SYNOPSIS:
During a barrage, Saunders is trapped
under a beam and the only man who can rescue him is Private Kogan. The scared Kogan
abandons Saunders as the enemy moves into town. Kogan tells the platoon that Saunders is
dead, but when they are ordered to recapture the village, Kogan returns to face Saunders
and try to save him.
REVIEW :
In "The Hard Way Back," teen idol Sal Mineo plays a terror-stricken
young private who is transformed into a reluctant hero. This episode features fine
performances by Vic Morrow and Sal Mineo.
Though their scenes are short, the squad's moments are memorable. Hanley and the
regulars' reactions upon hearing of Saunders' death are well and subtly played
especially Pierre Jalbert, whose silent, stunned reactions speak volumes. They all are
badly shaken by Saunders' death. When Hanley says, "All right. Settle down," to
Kogan, he is really saying it to himself and the rest of the squad.
The script by Edward J. Lakso is finely crafted. Sal Mineo's dialogue as he tells the
squad of Saunders' death is particularly well formed. As he stumbles through his words,
making things up as he goes, Kogan conveys what he means to say as clearly as what he
actually says. Desperately wanting to make sense of their loss, the squad inadvertently
feeds Kogan the details he needs to make his lies plausible.
Fans refer to this as a "beamer" episode: a plot device where you trap a
character under a beam for dramatic effect. Combat! used this device in five
episodes.
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CAST:
Vic
Morrow as Sgt. Saunders
Rick Jason as Lt. Hanley
Guest Star
Sal Mineo as Larry Kogan
Jack Hogan as Kirby
Conlan Carter as Doc
Pierre Jalbert as Caje
Erik
Holland as 1st German Soldier
Grant Lockwood as 2nd German Soldier
Ed Gilbert as German Captain
Martin Brandt as Old Frenchman
Robert Howard as German Lieutenant
Eric Forst as German Officer
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