Among the three series that make up theBand of Brothersfranchise, each show offers a few episodes that are truly outstanding, and could be some of the best TV episodes of all time. The franchise began back in 2001 whenBand of Brotherspremiered on HBO. The series, created by Steven Spielberg and Tom Hanks, tellsthe true story of Easy Company, a segment of the 101st Airborne Division in the U.S. Army during World War II. After receiving incredible acclaim,Band of Brothersexpanded into a franchise, releasing two more World War II-centered shows.
In 2010,Spielberg and Hanks reunited to createThe Pacific.This show centers on real men who served in the Pacific Theater during World War II. This series also earned notable praise from critics. 14 years later, the most recent installment in theBand of Brothersfranchise was released:Masters of the Air.This show follows the 100th Bomb Group as they fly dangerous missions over Europe during WWII. Overall, allthreeBand of Brothersshowshave and continue to impress audiences. However, there are a few episodes in particular that stand out.
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10Masters Of The Air Part Six
Rosenthal & Crosby Get A Break
One episode that comes to mind when thinking aboutMasters of the Air’sbest installments is “Part Six”. In this episode,Robert Rosenthaland Harry Crosby are sent to Oxford to get some rest and relaxation after a particularly arduous mission to Munster. This episode is unique because it shows two vastly different plotlines.While Rosenthal and Crosby are forced to take it easy from the fighting, John Egan is fighting for his lifeas a prisoner of war. In this way, this episode reveals how much soldiers' experiences could differ at that time.
One of the most striking moments fromMasters of the Air"Part Six" is when Egan and his fellow prisoners are paraded through a German town, where the citizens attack them.Though Egan manages to escape with his life, his peers are killedby the angry Germans. This scene shows just how emotional and intense this era of history was for everyone involved. Humanity had simply left many people. On the other hand, it is interesting to see how Crosby forms arelationship with Alessandra Westgatedue to their shared trauma.
9Points
Easy Company Sees The End Of The War
It is to be expected that theend ofBand of Brotherswould be a significant part of the overall series. In “Points,” theEasy Company wind down from a grueling and horrifying war. For the first time in many episodes, the men are able to laugh and relax as the fighting with the Germans finally comes to an end. Notably, the men raid Hitler’s Eagle’s Nest, which is definitely a momentous situation for the men. After risking their lives to take down the Nazi leader, they get to infiltrate his space.
An aspect of “Points” that is really interesting though is that the war isn’t completely over. Although the fighting in Europe is coming to an end, the men ofEasy Company are at risk of being sent to the Pacificto end the war with the Japanese. This fact clouds the general joy that the episode exudes. Just as the men feel dread at being sent to the Pacific, the audience also crosses their fingers that these men can go home. It offers a unique and bittersweet ending.
8Masters Of The Air Part Five
The Munster Raid
ThroughoutMasters of the Air,audiences get to see some truly intense battles in the air. None of them are as horrifying as theMunster Raid depicted inMasters of the Air"Part Five." In the fifth episode, the 100th Bomb Group are sent on yet another dangerous mission which will send them over Nazi territory. Already reeling from the loss of Buck Cleven, the men brace themselves for more deaths. Up in the air,the 100th is almost completely decimated. Only Rosenthal’s crew returns with his plane nearly destroyed.
This episode also showcases the incredible situations that Robert Rosenthal was able to get himself out of.
“Part Five” sheds light on how scary it was to be a part of the U.S. Army Air Forces during World War II.The show truly does not hold back in its depiction of the 100th’s planes getting damaged, destroyed, or barreling towards the ground. To watch it is to be immersed in the situation, and it is absolutely chilling. This episode also showcases the incredible situations that Robert Rosenthal was able to get himself out of. The fact that he was the only pilot to return to base camp shows just how talented (and lucky) he was.
7The Pacific Part Six
The Battle Of Peleliu
Yet another episode that focuses on a specific World War II battle isThe Pacific"Part Six." Like other episodes in theBand of Brothersfranchise, this installment splits its time between two characters: Robert Leckie and Eugene Sledge. As Leckie sustains a serious injury that puts his life at risk,Sledge is thrown into the infamous Battle of Peleliu. Both situations put audiences at the edge of their seat as they wait to see if both characters are able to make it out alive.
After co-starring inThe Pacific,Joe Mazzello and Rami Malek starred in the movie,Bohemian Rhapsody.
The Pacific"Part Six" is especially notable because of its attention to detail. Some ofthe greatest scenes in theBand of Brothersfranchise are those that thoroughly depict real battlesthat occurred during WWII. “Part Six” is a perfect example of this. This installment is painstaking in its portrayal of the Battle of Peleliu. Though audiences could easily look up the outcome of the battle, it is easy to become invested in the characters and their terrifying surroundings.
6The Breaking Point
Easy Company Suffers From The Worst Of The War
AlthoughBand of Brothersdepicts some truly awful moments for Easy Company, the seventh episode,“The Breaking Point,” may be one of the most troubling. In this episode, Easy Company is tasked with holding the town of Foy, Belgium. However, this isn’t very easy, as many of Easy Company’s men are wounded or killed. Meanwhile,Norman Dike lets down Easy Companyby freezing in the middle of an attack. Though Easy Company succeeds, the show asks: at what cost?
