz, Alberto
- likes pepperoni pizza
Favorite Quotes
DECKER: I'm slowin' down, Zeke.
ANDERSON: Oh crap, Decker. If you were headed into town to get a few short ones, you'd be leadin' the charge.
RUIZ: You know, he's gotta be nuts. Anybody with eighteen years in gotta be missing some trolley wire.
Screenshots (see Screenshots page)
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