Review
"Reunion," by Art Wallace, is the type of plot we see little of in
Combat!--a love story. In this delicately crafted script, an American soldier is reunited
with his estranged French father after a seventeen year separation. It's a happy meeting
for both, with the bonds of love easily re-established despite the passage of time. But
the war intervenes to separate them once again -- the French resistance arrests his father
as a suspected collaborator just as Paul must return to his unit to face a German advance.
Later, when Paul is trapped in the German occupied town with a wounded Saunders, he
turns to his father for help. At first his father refuses, but ultimately accepts the
soldiers and treats Saunders' wounds. As Paul waits in hiding, he begins to question
whether his father really is a collaborator and if he has risked both his and Saunders'
life in trusting to this father he barely knows. "Reunion" is a brilliantly
written story of love, trust, suspicion, betrayal, and forgiveness.
Guest stars Will Kuluva as Dr. Emile Villette and Chris Robinson as Paul Villette both
give remarkable performances. Their scenes together are touching and poignant, especially
their first meeting. It would be easy for actors to overplay the emotionally-charged
scenes and make them maudlin, but these two fine actors portray the many levels of
emotions with dignity and strength. Morrow is superb as Saunders in this episode. Wounded
for much of the story, he still offers support to this soldier under his charge.
Thankfully, no PPTs here. Just quiet strength, even when he's about to pass out on his
feet. It's interesting that one of the few times the word "love" is used in this
strongly male-oriented show, the love expressed is a son's love for his father.
Chris Robinson, Vic Morrow, Angela Clarke
Notes, Oddities, and Bloopers
- Can't the closing credit people get together with the production people? The problem
seemed to be fixed by second season, but several of the first season credits are
incorrect. The character names are "Villette" in the show, but are credited as
"Villers". Credits also list a Colonel Hoffman. But no Colonel appears in the
episode, though a Lieutenant and a Captain have featured speaking roles. Which of these is
the actor incorrectly credited as Colonel Hoffman is anyone's guess.
- Why does Paul leave his M1 behind? He should have been carrying both Saunders' Thompson
and his own rifle.
- Nice fog all around the squad that's dug in ... except the fog doesn't manage to get to
the squad, it's just all around them wherever they look.
Emile Genest, Will Kuluva
Cast Credits
Vic Morrow
as Sgt. Saunders
Rick Jason
as Lt. Hanley
[NOTE: Jason does not appear in episode]
Will Kuluva as Emile Villers
Chris Robinson as Paul Villers
Steven Rogers as Doc
Pierre Jalbert as Caje
Dick Peabody as Littlejohn
Angela Clarke ..... Claire Bouchard
Fifi D'Orsay ..... Mme. Fouquet
Emile Genest ..... Henri Fouquet
Henry Rowland ..... Colonel Hoffman