“The Breaking Point” is perfectly named becauseit really does feel like a breaking point for Easy Company. Though the men have been through countless tragedies together throughout the series, the seventh episode shows a true low point for the troop. They are cold, hungry, and constantly at risk of death. They must watch their peers sustain horrible injuries in the name of this seemingly never-ending war. Overall, this episode gets into the nitty-gritty of the war, both in terms of fighting and the external conditions.
5The Pacific Part Seven
Sledge Reaches His Breaking Point
In “Part Seven” ofThe Pacific,Sledge and his men continue the Battle of Peleliu. In particular, they must travel to Bloody Nose Ridge to face the Japanese head-on. WhileThe Pacificnever backs away from showing the intense violence of the Pacific Theater, “Part Seven” is definitely a stand-out. This battle is incredibly difficult and brutal. In fact, it is violent in ways that go beyond the fighting. Many of the men, including Snafu, seem to lose pieces of their humanity.
Faced with atrocities on all sides, Sledge is broken down by what he has done, what he has seen, and what is still to come.
What really makes this episode stand out is the changes that Sledge goes through. Sledge entered the war with an eagerness to fight. He badly wanted to join the Marines and aid his country in winning the war. However,“Part Seven” sees Sledge finally realizing the consequences of his actions. Faced with atrocities on all sides, Sledge is broken down by what he has done, what he has seen, and what is still to come. It is admirable to see Sledge’s empathy come out in full force, especially as his peers lean into their hatred for their enemy.
4Masters Of The Air Part Nine
The War Ends For The 100th
In thefinal episode ofMasters of the Air,the men of the 100th are separated, and thus, they each see the end of the war in different ways. Some ofthe most memorable storylines include Buck Cleven’s escape from Stalag Luft III, Rosenthal’s discovery of a concentration camp, and Egan’s rescue from being a prisoner of war. Altogether, this episode is still dark and tense, but the hope and joy that comes at the very end is unmatched. The men of the 100th finally got to sigh in relief.
Masters of the Airwas based on a book of the same name by Donald L. Miller.
The aspects of “Part Nine” that stand out the most are the scenes of hope. For example, when John Egan and his fellow prisoners of war are saved by Allied Forces,Egan climbs a flagpole at the camp and raises the American flag. This is a moment that is heartwarming and emotional. There is also the scene in which the 100th drops food over starving European civilians, which is another moment that is much-needed after the gore of war. Ultimately, “Part Nine” gives the 100th the happy ending they deserve.
3Bastogne
Easy Company Fights In The Snow
One of the most striking episodes ofBand of Brothersis “Bastogne.“In this episode, Easy Company is stationed in the snowy woods of France. For the most part,the installment focuses on Eugene Roe, Easy Company’s medic. Throughout the episode, Roe attempts to help his men as much as he can, even as the injuries and damage grows worse and worse. Meanwhile, Roe forms a relationship with a Belgian nurse who suffers from a tragic fate.
What makes “Bastogne” so great is the way it differsfrom previous episodes ofBand of Brothers.While the war drama benefits from its talented ensemble cast, the series really makes the most of its actors by narrowing in on certain characters. Roe is a particularly intriguing character because he has different motivations than the other men in Easy Company. He is looking to heal, not kill, and this puts him in a uniquely powerful yet vulnerable position. “Bastogne” amplifies the desperation of Easy Company, and the speed at which lives can be lost.
2The Pacific Part Nine
Sledge’s War-Torn Transformation
Though not the final episode of the series,The Pacific"Part Nine” is probably the most climactic moment of the series. In this episode, Sledge and his fellow soldiers arrive in Okinawa ready to fight. Though previous episodes saw Sledge showing compassion for the enemy, “Part Nine” completely turns the tables on Sledge. The character is no longer an idealist, but a hardened cynic. He shows no mercy, even as the horrors of the war are increased. It is a difficult watch, especially because of its threads of truth.
It becomes achingly clear that war has destroyed who Sledge used to be.
Once again, this episode’s greatest strength is its depiction of real battles.The Pacific’sunflinching portrayal of the Battle of Okinawa is chilling, but also informative. Audiences feel as though they are right there in the battle, seeing everything through new eyes. This episode also stands out because of Sledge. It becomes achingly clear that war has destroyed who Sledge used to be. In this way, “Part Nine” lays out the show’s main message of war’s heartrending effects.
1Why We Fight
Easy Company Finds A Concentration Camp
Above all,the most memorable episode of theBand of Brothersfranchise is “Why We Fight.“In the penultimate episode of the war drama, Easy Company invades Germany and discovers the extent of the Nazi war crimes. In particular, the men stumble upon a concentration camp full of Jewish survivors, but also, the dead. The men, having no clue about what the Nazis were up to, are horrified and emotional. They help the survivors as much as they can, while dealing with their own complicated thoughts and feelings.
“Why We Fight” is so pivotal because it is the most brutal portrayal of World War II. While the battles and deaths are certainly shocking, the concentration camp is this episode goes above and beyond truthful storytelling. The series does not back down or hold the audiences' hand.In “Why We Fight,” viewers are subjected to the same horrorsas Easy Company. In this way,Band of Brothersforces its audience to understand the true extent of World War II, and this makes it incredibly important.
Band of Brothers
Cast
Band of Brothers is a 2001 HBO miniseries chronicling Easy Company’s experiences from paratrooper training to World War II’s end. It portrays their participation in pivotal battles such as D-Day and the Battle of the Bulge, based on Stephen E. Ambrose’s book and first-hand accounts from surviving members.
