The Pacific - Part 2: Basilone

The episodes start with a quick historical into, an explanation of what was going on at the time, what the military's plans were and what the soldiers were experiencing in relation to those plans. And then there are a few comments made by the veterans whose experiences the story is based on. It is an unforgettable reminder that what we are about to watch really happened; it is not fiction.

I don't think, if it was fiction, I would want to watch. It's too horrible. Fighting at night, in the dark, unable to see who you are shooting at or where they are coming from, running back and forth trying to keep all defenses strong. In some ways, it is more stressful to watch. All we can do is observe as our heroes take risks, fight men attacking them in the forest, and avoid getting shot by stray bullets without knowing that they are even coming. At least they had the luxury of having survival instincts take over, of not having the time to actually consider what was happening to them.

It is only the next day, when they are able to stop, to assess the situation, when the horror of what they went through sets in. First, a man realizes that he is still alive. It might only be for the moment, but at this moment, he is still alive, and that is the first step. Then comes the realization that someone you know is not, or is missing, and might not be alive. Can you find them? Will you ever see them again? And finally, what is the next step? Are we fighting again; where do we go next?

John Basilon (Jon Seda) survived the fight. He risked his life multiple times - to get more ammunition, to clear the line of fire, to save his fellow soldiers from attacks. At one point, after firing his machine gun for some time in one spot, picked it up with very little defense from its burning heat to move it to a better location. He did not realize he had given himself 3rd degree burns until the next day, when he was more concerned with the search for his lost best friend. Manny (Jon Bernthal), that friend, did not survive.

There was something almost disgusting in finding out Basilone was going to be put up for a medal for his accomplishments that night. What was a medal compared to his lost friend or his burnt arm?

Yet, the episode ended on an upbeat. Our boys were going back to America, back to their homes, but that wasn't what mattered. Back home, people knew about them. The papers had published tons of stories about their accomplishments and they were considered heroes. And, although that cannot take back everything they went through, at least their people know that they went through something and are grateful to them for it.