GENERATION KILL: Episode 1

The old saying goes “war is hell,” but it also seems pretty surreal. I have no personal knowledge, but there appears to be crazy boredom balanced by stay-sane humor — marked by the occasional unbelievable situation. With the premiere of HBO’s miniseries Generation Kill, co-creators David Simon and Ed Burns (The Wire) give us the nitty-gritty of the U.S. First Recon Marines, as told by embedded journalist Evan Wright.

Scene from Generation Kill

If you’re wondering about Generation Kill’s level of realism, consider the series’ consultants: Two Marines depicted in the show, Sgt. Eric Kocher and Cpl. Jeffrey Carisalez. Simon and Burns, who brought their real-life Baltimore experiences to The Wire probably wouldn’t have it any other way.

We’ll preview each episode here at the Lobby…

EPISODE 1 SUMMARY
Location: Camp Mathilda in Northern Kuwait, the region known by the military as the “tip of the spear.”
Mission: Operation Iraqi Freedom
Initiative: Prepare to invade Iraq

We meet the men of First Recon’s Bravo Company, and witness their immediate world of cramped tents, combat boredom, supply shortages (that sucks), clueless officers, facial hair regulations and a touch of home — rumors of Jennifer Lopez’s death.

Chance Kelly, star of Generation KillThe episode introduces five primary characters in the series, including Lt. Col. “Godfather” Ferrando (Chance Kelly, left), Team Leader Brad “Iceman” Colbert (Alexander Skarsgard) and Rolling Stone writer Evan Wright, nicknamed “Scribe” (and played by Oz’s Lee Tergesen).

Soon after a welcome surprise that breaks up the tense waiting game (let’s just say it’s food related), real movement begins… and the Iraqi border is ahead.

Join us to discuss after each episode.
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July 10th, 2008
Categories: On TV . Author: Norm Schrager

2 Comments

  1. Comment by cam on July 24, 2008 9:30 pm

    where the hell are the episodes

  2. Comment by Norm Schrager on July 24, 2008 10:10 pm

    - cam -

    Not sure what you mean. The rest of the episode summaries or the episodes themselves?

    -Norm S. (Meet In the Lobby)

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